One word can describe the construction industry in 2022: resilient.
From lingering supply chain bottlenecks initiated by the COVID-19 pandemic to a massive worker shortage to fresh economic tribulations on the heels of historically high inflation and tightening monetary policy, 2022 was a year of overcoming headwinds on multiple fronts for those who work in architecture, engineering and construction.
Nevertheless, the industry remained resilient through it all, continuing to innovate and build a world that is constantly evolving amid a tremendous era of rapid change and experimentation.
The Built stories that were most popular in 2022 reflect this sentiment. Volatile building materials prices, namely wood, took top honors. Not only was our February story about spiking lumber prices the most-visited story on Built for 2022—it was the most-viewed story in Built’s young history.
Historic building conversions, innovative stadium designs and, of course, explorations of new and powerful ways to use Bluebeam rounded out this year’s top 10 stories.
Why Lumber Prices Are Sky High—Again: The price of the essential building material has been on a wild ride since the pandemic began. What’s behind the most recent spike?
Go Inside the Spectacular Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London: The world’s first dividing pitch and long-term home to NFL London faced complex engineering and building challenges during its construction.
This Former Ironworks Building Is Now a Quaint Philadelphia Hotel. Go Inside: The Residence Inn, as part of the new Ironworks building, seamlessly straddles the line between modernity and history.
Can Bamboo Construction Replace Timber and Steel?: Bamboo checks many of the boxes of an eco-friendly material, so some researchers are testing the material’s commercial viability in construction.
How to Use Revu for Sketching: Custom templates, toolsets and markup tools make Revu ideal for sketching.
Brutalist Architecture: Dividing Observers Since the Mid-20th Century: The hulking, monolithic concrete structures are assailed by critics as grim and inhuman, while impassioned supporters say the style has been misunderstood.
Are Malls Dying? It’s Complicated: Physical, brick-and-mortar shopping malls have been declared ‘dead’ time and again, but their real future is more complicated for builders.
The Most In-Demand Construction Materials Right Now: Shortages are pervasive across the industry, but experts say these materials are especially hard to come by—and may be for some time.
How the Empire State Building’s Construction Remains a Wonder: The iconic Manhattan skyscraper took just 20 months to design and build, igniting a bevy of industry best practices as well as many that may never be replicated.
