Contributing more than one-third of the world’s carbon emissions, the built environment urgently needs to find new and cleaner ways to deliver the homes and other buildings we need. Might newly developed technologies such as ‘living building materials’ be the answer?
Business information modeling (BIM) revolutionised the construction industry when it first came on the scene, enabling designers and contractors to get a unique digital view of their projects. Can openBIM, which promises users better access to digital files, better management of data and improved interoperability, do the same?
The advent of the computer saw construction’s potential take a leap forward with CAD and BIM. Now advances in computational design are helping the industry—from architects to on-site contractors—deliver better buildings more efficiently.
The construction sector uses a lot of water, not least in the manufacture of essential materials like concrete and mortar. As the world confronts a looming climate crisis, what does the industry need to do to manage its water usage more effectively when delivering the homes and other buildings society needs?
Bluebeam is increasingly being used by public sector organisations in the US. Built UK spoke to the supervising building inspector for plan reviews for Merced County in California about why his team made the switch to Bluebeam and what the software has done to transform the way his team can respond to the needs of local people.
The word ‘backlog’ summons up images of work being held up, delays and pressure. But in construction a backlog can be a good thing because it can show a potential client that a contractor is in demand. However, it’s not always simple.
The construction industry is constantly looking for new ways to improve, whether that’s in terms of productivity, efficiency, safety or profitability. Would increased use of artificial intelligence and machine learning be the way to deliver these enhanced efficiencies?
The safety of workers on building sites is paramount. Protective clothing has moved on from basic boots, hard hats and gloves to garments featuring high spec technology.
The UK generates enormous quantities of construction waste; in 2018, such waste amounted to 138 million tonnes. By designing and building better, the sector hopes to reduce the amount of materials needed—and waste generated.
Bridging the gap between reality and the virtual world is the job of the metaverse. Can construction harness this latest development in digital technology?
The construction sector’s productivity challenges are well known. The advent of the Internet of Things—part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution—could see the industry’s processes and resulting buildings become more efficient.
Women are making inroads in construction, filling roles across the industry from project managers to architects. Built spoke to Afsheen Ul Haq, a forensic and risk planning manager at BAM, to hear about her route into the sector and the challenges for women in the industry.
Current economic conditions appear likely to squeeze the construction sector harder than ever. But many firms are adopting lean construction methods to offer customers better value, create more efficient workflows and eradicate waste.
Cities across the globe have experienced urban blight, where districts that have seen a significant downturn in fortunes are abandoned, residential and business properties left vacant. Responding to this change in fortunes is becoming an industry in itself.
The UK is facing a near-perfect storm of economic headwinds, fuelled by inflation, rising interest rates and slumping demand. Construction firms, which face higher energy costs and rising prices for essential materials, can weather this, but it’s going to be tough.
