Author: Constructech Editors
In London and many other cities, an apartment is called a flat. In Wyoming Mich., some new condos might be known that way, as well, for the development they are in is the Reserve Flats. In fact, folks are moving in to their “flats” in the Flats while other buildings are still under construction. The Granger Group recently welcomed their first tenants to a new multifamily development called Reserve Flats, a 138-unit community being built by Grand Rapids-based contractor Orion Construction. Reserve Flats features 26 condo-style apartments ranging from three-units to eight-units per building. Spread over 22 acres, the project…
One of the first articles of wearing apparel a new construction worker buys is a pair of well-fitting, often steel toed work shoes, this is also one of the best ways to ensure safety on the jobsite. Without good shoes, a worker could end up injured on the job by slipping or having material drop on the feet. Work shoes are more, much more, than footwear; they are survival gear for the feet. Several well-known shoe companies make work shoes for harsh environments like construction. Even better, companies that are well-known in the construction field also offer specialized work shoes.…
Autonomous vehicles require the ability to react to conditions as fast and as accurately as a human in the same situation. Machine learning and artificial intelligence are being explored to make this happen, but each requires extensive computer power, immediately available. As with many new technologies, there are issues beyond the adoption by OEMs (original-equipment manufacturers). One is regulation and the current status regarding autonomous vehicles can be summed up in one word: confusing. With few policies at the state and federal level regarding automated vehicles, the AASHTO (American Assn. of State Highway and Transportation Officials) wants to see a…
For decades, automobile manufacturers have touted the benefits of multiple models on a single “platform.” Technology vendors similarly talk about their “platform” instead of their individual programs or apps. The underlying kernel can be used to layer a variety of applications on top to perform a number of different functions while assuring integration among those applications. In the construction technology field, Topcon Positioning Group is a good example of using its platform across a number of functions. Its MC-Max machine-control solution, based on the MC-X machine-control platform, and backed by Sitelink3D — the company’s real-time, cloud-based data management ecosystem —is a…
In the effort to find easy ways consumers can have an impact on the environment, the carpenter’s motto, “Measure twice, cut once,” has taken hold. Measuring the benefits of individual changes can point up their value with solid numbers. Naturally, companies are eager to help. And that doesn’t just mean hardware companies; technology companies focused on the soft side of the industry are showing interest in collaboration with the firms that are demonstrating ways to avoid the elements that contribute to climate change, mainly carbon emissions. For example, Acuity Brands has a goal to avoid 100 million metric tons of carbon emissions as a result of…
With buildings, the concept of “recycling” usually means “tear it down and put something new on the lot.” However, demolition creates more than 90% of the waste generated by new building construction, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The debris might be recycled but there are other choices. For example, some see a future in turning dormant office buildings and similar structures into apartments through “adaptive reuse.” One such company is LA-based architecture firm Omgivning, which specializes in adaptive reuse. Omgivning has been working on adaptive reuse projects in LA and is currently involved in plans to turn the shuttered Boyle Heights Sears Building…
As attention gets paid to the climate crisis looming over our future, construction is among the industries often pointed to as having severe problems. Within the construction field, concrete is a major target for limiting or eliminating CO2 emissions. From research facilities to field operations, work is being done, partnerships are being developed, and new methods and products are resulting. For example, CarbonBuilt and Master Builders Solutions are collaborating on the development of admixtures for use with CarbonBuilt’s low-cost, low carbon technology platform. Master Builders Solutions comprehensive portfolio encompasses concrete admixtures, cement additives, chemical solutions for underground construction, waterproofing systems, concrete repair,…
We sometimes lose sight of the fact that not all plans are reviewed and used in digital form on jobsites. Yes, blueprints still exist and are found on jobsites across the country. In fact, approximately 95% of contractors use drawings or blueprints for daily work. But plans aren’t the only paper still found on the job, and forms, requests, prints, and change orders are critical whether paper or bytes. Until now, there has been no mobile construction-grade tabletop available on the market that can ease the use of blueprints and other paper on the job and could provide a way…
Soil compactors can be run by operators with varying degrees of experience and training. Journeymen and apprentices alike get in the seat and the results are often quite different. Trimble Construction sees this as an opportunity to showcase its technology. Trimble has introduced Horizontal Steering Control functionality on the Trimble Earthworks Grade Control Platform for Soil Compactors, the industry’s first automatic steering control solution for soil compactors and the next step towards Trimble’s autonomous vehicle vision. Trimble Earthwork’s Horizontal Steering Control automatically steers a soil compactor using a 3D model or compaction pass line. This helps to improve compaction productivity…
The concept of the smart home has been around since the 1950s, at least. Automate everything, control everything, make everything responsive to the owner’s whim. Tell the controller what you want, and it will do your bidding. In fact, the smart speaker is the latest device to shape the future of the intelligent home. Smart speakers offer users easy access to a variety of information and entertainment, as well as home control features, through voice interaction. Artificial intelligence and cloud computing typically lie at the heart of their capabilities. Following the launch of Amazon’s Echo, many other vendors entered the…