The latest construction news from around the globe…
Catch up on what’s going on in construction this week. From an update on the World of Concrete conference to the top women-designed landscapes in the US, we’ve got you covered on all the industry news from around the world.’
WATCH: Bricklaying Robot Builds House in Under Two Weeks
In what might be the UK’s first house built by a bricklaying robot, Pocklington-based Construction Automation has officially broken ground on a 3-bedroom home in Yorkshire. The house is will feature about 10,000 bricks and will require only two human workers, one to load the bricks into the machine and the other to install tie bars. See the bricklaying machine in action here.
What SMB Owners Need to Know About Pandemic Recovery
Hear from Jas Saraw, VP of Canada at Procore Technologies, to get his thoughts on the state of the industry and his advice to small business owners during these challenging times. Overall, Saraw asserts that we’re living in a new normal and that these new safety protocols are here for the long haul.
World of Concrete Conference Officially Delayed to 2021
After months of deliberation between key stakeholders, it was announced that the World of Concrete conference has been rescheduled to June 2021. This is the first time in the conference’s 46 year history that it has had to be postponed. The event’s organizers are hopeful that the new dates will provide attendees with the necessary time to plan safely and effectively.
Why Medium and Large Construction Projects Have Fared Better Amidst the Pandemic
Per a recent report from Procore Technologies, not all projects have been impacted the same by the pandemic. While the productivity of small projects has taken a hit, hours worked on medium and large construction projects have been less volatile. Although small projects have suffered the most, it should be noted that these projects have come back faster and are now almost caught up with large projects.
Top Women-Designed Landscapes in the US
Earlier this week the Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF), a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit, released its 2020 edition of Landslide, an annual in-depth report that details a geographically diverse list of at-risk landscapes designed by women. The 12 landscapes highlighted by the report are all thematically linked however, they all differ in terms of the threats they each face. Take a look at the full list here.
How Buildr is Bettering Project Closeout
For many people, project closeout tends to be one of the worst parts of the job, the paperwork alone can be headache-inducing, and yet closeout is still a vital part of the construction lifecycle. However, Buildr a post-construction platform is trying to make the closeout process simpler and more efficient. Shane Hedmond, a founder of Construction Junkie, recently sat down with one of the Co-Founders of Buildr, Caleb Taylor, to learn more about the online platform. Check out their video interview here.
Los Angeles-Based Carpentry Union Announces New Committee to Prevent Worker Suicides
Workers in the construction industry are known to suffer immensely from mental health issues and have one of the highest rates of suicide among major industry groups. Now, the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters (SWRCC), a 55,000-member labor union, is taking a stand against mental illness by forming the Brotherhood Outreach for Strength and Support (BOSS) Committee. Once fully established, the committee will provide wellness workshops, educate workers about psychological safety, and raise public awareness.
Major Red Tape Cut for Airport Projects in the United States
Aiming to expedite runway upgrades and other airport infrastructure, the US House of Representatives passed a bill last week that would encourage airport incentive payments to contractors. The ACG has come out in support of this bill as well as the Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) and the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE).
How Contech Can Help Future-Proof Construction
A new report from McKinsey & Company recently found that the majority of business executives believe COVID-19 will fundamentally alter the way business is done over the next five years. In order for the construction industry to adapt to the “new normal” it must embrace and invest in innovation. With the increase of remote work and social distancing guidelines, rapid technology adoption will be paramount to the industry’s ability to future-proof itself.
This Company Wants to 3D Print Houses on the Moon
If you have an extra moment, check out this article about ICON, a developer of construction technologies, and its plans to 3D print housing in outer space. According to Construction Canada, the developer was recently awarded a government contract from NASA to begin research and development of a space-based construction system that could support future exploration of the Moon.
This was just an appetizer. Are you ready for the full course?
Dive into more business news, check out the latest tech trends, and get a couple quick tips from our safety section. And as always, check back in next Friday for the most up to date feature of The Weekly Grind!
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