Sat.Aug 24, 2024 - Fri.Aug 30, 2024

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From Helsinki to Beirut – the Many Lives of a Finnish Pine

Civil + Structural Engineer

Ralph I. Hage On a late summer’s day in 2019, an engineer stood in an open courtyard of a project he was managing and stared up at the sky. In that period of time, Lebanon was in the midst of national protests, an economic crisis, and a rapidly devaluing currency – options were limited. The engineer looked back down to Earth and turned towards his bewildered foreman and said, “I’ve found the solution”.

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The 9 largest commercial construction starts of July 2024

Construction Dive

Total groundbreakings for the month jumped 10% ahead of the Fed’s likely rate cut, according to Dodge Construction Network.

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Housing Inventory May Be Increasing, but the Deterioration of Existing Homes Remains an Issue

The Pro Builder

The physical condition of many existing homes across the U.S. is deteriorating due to ongoing affordability issues faced by lower-income homeowners. According to a recent study from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, housing conditions are inadequate in many places across the U.S., and there's a lack of funding from home repair assistance programs available to fix them.

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Architectural Origins, Educations and Risks; A Conversation with Steven Holl and Ed Weinstein, Part 1

Build LLC Blog

BUILD talks with Steven Holl and Ed Weinstein about their humble beginnings, their common educational paths, and the life experiences that produced two distinctively successful architecture practices. The post Architectural Origins, Educations and Risks; A Conversation with Steven Holl and Ed Weinstein, Part 1 appeared first on BUILD Blog.

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How Top Firms Protect Margins in Costly Construction Markets

Construction companies face shifting labor markets, volatile material pricing, and global supply chain disruptions that threaten profitability. This guide details how industry leaders are replacing outdated budgeting with incremental funding, adopting regional procurement, and using digital tools for real-time financial oversight. Learn how to deploy workforce agility, connected jobsite monitoring, automated procurement, and cost simulation models to preserve margin stability.

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Skanska completes £450M enabling works at Euston to prepare for new HS2 station

New Civil Engineer

Skanska has completed £450M of enabling works at Euston station in preparation for the new High Speed 2 (HS2) London terminus, which remains unfunded. The post Skanska completes £450M enabling works at Euston to prepare for new HS2 station appeared first on New Civil Engineer.

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Policy and benefit trends

Civil + Structural Engineer

By Will Swearingen, Chief Data Officer, Zweig Group From The Zweig Letter The latest data highlights key trends in AEC policies, emphasizing pay, remote work, and transparency for growth. The key to growing your firm and reaching your strategic goals often rests with the quality of your employees, and the quality of your firm’s policies, procedures, and benefits is critical to hiring and retaining a top-notch workforce.

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Building Codes and Adaptive Reuse: Ensuring Safety and Health While Meeting Housing Needs

The Pro Builder

Converting nonresidential buildings into multifamily units increases the number of attainable homes in a community, and building codes play a critical role in that process

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Kingspan settles in cladding compensation test case

Construction News

Cladding manufacturer Kingspan has settled a court case that would have tested a new law extending the range of legal claims that contractors can make against cladding manufacturers, Construction News can reveal. Kingspan was among 11 companies facing claims totalling £70m from Shepherd Construction in… The post Kingspan settles in cladding compensation test case appeared first on Construction News.

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Solar cell manufacturer halts $400M Colorado plant

Construction Dive

Meyer Burger planned to convert an Intel semiconductor plant in Colorado Springs, Colorado, into a solar cell facility.

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The Constructor's Digital Transformation Playbook: Reducing Risk With Technology

Speaker: Dylan Secrest

Construction projects are high-stakes operations where even minor inefficiencies can lead to costly delays, safety concerns, and budget overruns. Managing risk in construction has always been a challenge, but as projects grow in complexity, traditional methods no longer cut it. Enter Digital Transformation - a game changer approach that replaces inefficiency with AI-powered analytics, real-time monitoring, and automated workflows to proactively manage risk.

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Lord Hendy forced Systra to sack engineer for raising concerns about crowd crush at Euston station

New Civil Engineer

Rail minister and former Network Rail chair Lord Hendy had an engineer at Systra sacked by threatening to withdraw business from the consultancy unless action was taken after the employee publicly commented on safety concerns at Euston station. The post Lord Hendy forced Systra to sack engineer for raising concerns about crowd crush at Euston station appeared first on New Civil Engineer.

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Single-Family Build Time Grew in 2023

The Pro Builder

The amount of time it takes to build a single-family home is increasing. In 2023, the average time to complete a single-family house was 10.1 months, with 1.5 months spent on obtaining authorization and 8.6 months on construction, according to the National Association of Home Builders’ Eye On Housing blog. Since 2015, the time from permit to completion has increased by nearly three months, primarily due to stricter regulations, supply-chain issues, and a shortage of skilled labor.

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Construction Business Continuity - From Labor To Legacy

Contractor Bookkeeping

We often overlook the immense value that construction contractors bring to our communities. From building our homes and schools to developing infrastructure and commercial spaces, construction contractors like you play a vital role in shaping our world. Your contributions are undeniably essential, yet they often go unrecognized. This Labor Day weekend, it's time to shed light on your significant impact on our everyday lives.

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How Gilbane used an AI tool to track 21,000 documents

Construction Dive

The Providence, Rhode Island-based contractor leveraged Trunk Tools’ artificial intelligence program to prevent costly rework and save time and money.

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Avoiding Lease Accounting Pitfalls in 2025: Lessons Learned from Spreadsheet Errors

Speaker: Abdi Ali, Sr. Lease Accounting Consultant

Join this insightful webinar with industry expert Abdi Ali, who will discuss the challenges that can arise from managing lease accounting with spreadsheets! He will share real-world examples of errors, compliance issues, and risks that may be present within your spreadsheets. Learn how these tools, while useful, can sometimes lead to inefficiencies that affect your time, resources, and peace of mind.

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Turkish takeover for Irish materials group

The Construction Index

A Turkish building materials company has agreed the majority acquisition of Mannok, the building materials group formerly called Quinn.

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Simplified Installation with Perspective Multi-Slide Patio Doors

The Pro Builder

Our Perspective Multi-Slide Patio Doors are designed with the installer in mind. With predrilled holes, color-coded packaging, and integrated internal parts, installation is quicker and easier. Watch our technical features video to see how these innovations make your job easier.

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How to Ensure Construction Business Growth in Staff Shortages

AEC Business

How can construction firms confidently bid on projects amid looming staff shortages? They must enhance productivity across every aspect of the process, including the strategic adoption of digital tools. The post How to Ensure Construction Business Growth in Staff Shortages appeared first on AEC Business.

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Low-carbon materials a ‘huge opportunity’ to green the transportation sector

Construction Dive

The DOT is releasing $800 million to reimburse builders for using cleaner construction products, Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt told Construction Dive.

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Every Contractor Needs An Effective Website - Unlock the Key to Increased Leads

Grow Leads & Visibility! Contractors need more than word-of-mouth. A strong website boosts visibility, draws in leads, showcases skills, and enhances your credibility. Learn how a quality site, that is easy to manage, can set you apart from the competition, and help can take your construction business to the next level. Marketpath is a leading provider of high-quality website solutions tailored for contractors and the construction industry.

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Dagenham fire provides timely cladding reminder

The Construction Index

A week before publication of the final report of the official Grenfell Tower Inquiry, investigations have begun into the role of rain screen cladding in the spread of another tower block fire in the capital.

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Single-Family Build-to-Rent Home Starts Grew During Q2 2024

The Pro Builder

As builders aim to meet the growing demand for rental housing, the construction of single-family build-to-rent (B2R) homes increased in Q2 2024. According to the National Association of Home Builders’ Eye On Housing blog, there were approximately 23,000 B2R home starts during this time, which is nearly 10% more than the same period in 2023. Over the past year, 83,000 such homes were started, compared with 69,000 starts last year.

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The timeline of work done on fire-hit Dagenham residential block

Construction News

The London Fire Brigade has announced an investigation into the Bank Holiday weekend blaze at the Spectrum Building in Chadwell Heath, east London. Construction News has pieced together a history of the building from planning documents. Circa 1973: The part-five-part-six-storey office building is built on… The post The timeline of work done on fire-hit Dagenham residential block appeared first on Construction News.

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$2.9B San Francisco airport project finally takes off

Construction Dive

After years of pandemic-related delays, the team has begun adding 200,000 square feet of additional space, security checkpoints and new passenger amenities.

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How AI Reduces Cost, Safety, and Quality Risks in Construction Projects

Risk management in construction faces pressure from tighter margins, compressed timelines, and increasing complexity. This guide shows how AI strengthens project stability by predicting risks across cost, schedule, safety, supply chains, and workforce planning. AI algorithms analyze procurement data, subcontractor bids, equipment performance, and site conditions to identify potential disruptions.

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UK house-building starts fall 34%

The Construction Index

House-building figures published by the Office for National Statistics this morning show a significant fall in new housing completions and an even bigger fall in new starts.

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Can Factory-Built Homes Help Solve the U.S. Housing Crisis?

The Pro Builder

With many contributing factors—such as high home prices, a lack of construction workers, and harsh zoning regulations—the U.S. housing crisis can be a tough puzzle to crack. While there is no one solution that can solve all of these issues, there are some innovative building approaches that are helping to mitigate these challenges. According to Multi-Housing News, one of these approaches comes in the form of factory-built homes.

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Paralympian forced to ‘crawl off’ King’s Cross train spotlights need for level boarding

New Civil Engineer

Paralympian and member of the House of Lords Tanni Grey-Thompson was forced to “crawl off” a London North Eastern Railway (LNER) train at King’s Cross station, leading to criticism from disability campaigners and calls for greater focus on level boarding for accessibility. The post Paralympian forced to ‘crawl off’ King’s Cross train spotlights need for level boarding appeared first on New Civil Engineer.

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Battery energy storage systems will help power the future

Construction Dive

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are revolutionizing renewable energy by stabilizing power grids and managing the push and pull of power for a more reliable and sustainable future.

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The Ultimate Guide To Data-Driven Construction: Optimize Projects, Reduce Risks, & Boost Innovation

Speaker: Donna Laquidara-Carr, PhD, LEED AP, Industry Insights Research Director at Dodge Construction Network

In today’s construction market, owners, construction managers, and contractors must navigate increasing challenges, from cost management to project delays. Fortunately, digital tools now offer valuable insights to help mitigate these risks. However, the sheer volume of tools and the complexity of leveraging their data effectively can be daunting. That’s where data-driven construction comes in.

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Construction industry gets its Grenfell defence in first

The Construction Index

The Construction Leadership Council has produced a paper explaining how much – and how little – the industry has changed since the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire.

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Unsold Inventory Dips Across Major Housing Markets

The Pro Builder

Unsold inventory across major housing markets seems to have peaked for the season. According to real estate data platform Altos Research, unsold inventory across key housing markets—namely in Texas and Florida—has declined. This is likely due to falling interest rates and rising withdrawals, with Altos Research reporting approximately 30 to 35,000 withdrawals over the past few weeks, compared with 25,000 during the same time last year.

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Ram unveils Lunar Edition Power Wagon and Rebel HD Pickups

Equipment World

The sport trucks will get a moon-inspired Ceramic Grey color, added tech and other unique interior and exterior features. Details at Equipment World.

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