December 18, 2018
Building information modeling (BIM) is not just a tool. It’s the first stepping stone in what will likely be labeled a paradigm shift for building design in the future. For a brief refresher, BIM is almost universally used in design, construction, and engineering. In fact, over 80% of all construction ▸
December 12, 2018
The coming of age of millennials and Gen Z is redefining the design of multifamily housing and apartment buildings. These generations are seeking living environments that address their values and lifestyle preferences such as co-living arrangements, emphasis on social space, rise of the sharing economy, and the prioritization of convenience. ▸
December 5, 2018
The landscape for construction is evolving with more commercial projects moving to design-build models that use cutting-edge technology like drones, integrated software, the internet of things (IoT), clash detection, and 3D laser scanning. BIM (Building Information Modeling) is one of those tools that, as we have seen in many projects ▸
November 26, 2018
The development of mixed-use spaces has become the focus of many architects and developers since urbanization and increased demand for downtown conduction is taking place in many cities. This trend is remaking the fabric of urban areas and bringing many neighborhoods back to life with social and economic activities. What ▸
November 9, 2018
It is a common mistake when designing for a new commercial space to overlook the design of the exterior of your building. Focusing on updating your office space to fit your growing needs or improving your store layout to better attract customers is definitely important, but overlooking your building’s exterior ▸
October 17, 2018
Heavy timber construction is a traditional building style that uses large heavy sawn timbers for structural framing. This building style has been around for quite some time. In fact, some timber framed buildings in Europe were constructed over 500 years ago and are still standing today. Until recently, the role ▸
September 3, 2018
The move to greener methods of building engineering in recent decades caused major changes in construction, from materials to methods. Leaner processes designed to reduce carbon footprints have led to the addition of new technologies and designs. Positive results in both energy conservation and environmental impact have spurred new policies. ▸
August 24, 2018
The design-build and construction industry is always evolving. Both processes and the materials that go into those processes are constantly being evaluated to create more effective and efficient outcomes. “Super materials” have multifunctional traits, meaning they can give a building the power to clean the environment, repair itself, and much ▸
July 30, 2018
Recent technological innovations have allowed academic researchers and cutting-edge manufacturers to utilize the science (and art) of biomimicry to its fullest potential. It might just hold the key to unlocking a vastly improved, sustainably built environment for commercial construction. Before diving into the applications and benefits for the design-build and ▸
July 16, 2018
What is “Self-Performing”? Buzzwords abound, and “self-performing” is one to become familiar with. When a contractor is hired to self-perform, it means that they will provide their direct employees to complete a portion of the construction (e.g. concrete work, steel framing, carpentry, or another specialty). Hiring a contractor to self-perform ▸
May 14, 2018
High-definition surveying (HDS), or “laser scanning,” is a new method used by integrated design-build firms to capture a highly detailed 3D image of a construction project. Instead of using cameras to capture this virtual image, lasers (which are much more accurate) are employed. Companies such as Faro and Leica Geosystems ▸
April 25, 2018
Employees spend the majority of their days in the office and as a result, the office environment has a big impact on well-being and productivity. It’s important that companies invest in workplace designs that enhance the employee experience, which can help improve the quality of their work while increasing employee ▸
April 18, 2018
Every year the Pantone Color Institute will tell us what color will be trending in all things related to graphic design, paint, fabrics, plastics, and more. Pantone is the industry standard for color matching in all things design related. Wondering what the color of the year is for 2018? It’s ▸
April 11, 2018
Have you ever received an impressive building design, but then you saw the cost and did a double-take? Was there an extra zero in there? Maybe 2 extra zeros? Research that assessed over 350 projects of varying size showed that when design-build was used over design-bid-build, project cost was 6.1% ▸
April 9, 2018
From a building owner’s perspective, the goal is to create a safe and efficient building. From a property manager’s perspective, the goal is to ensure residents are satisfied with their living space. How can the two perspectives be better integrated? By instituting a formal resident feedback process. In our world ▸