Construction
Rob McManamy
DEWALT shifts to solve jobsite WiFi woes

Yesterday, DEWALT, accompanied by Procore, announced their new WiFi Mesh, which promises to increase wireless connectivity on the jobsite. We talked to two DEWALT executives about the new product — here's what they had to say.

DEWALT shifts to solve jobsite WiFi woes
Architecture + Design
Rob McManamy
Data-driven design propelling collaboration

"Data-driven design" suggests an impersonal, robotic process that replaces human creativity with cold numbers. But at our latest BuildIdeas Breakfast, we learned from IBM Watson and Detroit Mercy Hospital that it can mean greater customer satisfaction.

Data-driven design propelling collaboration
Business
Rob McManamy
Hawaii, Vermont, RI see clean energy surge

Despite wavering venture investment, the clean energy market is still growing from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Here, the annual Clean Energy Trust Challenge gives us a welcome opportunity to check in on multiple, vibrant efforts to implement power innovation.

Hawaii, Vermont, RI see clean energy surge
Cities
Rob McManamy
Cities, data drive BW Summit conversations

If cities will yield the richest data upon which tomorrow's most consequential decisions will be based, then it is no surprise they were a recurring topic at last week's BuiltWorlds Summit. To see some of the actionable insights that were shared, read on.

Cities, data drive BW Summit conversations
Architecture + Design
Rob McManamy
Obamas unveil Presidential Center design

Just days after the former First Lady urged architects not to neglect inner cities, she and her husband came home to Chicago this week to reveal their vision for a $500-million community hub that they hope will reinvigorate a long-struggling community.   

Obamas unveil Presidential Center design

Arup

Hyperloop One sees 11 possible US routes

Hyperloop One sees 11 possible US routes

Propelled by such disruptors as Elon Musk and Peter Diamandis, and backed by firms like AECOM, ARUP, Parsons, and BIG, the dream of swift ground transport across vast distances may be within reach. Here's the latest on Hyperloop One's global challenge.

World Econ Forum urges AEC innovation

World Econ Forum urges AEC innovation

Sometimes, it's not the message, but the messenger, that turns heads. Such may be the case with new research from the World Economic Forum that highlights cutting-edge innovation and makes policy recommendations, all part of its Future of Construction Initiative.

Jen Suerth pushing technology in construction

Jen Suerth pushing technology in construction

While other young girls were playing with Barbies, Jen Suerth was designing the dolls' homes. This VP of technical services at Pepper Construction has always had a passion for design and building, and, through her experiences, she's become passionate in technology, specifically when it comes to leveraging it for the industry. 

Avery Bang: A bridge-builder in every sense

Avery Bang: A bridge-builder in every sense

Bang's big theory. At 32, she has already won more accolades than most of us will compile in a lifetime. But as one of the stars of the new IMAX film Dream Big, the Bridges to Prosperity CEO also knows this is her best chance to inspire others to make 'heroic' career choices.  

Aaand... Action! 5 Takes on Greenbuild L.A.

Aaand... Action! 5 Takes on Greenbuild L.A.

Lights! Camera! Take action! This week, as 20,000 sustainable AEC professionals from all over the world flock to L.A., the birthplace of smog is proudly showing off its award-winning green bona fides. Here's what Greenbuild 2016 attendees should know.

Tall wood structures rising above doubts

Tall wood structures rising above doubts

Timber! Long-held reservations are falling for building tall with wood. This week, the National Building Museum examines "the only building material that can both reduce carbon emissions and remove carbon from the atmosphere." BuiltWorlds joins the discussion.

Canstruction: AEC Rallies to Feed Hungry

Canstruction: AEC Rallies to Feed Hungry

How do companies like Gensler, Arup, and McShane Construction help fight hunger? By designing and building structures out of cans -- duh! While Canstruction is an international organization, BuiltWorlds reporter Alexis Chastain attended one of the regional events to find out more. 

Challenges fuel global Hyperloop competitions

Challenges fuel global Hyperloop competitions

Just months after celebrating a successful field test in the Nevada desert, the newly splintered leadership of high-powered startup Hyperloop One is in turmoil. Nevertheless, its own global contest to see who has the biggest needs and best ideas is speeding ahead.

Not So Fast: Will The Hyperloop Fly in the U.S.?

Not So Fast: Will The Hyperloop Fly in the U.S.?

Excited about the Hyperloop? BW's John Gregerson is, but here he wonders how the U.S. can honestly expect to embrace supersonic transit pods after it spent decades dithering over high-speed rail. Maybe some nostalgic competition with the Russians can help.

Arup, Rockefeller Launch City Resilience Tool

Arup, Rockefeller Launch City Resilience Tool

Last week in London, after years of joint research and testing, global engineering giant ARUP and the Rockefeller Foundation jointly unveiled a new City Resilience Index, a "pioneering tool for cities to understand and assess their resilience." 

Flux awards Aim to Spur Urban Ideas

Flux awards Aim to Spur Urban Ideas

Flux Factory invited students from around the world to submit ideas for how to sustainably house the inhabitants of our rapidly urbanizing world. This month, the Google spin-off named the winners of its first Emerging Architects Design Competition. 

ACE Mentors, Scouts Highlight Next-Gen Outreach

ACE Mentors, Scouts Highlight Next-Gen Outreach

It's never been easier to be cynical about life in these United States, but two construction industry events last week in Chicago reminds us of how promising and extraordinarily hopeful this day and age still is, both for this industry and our planet.

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Future Mobility: Prepare for paradigm shift in personal Transport

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Future Mobility: Prepare for paradigm shift in personal Transport

Autonomous vehicles (AV) may replace more than the private car. Arup's Anna Vickers believes AVs will eventually replace taxis and buses, too. Such newer concepts of ownership and on-demand service may well upend the market, she writes.

BuiltWorlds to Host National CEO Tech Forum

BuiltWorlds to Host National CEO Tech Forum

"Disruption is knocking at your door. Are you ready to answer?" This April, BW will help industry CEOs answer that very question at an exciting two-day event led by X-Prize founder Peter Diamandis and an all-star lineup of AEC thought leaders. Learn more.

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Vertical Forest Near Complete and Always Chic in Milan

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Vertical Forest Near Complete and Always Chic in Milan

On the edge of the fashionable Milan, Italy, will soon rest two skyscrapers that have more concrete than timber right now. Over time, that ratio will change. Bosco Verticale, or “vertical forest”, a concept led by Italian architecture firm Stefano Boeri Studio, combines residential living inside a metropolis with natural elements to create a lush microclimate for its inhabitants.

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Cutting the Cord: Cable-Free Elevators near reality

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Cutting the Cord: Cable-Free Elevators near reality

The seemingly predictable, up-and-down world of elevators has thrown us a curveball. This month, ThyssenKrupp announced it will begin testing cordless elevators next year that can travel horizontally, as well. Stay tuned. 

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How can we make zero-carbon high-riseS reality?

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How can we make zero-carbon high-riseS reality?

As urbanization drives demand for high-rises globally, making those buildings zero-carbon is one of the biggest challenges engineers face. Arup's Jimmy Tong says district energy systems with micro-grid schemes are the answer.

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Backed by big names, FLUX boosts data Flow via Interoperability

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Backed by big names, FLUX boosts data Flow via Interoperability

Google is known for pressing the boundaries of technology in virtually everything it does. Now, the global search giant and a host of AEC heavy hitters have helped to create Flux, a new process tool that may soon revolutionize our industry.

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Lessons from Australia: Slaking a global thirst

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Lessons from Australia: Slaking a global thirst

The World Economic Forum considers water crises to be the biggest risk facing the planet today. And shortages threaten to get much worse. So, what to do? Engineering giant Arup recommends we learn from Australia.

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