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

United Kingdom

A look at foreign labor in construction

A look at foreign labor in construction

Between President-elect Donald Trump's stance on immigration and the United Kingdom currently determining the status of free movement post-Brexit, many have been left wondering what will happen to foreign labor in the two regions -- especially within construction. 

Winds of change: Offshore U.S. farms finally here

Winds of change: Offshore U.S. farms finally here

After years of starts and stops, North America's fledgling offshore wind energy industry is finally out of the blocks. This month, officials in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island are heralding the start of a new American energy market. (Europe is excited, too.) 

'Brexit' disruption unclear, unwelcome for AEC

'Brexit' disruption unclear, unwelcome for AEC

After Cornwallis had surrendered to Washington in 1781, the Brits' band famously played The World Turned Upside Down as they exited North America. Today, no one knows what tune to play in the wake of the UK's stunning vote to leave the EU yesterday. 

With BIM Mandate Here, UK Turns to Sensors

With BIM Mandate Here, UK Turns to Sensors

The UK's highly anticipated mandate for the use of building information modeling on all government projects is now in effect. Bechtel's Stephen Smith explains how all the new 'big data' sensors will make cities like London not just smarter, but better.

'Floatovoltaics' Make Splash with UK Solar Arrays

'Floatovoltaics' Make Splash with UK Solar Arrays

History says the sun eventually did set on the British Empire last century, but the energy demands of a new millennium have pushed the U.K. back into a leadership role. Today, it is home to the world's largest floating array of photovaltaic panels. 

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World's first floating wind farm to surface off Scottish coast

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World's first floating wind farm to surface off Scottish coast

Last year proved a watershed for wind energy generation in the UK, where records were set weekly. This year, an even bigger milestone looms as Norway's Statoil plans to bring a new floating system of turbines online. Civil Engineering reports...

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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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Brits' BIM certification mandate may be recipe for confusion

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Brits' BIM certification mandate may be recipe for confusion

With a national BIM mandate now just six months away, Britain's AEC community is scrambling to get ready. Terry Gough, a former shopfitter and avid 'BIM champion', thinks the situation is only going to get crazier.

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Hacking London: An Industry's Rite of Passage

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Hacking London: An Industry's Rite of Passage

This weekend, London will host the first-ever AEC Hackathon held outside the U.S. To set the stage, cofounder Paul Doherty here previews what the UK can expect. Now with a foothold in Europe, there may be no stopping our hacker pals!

UK Wishes to Be the Home of Driverless Testing

UK Wishes to Be the Home of Driverless Testing

The United Kingdom has a storied history in the automotive industry. It is the home of celebrated sport and luxury car manufacturors like Jaguar, Bentley, Aston Martin, Land Rover, McLaren and much, much more. It is now trying to be the home of the future of the automobile industry, automated driving.

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Rethinking Smart Cities to put people first

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Rethinking Smart Cities to put people first

This month, the British nonprofit Nesta issued a special report on the hits and misses of the global Smart Cities movement. As that effort continues to grow, Nesta cautions that for Smart Cities to reach their full potential, they need to focus on the citizens living in them, not just technology.

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BIM mandate puts Brits on collaborative frontier

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BIM mandate puts Brits on collaborative frontier

Britain's 2016 mandate for using building information modeling on all large government projects is fast approaching. Is the UK ready? Once implemented and accepted, BIM could become the international translator for AEC technologies.

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Global index sees green in being green

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Global index sees green in being green

A recent study of 16 nations by Baker & McKenzie argues that pursuing a sustainable investment strategy is the surest way to unlock corporate value and to 'future-proof' your real estate portfolio against risk. Investing in sustainability now makes solid financial sense, too, the global law firm says.

Researchers, industry leaders partnering on 3D innovations

Researchers, industry leaders partnering on 3D innovations

Researchers at Loughborough University have joined with industry heavyweights such Skanska, Foster + Partners, ABB and others to develop a 3-D printer to manufacture concrete components for construction.

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