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

Business

Ford's $1.2B Better Idea to Take on Silicon Valley

Ford's $1.2B Better Idea to Take on Silicon Valley

"This is war!" says one Michigan architect. Detroit v. Silicon Valley. This month, the state's high-stakes battle for tech talent just got hotter. Like GM a year ago, Ford unveiled big plans to remake its Dearborn HQ campus into a mobility innovation hub.

Bridgit Bags its Own VC bundle

Bridgit Bags its Own VC bundle

After closing out 2015 with a big win at Google's Entrepreneurs Demo Day, our favorite women-owned Canadian construction tech startup has now secured $1.7 million in seed investment from Hyde Park Ventures, and backed by Vanedge Capital.

EXTRA! EXTRA! CEO Tech Forum Makes News (Pt 2)

EXTRA! EXTRA! CEO Tech Forum Makes News (Pt 2)

In addition to all the inspiring words and dazzling demos on display last week, several speakers and attendees at BW's first-ever CEO Tech Forum also made news worth noting. Here are the top five announcements in the order they were made.

Procore Launches New Index of Industry Vital Signs

Procore Launches New Index of Industry Vital Signs

For a firm so young in an industry so old, it may seem presumptuous for software provider Procore to position itself as a go-to resource for fresh data measuring the health of the AEC market. But heck, they just did it! So, move over Dodge, ENR, and BLS.

UN: 2015 Set Renewable Energy Investment Record

UN: 2015 Set Renewable Energy Investment Record

Spring certainly is the time for renewal, but new data from the UN suggests that the rest of the year is not lacking for energy, either. In all, $286 billion was spent on renewables in 2015, and for the first time, more in the developing world than not.

Hit or Miss: Bankruptcies Taking Toll on P3 Road Projects

Hit or Miss: Bankruptcies Taking Toll on P3 Road Projects

Even as P3 proponents were massing in Texas last month, the team behind the SH 130 toll road was filing for bankruptcy. Missed toll revenues there and elsewhere continue to worry those who see P3 as the last, best hope for rebuilding U.S. infrastructure.

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.

Still Shopping, Stantec adds MWH Global

Still Shopping, Stantec adds MWH Global

For Canada's highly acquistive Stantec, perhaps the 115th time will be the charm. Last week, just a month after announcing plans to acquire Chicago architect VOA, the Edmonton, Alberta-based giant has made an even bigger splash in the global water market.

Take 6: Expert Views on the Internet of Things

Take 6: Expert Views on the Internet of Things

Last week, the Brookings Institution launched TechTakes, a new online series that collects the diverse perspectives of scholars within the policy think tank on technology policy issues. This is the first entry in that new blog series.

P3 Financing Needed to Rebuild Waterways

P3 Financing Needed to Rebuild Waterways

To address the crisis facing our inland waterways, public sponsors must be able to generate revenues that can be committed for project-specific purposes. Legislative changes are needed ASAP to address this neglected but vital infrastructure sector. 

Multifamily High-Rise Boom Draws Crowd

Multifamily High-Rise Boom Draws Crowd

The Midwest's booming multifamily market will take center stage April 6 for a one-day real estate conference in Chicago. Last year, the city alone added 3,000 multifamily residential units, and another 5,000 are on tap for 2016. How long can this last?

Haskell adds Leidos, Revives Benham

Haskell adds Leidos, Revives Benham

Having only recently celebrated its 50th birthday, Jacksonville FL-based Haskell soon will be growing by more than 50%. The integrated design-build firm now is adding Reston VA-based Leidos Constructors to its stable, soon to be renamed Benham.

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