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
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Architects beware! When buildings design themselves...

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Architects beware! When buildings design themselves...

Automation could revolutionize architecture, by eliminating architects! That is the provocative premise of this Huffington Post essay by author and LEED pioneer, Lance Hosey, now sustainability chief at Perkins Eastman.

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BW Sessions: Rentalutions

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BW Sessions: Rentalutions

Landlords generally...okay, they always get a bad rap. Today, Rentalutions is looking to change that negative stigma through software that helps property managers work in a more effective, even humane manner. But as our chat with co-founder Ryan Coon demonstrates, that’s barely buffing the surface of the newly installed hardwood floors.

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Hopeful Seven: Obama Library Narrows Field of Architects

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Hopeful Seven: Obama Library Narrows Field of Architects

This week, the President and First Lady personally named seven elite architects as finalists to design the future Obama Presidential Center on Chicago's South Side. Surprisingly, only one was local, but all are acclaimed modernists.

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Dear Developer, Want to Avoid Headaches? ENGAGE an Engineer

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Dear Developer, Want to Avoid Headaches? ENGAGE an Engineer

Civil engineer Kelsey Taylor risks the ire of architect pals to tell owners the best time to engage an engineer on a project is at the start, before critical land-based decisions are made and when mistakes can be avoided. 

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Year-end expense reports and How to curb employee 'creativity'

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Year-end expense reports and How to curb employee 'creativity'

"I need all your expense reports turned in by Friday!" If that sounds familiar, then you need to read this helpful blog from Procore Technologies about how employees who travel and their managers can avoid accounting pitfalls and penalties.

Smarter Worlds May Include Indoor Farms

Smarter Worlds May Include Indoor Farms

Are indoor urban farms that don't use soil really the answer to predicted world food shortages? Maybe so. Bent on finding out, Chicago-based FarmedHere has plans now to build 18 such facilities across the U.S. Stay tuned.

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Top 5 Holiday Toys For The Little Builder In Your Life

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The Holidays are in full swing. So many opportunities to show others that you care. Too many? Don’t fret, we’ve got you covered. We know there’s a burgeoning builder on your ‘nice’ list, so here are five gifts to fire their imaginations:

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Understanding how Paris Agreement helps sustainable development

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Understanding how Paris Agreement helps sustainable development

Economist, environmental humanitarian and UN Special Advisor Jeffrey Sachs writes about the new Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the huge difference that China's participation will have on its ultimate success.

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WATCH: Inside Method, the new LEED in Sustainable Manufacturing

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WATCH: Inside Method, the new LEED in Sustainable Manufacturing

This month's Method Manufacturing event showcased the clean and green energy behind the new LEED Platinum soap factory on Chicago’s south side. Afterward, BW sent its own video team to see what all the fuss was about.

 

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Arcbazar Brings architecture to the people

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Arcbazar Brings architecture to the people

You can't crowdsource quality, can you? After a withering welcome from architecture's old guard, Boston-based Arcbazar now is winning over fans, skeptics, and investors with its mission to bring good design even to tiny projects.

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Bridgit Takes Top Prize at Google Demo Day Women's Edition

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Bridgit Takes Top Prize at Google Demo Day Women's Edition

Some 450 firms from eight countries applied, but only 11 were invited to San Francisco to present at the first Google For Entrepreneurs Demo Day - Women's Edition. When the dust settled, our pals from Ontario had claimed the top prize. 

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