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

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. 

'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. 

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.

Chasing Paperless, PlanGrid Tests New Windows App

Chasing Paperless, PlanGrid Tests New Windows App

April showers may bring May flowers, but PlanGrid is hoping that the beta release of its new native app for Microsoft Windows will yield rich feedback year-round. The move follows other recent releases from Windows app partners like Facebook and Netflix.

Concrete Countdown: It's Sink or Swim Time! (Part 3)

Concrete Countdown: It's Sink or Swim Time! (Part 3)

But will it float? That question is already causing engineering students on 19 different Midwest college teams to lose sleep as they bring their homemade concrete canoes to Chicago for tomorrow's regional finals. Here, host Illinois Tech shares its 11th-hour angst.

Wrigley Rehab Ready for Prime Time

Wrigley Rehab Ready for Prime Time

1060 West Addison. People of a certain age know that address from The Blues Brothers. Today, it is shorthand for the $575-million rebirth of beloved Wrigley Field. Tonight, as the project adapts to a new schedule, Cubs nation embraces the old feel of its new home.

Concrete, Canoes, Cramming and Caffeine (Part 2)

Concrete, Canoes, Cramming and Caffeine (Part 2)

Regional finals are just days away for the National Concrete Canoe Competition, sponsored by the American Society of Civil Engineers. In this second installment, we check in with our team at Illinois Tech for an update as the big race nears.

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.

Dust-up: New OSHA Silica Rule Stirs Challenge

Dust-up: New OSHA Silica Rule Stirs Challenge

OSHA last week drastically reduced the permissible level of silica dust particles that U.S. construction workers may be exposed to over the course of a normal work day. Now, as labor celebrates, contractor groups have taken OSHA to court to block the new rule.

Final 7? Smart City Teams Eye $50M

Final 7? Smart City Teams Eye $50M

The Final Four may be ending this week, but the Magnificent Seven are still battling for dollars. Aiming to name a winner this June for its Smart City Challenge, USDOT has narrowed the field for a three-month race to the $50-million finish line. 

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.

Mercurial Master Hadid Dead at 65

Mercurial Master Hadid Dead at 65

Arguably the world's most acclaimed and controversial architect died suddenly this morning in Miami FL. Iraqi-born Dame Zaha Hadid leaves behind a legacy of innovation and inspiration that is drawing accolades from all over the world.

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