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

Model behavior: How to optimize BIM during preconstruction

Model behavior: How to optimize BIM during preconstruction

Promoting collaboration, coordination, efficiency, and design intent among owners, designers, and builders during the design phase is critical to laying the foundation for activities that occur in the field. 

Preconstruction Q&A: AGC, Sinclair offer best practices

Preconstruction Q&A: AGC, Sinclair offer best practices

Jack-of-all-trades Tim Sinclair is the new chair of AGC's Specialty Contractors Council. We talked with him about the group's growth and what he sees as a healthy surge in collaborative pre-construction between general contractors and subs nationwide.

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.

Bridgit's Lauren Lake is on a mission to perfect the punch list

Bridgit's Lauren Lake is on a mission to perfect the punch list

The development of project management software, time-keeping applications, and bid-management programs has changed the way work gets done on the jobsite. We talked to Lauren Lake, co-founder of mobile punch list app Bridgit, about her impact and dedication to the industry.

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. 

Utopia Hill: From project engineer to director of project management

Utopia Hill: From project engineer to director of project management

As you travel alongside vast, open plains, and giant turbines spread as far as the eye can see, have you ever considered how those wind farms are constructed? For you built environment vets, my guess is probably yes. For this National Women in Construction Week feature, Alexis Chastain spoke with Utopia Hill, Director of Project Management, Procurement and Construction at Invenergy. 

Trend Watch: Contractors hiring, trading tech talent

Trend Watch: Contractors hiring, trading tech talent

As firms gather in Las Vegas this week for the 98th annual AGC Convention, for the first time they can stay on for a one-day Technology Summit. That simple addition is just one more example of how tech staffing and leadership are gaining leverage.

New start: Illinois Tech engineers 2017 ASCE Concrete Canoe (pt 1)

New start: Illinois Tech engineers 2017 ASCE Concrete Canoe (pt 1)

Each year, teams of student engineers design, construct, and race a canoe made of concrete against other university teams in the ASCE's Concrete Canoe competition. This year, we're once again following the Illinois Tech team as they try to make it to Nationals.

Bechtel charged with managing Saudi Arabia's infrastructure

Bechtel charged with managing Saudi Arabia's infrastructure

It isn't just glittering high-rises. In addition to Bechtel, other US-based, multinational firms are flocking to the Middle East to work on projects such as canals, oil fields, airports, and mega tourist attractions.    

Pericept brings BIM closer to the job site

Pericept brings BIM closer to the job site

President and CEO Tony Ragucci and Vice President of Product Development Victor Palmer talk about creating a tool, BIMtrace, that could revolutionize project workflow by allowing workers on job sites to link photos of the sites to BIM models to make direct comparisons and note issues.

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.  

New engineering considerations as prefab/modular work grows

New engineering considerations as prefab/modular work grows

A new report from FMI indicates that prefabrication and modularization work is increasing. Aine Brazil, vice chairman of Thornton Tomasetti, explains how the trend might impact the work of structural engineers, using her firm's work on Stavros Niarchos Foundation–David Rockefeller River Campus at Rockefeller University as a case study.

Universities engineer real-world system and product solutions

Universities engineer real-world system and product solutions

From sustainable stormwater management and the mapping of urban infrastructure to “Smart Trees” and net-zero tiny homes, institutions such as Northwestern University, Stanford University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of Illinois–Champaign-Urbana are seeking to bringing innovative design solutions to market

Inspiring future engineers, Hollywood-style

Inspiring future engineers, Hollywood-style

Ready for their closeup! Backed by Bechtel and ASCE, a spectacular new IMAX feature, Dream BIG, has opened in 50 cities for National Engineers Week. BuiltWorlds previewed the inspiring ode to next-gen problem-solvers. Click here to see multiple clips.

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