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Toward Smarter Buildings

May 16, 2012

The adage “work smart” applies to the construction industry in a number of ways. It could not only refer to safety on the jobsite, but to the adoption of technology that can save time, money, and resources at any point during a project’s lifecycle. Smart building-management technologies in particular can give owners and operators the tools to develop efficient, cost-effective strategies for the long term.

This week, the U.S. GSA (General Services Admin.), www.gsa.gov, Washington D.C., announced it will harness this type of smart-building technology to increase the energy efficiency of 50 federal buildings. The initial 50 buildings were chosen because they are some of the government’s highest energy consumers. As a result of the technology installations, GSA expects an annual savings of up to $15 million.

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May/June 2012

Volume 15 Number 04

Sustain the Project

How tech helps you go green at each phase of the job.

Do green building projects cost more? Not necessarily. At least that is what many contractors are quickly discovering. The EPA, www.epa.gov, Washington, D.C., says integrated design processes can help identify the most efficient approaches to green buildings, which can ultimately reduce costs.

March/April 2012

Volume 15 Number 03

Bechtel: Ditching Waste, and Making It Safe

Technology helps develop first-of-its-kind equipment for clean-up work on the famed Hanford Site.

When thousands of workers from across the country descend upon the Hanford and White Plains area of Washington State in 1943 responding to a work request from the government, few, if any, were certain what type of work they were signing up to do. Just like the residents of these two farming and agricultural towns who were told to evacuate their homes and abandon their farms, the workers were told simply the land was to become an area for “important war work.”



Commentary

In It for the Long Run

You only get one shot to get it right. Unlike a manufacturing company that builds a prototype, your one shot is out in the field, so it’s imperative the technologies and techniques you choose are bulletproof.

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Green Technology

Go Green with Construction Software

Building ‘green’ can certainly be a challenge. In order to find the right product, manage all the documentation, and coordinate with partners, successful green construction projects need all stakeholders on board early. Construction software can also aid in better managing the projects.

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Infrastructure Update

Robotic Stations on the Job

Robots have taken over the jobsite! Don’t be alarmed, these robotic helpers are only meant to assist in the construction process—not take it over completely.

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