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New Developments in the Construction Industry
The construction industry is always evolving, adapting to the tastes of clients and shaped by the advances made in technology. With the world shifting towards more “green”—or environmentally friendly—products and services, architects and engineers are meeting such needs with new techniques, overseeing construction projects that take cost effectiveness, energy efficiency, environmental impact, and overall functionality into consideration. Here are some of the new developments in the construction industry:
More Resilient Structures
In the aftermath of devastating storms and rising global temperatures, more construction firms are more aware and responding with structures that can better withstand the power and rising levels of water. In the Netherlands, for instance, firms are specializing in water-borne houses and coming up with schemes for floating cities that would act as extensions of coastal areas. Water-borne architecture has actually been around for centuries, but never in the history of Man has it been more crucial. Also, other structures—such as bridges and canals—are being built with sturdier foundations and supported by enhanced water management systems.
Alternative Water Strategies:
According to Global Cranes, a company with cranes for sale, although water in construction has rarely raised alarm, more experts are paying more attention to developing wiser strategies. This is especially true in the western region of the U.S., where precipitation is lower and water supplies are more limited. More design teams or home builders are beginning to separate potable water flows from non-potable ones to use the latter for applications such as toilet flushing and landscape irrigation, where the highest purity is not required; traditionally, the highest-quality potable water was used for all water-related applications. Another strategy is to treat wastewater for non-potable applications.
ENERGY STAR Ascendancy
One of the most ubiquitous developments in modern-day construction, ENERGY STAR products are named after the international standard that the EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) and the U.S. Department of Energy invented in 1992. They are now popular with home builders who want to build homes that consume less energy; it is estimated that ENERGY STAR products use 20 to 30 percent less energy than their regular counterparts. Such products include lighting, dishwashers, laundry machines, HVAC systems, and refrigerators.
Integration of Solar Energy
Also growing in popularity in terms of energy efficiency is solar power. It is becoming increasingly common for home builders and even individuals to have panels consisting of photovoltaic cells installed on roofs. From there the panels rely on the sun’s rays to generate and supply electricity to the building and release excess energy back into the atmosphere. Solar technology can also be integrated into windows, skylights, facades, parking garages, warehouses, and retail stores. Additionally, solar energy systems can act as a back-up in the event that the power grid fails.
Viability of Wood
Like solar power, wood is a renewable. Just like the sunlight is naturally replenished, wood is produced from trees, which are always around and can be responsibly managed. As a result, more companies are turning to wood as a prime building material. Also, as they grow, trees absorb carbon from the atmosphere and keep it in them until they rot or burn. By contrast, other types of building material—like steel and concrete—generate considerable amounts of carbon during production.
