World’s Tallest Modular Building Opens in New York, But Not Without Challenges

November 23, 2016 Shane Hedmond

The world's tallest modular building, behind the Barclays Center, while under construction.  Photo by mr_t_77, CC BY-SA 2.0 — The world's tallest modular building, behind the Barclays Center, while under construction. Photo by mr_t_77, CC BY-SA 2.0

Modular construction has been heralded by many as the next big thing in building structures quickly and cost effectively. By being able to construct parts of the building in a controlled environment, like a factory, workers can perform more efficiently, comfortably, and safely, ideally translating into shorter schedules and smaller costs. That theory got one of its biggest tests on a new 32-story residential building that recently opened in Brooklyn, NY.

Using Chat Tools To Improve Communication in Construction

November 22, 2016 Shane Hedmond

Photo by Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, CC BY-ND 2.0

[guest post] Joining the tech world from construction was a big change. The transition was made more smooth because I went to work at a company developing technology for construction so there were some other construction vets around me. But still- going from working at a homegrown, mid-sized, family-owned construction company in Utah to a tech startup based out of the heart of the tech scene in NYC was eye opening.

[Timelapse] Watch Japan’s Gigantic Sinkhole Be Repaired in Just Under a Week

November 21, 2016 Shane Hedmond

Last week, there was a giant hole in the middle of a Fukuoka, Japan street, spanning 98 feet long by 88 feet wide by 50 feet deep, due to underground subway work causing a sinkhole. Less than 7 days later, all the utility lines were repaired, the hole was filled, the asphalt laid, and the road is back open. It was a true testament to what a considerable amount of manpower and money can do in a short period of time.

OSHA: Trench Collapse Deaths Have More Than Doubled in 2016

November 18, 2016 Shane Hedmond

Trench collapse deaths are easily preventable. I’ll say it again: trench collapse deaths are easily preventable. So if they’re preventable, how do they continue to happen every year? Ignorance to safety rules, lack of supervision, pressures of time and money, and sometimes, outright laziness are all factors in trench related deaths and injuries. I’ve been on too many jobsites in my relatively young construction career that have extremely poor procedures for working in trenches and I’ve gotten every excuse in the book. The vast majority don’t even understand the basic requirements. At 4 feet deep, you need to provide a means of egress, at 5 feet deep you need proper protective systems, and keep soil and other materials 2 feet away from the edge of the trench. Those are the basics, everyone should know them.

[VIDEO] Watch a Giant Sinkhole Swallow a 5 Lane Road in Japan

November 17, 2016 Shane Hedmond

One of the challenges with construction is determining how your work can and will affect the existing conditions surrounding your job site. That’s why it’s increasingly important to not only perform proper due diligence procedures, but also react to the findings. That, unfortunately, doesn’t always happen and could potentially be what caused a massive sinkhole in Fukuoka, Japan, last week.

New Drill Attachment Can Cut Square Holes

November 16, 2016 William Lucus

Once again technology has made our old proverbs obsolete, take the old “square peg/round hole” saying, for instance… I’m sure there’s a joke in there somewhere, but I can't find it. Currently your choices for hole saws and drill bits are round and more round, so those pesky square holes that need cut for electrical boxes require a jab saw or a router. It’s not terribly difficult to cut square holes using those methods, but, one company has taken it upon themselves to make the process much quicker.

Tests Have Begun on “Living Wall” to Cover Scaffolding with Grasses, Plants

November 15, 2016 Shane Hedmond

One of the toughest aspects of construction in heavily populated or close-quarters areas is the control of noise and other pollutants. The public’s worries about these items can stall or kill projects before they begin. If and when they project actually begins, complaints can roll into the governing agencies causing project delays and/or fines.

Arup, a design, engineering, and consulting team in the United Kingdom, has been developing a living wall system, which they think can reduce the noise and improve the air quality surrounding ongoing construction projects.

[VIDEO] Watch 58 Cranes Fill the Construction Site of the World’s Largest Airport

November 14, 2016 Shane Hedmond

There’s no doubt that Liebherr, the popular manufacturer of cranes used throughout the world, works on some of the coolest projects. Last year, the company shared a video of one of their cranes working 10,000 in the air on top of the Wetterstein Mountains, which also happens to be the highest point in Germany. They also created one of our favorite construction videos ever when they displayed one of their gigantic cranes lifting three other cranes at the same time. This time, Liebherr is showing off their swarm of 58 tower cranes gracing the skies of the new largest airport in the world in Istanbul.

1933’s House of Tomorrow to Finally Be Restored After Falling into Disrepair

November 11, 2016 Shane Hedmond

World’s fairs have been held in varying locations across the globe since 1844 and are responsible for some of the most memorable buildings and structures that still stand today. The Eiffel Tower in Paris was originally built for the 1889 Exposition Universelle, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge was built to coincide with the 1939 World Fair, and Seattle’s Space Needle was designed and built for the 1962 World’s Fair (you can check out photos of the construction here), just to name a few.

At the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago, 16 homes were constructed for display to promote new building products and materials to the fair-goers.

The World’s Tallest Building Gets Its Own World’s Tallest Lego Building Replica

November 10, 2016 Shane Hedmond

Photo by John Christian Fjellestad, CC BY 2.0 — Photo by John Christian Fjellestad, CC BY 2.0

The Burj Khalifa currently holds 18 world records, including the ever-coveted “tallest building in the world” honor. The United Arab Emirates’ 2,717 feet tall behemoth of a structure has held that title since its completion in 2009. Because of that, it seems only fitting that a replica of the skyscraper should hold the record for world’s tallest Lego building.