Construction Industry-FIVE Key Trends to Watch in 2023!
Construction Industry
FIVE Key Trends to Watch in 2023!
https://www.procore.com/jobsite/6-of-the-worlds-most-impressive-3d-printed-buildings/
“Steady growth” is the anticipated trajectory for the Global Construction Industry.
A market worth $6.4 trillion in 2020 is forecast to more than double in size, to $14.4 trillion by 2030!
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1290105/global-construction-market-size-with-forecasts/
At the foundation of national economies, and fundamental to our lives, is the building of habitations of every size and configuration, industrial and commercial structures, retail, leisure and sporting facilities, hospitals, airports, and other freight and travel centres.
Across the globe, whole new cities are constantly springing up with all the associated infrastructure, and as technology, material, and methodology advances, so the drive to build better, greener and with ever greater sophistication continues to accelerate.
In many ways, the last few years with the multitudinous and aggravated challenges, while undoubtedly deeply bruising to the sector, has also forced transformation and progress in an industry where the lightning speed of technological advancement does not so obviously have the immediate impact that is felt in other areas.
Nevertheless, in a category that makes up around 13% of the Global GDP, embracing new ideas and trends becomes increasingly imperative, in order for the Industry to stay ahead of the curve and thrive!
Here at STS we look at Five Key Trends developing in the construction industry, as it seeks to absorb what is newer and better and cultivate the techniques that cybernetics promotes.
1: Modular Construction-Significant Growth Forecasted.
A form of building that employs manufacturing techniques, on an assembly line in factory conditions, between 60% and 90% of a building or development is constructed OFF SITE before it is transported to its designated plot.
Worth circa $82.3 billion annually in 2020, forecasted growth for this market is 32.3% or $108.8 billion by 2025.
https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/modular-construction.asp
Architects, developers, and contractors are proving the benefits of this approach in waste reduction, compressed timelines, and trimmed costs.
It is reckoned that the building of healthcare facilities (due to the type of structure) would be most facilitated by Modular Construction in the short term, with hotels and larger, shared residential structures also most likely to benefit from this process. Source: Dodge Data & Analytics
To gain a deeper understanding of the bright future predicted for Modular Construction, read the article below entitled Faster, Greener, Cheaper!
Image: ArchDaily
2: Smart Cities-Forcing Change In Construction Operations
Essentially a urban development that is fully integrated with information and communication technology (ICT), and connected to the Internet of Things (IoT), the rise of this phenomenon is one of the most significant trends affecting the construction industry.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_city
In layman’s terms, the entire infrastructure is geared up to collect and disseminate data that that assists in a more efficient and inhabitant friendly running of all the governance, operations, services and networks a city operates, from utilities to education and even criminal investigations.
Future developments will doubtless see the incorporation of autonomous vehicles, robot assisted living and associated smart technological advancements, not to mention the enhancement of sustainability refinements.
A global market worth $1,091.00 billion in 2021 is expected explode in the coming decade and is forecasted to be worth $6,965.00 billion by 2030.
The impact on the indusrty of this emergence cannot be underestimated and will, in all likelihood, bring big changes in how the industry operates.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/rise-smart-citiesand-impact-construction-er-kamlesh-yadav/
Image: startupbootcamp.com
3: Living Building Materials-At the frontline in the fight for sustainability.
Living Building Materials is the blanket phrase used to describe any type of material, used in construction, that replicates the functionality of a living organism.
These materials can potentially reproduce, self-replicate, or self-heal and although they don’t necessarily contain actual living matter, some do.
The growth in popularity of Living Building Materials is partly due to bold and determined efforts to hit challenging Carbon Net Zero targets as soon as possible.
One example is the introduction of calcifying bacteria to certain types of cement. This allows the cement to heal itself, enabling the creation of highly durable buildings and eliminating the requirement for ongoing maintenance and repair!
Mycelium, the vegetative component of a fungus can be grown into a strong and lightweight element that performs favourably against traditional building materials, with the added benefit of being fully biodegradable and thus much more sustainable against the likes of plastic or concrete.
Mycelium-based composites also provide a viable alternative to foam, timber, flooring and even furnishings.
It is an economical, sustainable, fire-retardant option that will doubtless be increasingly championed for the development of Green Buildings.
As an added the benefit their often unique and natural formations can add natural textures and patterns that embellish the beauty of an edifice.
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/the-mycelium-revolution-is-upon-us/
Green Roofs are another element ever increasing in popularity.
Guaranteed to render a building more sustainable, Green Roofs can easily double the lifetime of the roof, significantly reduce energy consumption, and add value to a property.
Providing very effective protection against the elements, the growth of the greenery creates an excellent thermal mass, helping to regulate temperature fluctuations.
The ability to absorb and filter rainwater helps to regulate groundwater levels, easing pressure on urban infrastructure, and reduces the damage inflicted by acid rain.
Green roofs can also help capture carbon, thus reducing CO2 emissions!
The whole concept, significantly enhancing as it does, the longevity of low maintenance of buildings, means LESS building more materials are required over a longer period of time, and therefore cuts down any requirements for harmful practices associated with their production.
Whilst arguably still in the earlier stages of universal acceptance, and still facing challenges presented by higher costs, Living Building Materials are very much part and parcel of a better future!
4. The Use of Drones-The sky is the limit!
It is forecast that by 2030 the use of Drone Technology will result in an increased GDP in UK Construction and Manufacturing to the tune of a whopping £8.6 billion!
https://www.pwc.co.uk/intelligent-digital/drones/Drones-impact-on-the-UK-economy-FINAL.pdf
So clearly Drones-or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV’s) as they are commonly denoted, are causing quite a turbulence in the industrial atmosphere currently.
Image: Geo Business
The construction industry is enthusiastically embracing drone technology, for a number of very good reasons!
Data can be collected accurately, speedily (It has been estimated that site surveys can be accomplished up to 400 times faster) and safely by construction companies deploying this airborne equipment, saving very significant amounts of both time and money, whilst fast tracking precise on-site progress reporting that enables streamlined and efficient decision making!
Hundreds of thousands of pounds can be routinely saved over the timeline of a project, with inspections that would have previously taken days and would have potentially been fraught with danger, can be completed in hours, in complete safety and provide real time, precise data that profoundly enhances the efficiencies, protection and competitive advantages so keenly sought in the modern construction market.
Image: Pure Construction
For a detailed overview, see the recent STS blog in the link below:
https://www.sts-uk.com/news/why-use-drones-in-construction
5. 3D Printed Housing-A whole new dimension!
Whilst the jury is still out on whether this innovation will prove to be the definitive future of the construction industry, there have been rapid strides in the technology behind 3D printing which will doubtless make it impossible to ignore.
Image: Project Milestone by Dutch architects Houben and Van Mierlo / Best 3D-printed houses
https://www.3dprintedhouse.nl/en/project-info/project-milestone/
“Better, faster, greener” is the mantra of a revolution that is certainly making big waves.
Traditional building methods are under threat, with 3D printing offering the cost-effective approach that combines greater sustainability and virtually limitless configurability!
The construction industry is facing daunting challenges, with rapidly rising material costs, declining numbers of skilled workers, regions affected by war and catastrophe, the effects of the climate crisis, and a universal housing deficit all contributing to a feeling of uncertainty and disquietude.
So, the introduction of potentially transformative and technologically futuristic methods (that have the potential to halve project lengths) are very welcome in the world of building.
A technique that enables building configurations that would be well-nigh impossible employing conventional methods whilst guaranteeing zero material waste is something to sit up and take notice of.
Basil Starr the CEO of Palari Group, the Beverley Hills based technology driven developer of sustainable communities summed up the phenomenon thus:
"It is always challenging to introduce a new technology and a new product to the market…… (But) .… this is the Tesla of Housing!" https://www.mightybuildings.com/
To check out some amazing 3D Printed Buildings from around the world, click on the link below:
https://www.procore.com/jobsite/6-of-the-worlds-most-impressive-3d-printed-buildings/
The construction industry is a huge part of today’s world, and despite the countless conundrums it faces as it seeks to forge the future, it is not slowing down.
In fact, it is projected that over the next 40 years, there will be global developments equating to 230 billion square metres – roughly the area of Paris – in new construction every single week!!!
No wonder, then, the movers and shakers in this realm continue their quest to unearth every advantage and advancement that will aid them in their endeavours.
Here at STS we thrive on our thirst for the knowledge of what is new, what is “truly happening” out there in the big wide world of all things construction.
Our appetite for learning is unsatiable, and we love to share what we have learned.