The building industry faces a significant waste problem, with a considerable portion of demolition materials ending up in landfills. This squanders financial and material resources, contributing to global emissions. However, there’s hope in circular construction, an age-old practice of reusing and recycling building materials. Arup, in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, introduced the Circular Building Toolkit to promote sustainable practices. Through initiatives like material passports and London’s mandatory circular-construction guidelines, progress is being made. Case studies like One Triton Square in London showcase the feasibility and benefits of retrofitting existing structures. Additionally, research studios like GXN and MIT School of Architecture are exploring innovative solutions. The future of construction lies in embracing circularity and reducing waste through collaborative efforts and legislative support.
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Location: Charlotte, NC
Product: REYNOBOND (MCM)
General Contractor: JE Dunn
Architect: Rule Joy Trammel + Rubio LLC
Residents can experience the epitome of luxury and convenience at Element SouthPark, where upscale living meets modern convenience. These SouthPark Charlotte apartments redefine luxury with a range of amenities designed to elevate your lifestyle. From the state-of-the-art 24-hour fitness studio to the refreshing salt water pool and engaging full swing golf & game simulator, relaxation and recreation are seamlessly integrated into daily life. Residents can enjoy stunning city skyline views from these modern residences, complete with sleek Samsung Wi-Fi compatible appliances and elegant waterfall quartz countertops. With 24-hour concierge service and onsite dining options like Steak 48 and Giovanna, every need is catered to. Nestled in one of Charlotte Metro’s most prestigious neighborhoods, just six miles from Uptown, Element SouthPark offers contemporary sophistication and Elevated Living at its finest. MillerClapperton fabricated and installed approximately 9,500 square feet of Metal Composite Material panels for this project.
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Groundscrapers, sprawling horizontally, are the opposite of skyscrapers, offering over 1 million square feet of space and exemplified by Google’s $1.3 billion London headquarters. Advocates praise their minimal skyline impact, reduced costs, and energy efficiency compared to skyscrapers. Despite once being deemed less prestigious, groundscrapers have gained favor for major corporate projects. While not a new concept, they trace back to postwar suburban office parks and have inspired architectural competitions like “New York Horizon.” With potential to decentralize urban growth and alleviate congestion, groundscrapers present an alternative to skyscrapers, emphasizing human scale, context, and sustainability in urban design. Amy Webb, a futurist, predicts a rise in groundscrapers, particularly in low-density regions, where innovations like lateral elevator systems and drone deliveries could reshape future urban environments.
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The construction industry stands at a pivotal moment, poised to harness the transformative power of technology to revolutionize project management, efficiency, and profitability. Embracing digitalization offers substantial financial benefits, enabling streamlined processes and proactive decision-making. Leveraging digital models and workflows allows for rapid assessment and timely corrective actions, ensuring projects stay on track. Moreover, construction-specific project management software and mobile applications enhance supply chain coordination, facilitating seamless communication and collaboration among stakeholders. By embracing off-the-shelf construction technology, organizations can navigate the complexities of modern construction supply chains with agility and confidence, paving the way for success in today’s competitive environment.
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Recommendation: “Atlas of Never Built Architecture” by Sam Lubell and Greg Goldin
Published By: Phaidon
Imagine Bagdad as designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, or the Eiffel Tower as a rectangular grid of rotating mirrors. These versions nearly came to be, as this atlas documents—along with a host of other fantastic, sometimes jarring, architectural projects. Whether stymied by an accident of history, economic turmoil, or simply an asesthetic change of heart, these projects now only live in our imaginations (and for those who peruse this illustrated volume, our hands).
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