It’s common knowledge that the construction industry has a major labor shortage issue. Current projections indicate that an additional 439,000 worders are needed to meet growing demand this year alone. Driven by an aging workforce, declining interest among younger workers and post-pandemic economic shifts, the labor shortage poses serious risks to infrastructure developments, housing projects and overall economic stability. This article in Construction Today highlights some of the factors driving the labor shortage as well as the economic implications, and some case studies and success stories.
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Location: Franklin, TN
Products: Alucobond (MCM); Equitone (Fiber Cement)
General Contractor: MTLC Building Group
Architect: TMPartners
Located in Franklin, TN, McEwen Northside is a 45-acre mixed-use urban district in the heart of the Cool Springs neighborhood. The development features 750,000 square feet of office space, 113,000 square feet of restaurants and specialty retail, two hotels, McEwen Northside apartments with 340 luxury units, and beautifully designed green spaces. Designed around the ideal work-life experience, the thoughtfully planned district blends together an active lifestyle for work, rest and play. It delivers an intimate urban experience in the suburbs that connects the office, retail, restaurant, hotel, residential and greenspace components as vital parts of a walkable community.
Block A contains six-stories of Class A office space, as well as ground-floor retail and two restaurants. A pedestrian bridge connects to a 604-space parking structure that accommodates the needs of the office, retail, restaurants, and adjacent hotel.
For this project, MillerClapperton fabricated and installed 4,400 square feet of Equitone Fiber Cement panels and 5,800 square feet of Alucobond Metal Composite Material (MCM) on building A3, Fink’s Jewelers.
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Advances in digitalization are turning trash into treasure in building construction. Between raising prices for new building products and supply chain challenges, as well as the vast quantity of waste generated, the construction industry is working to improve its resource efficiency using digital tools. Construction and demolition waste (CDW) compromises nearly a third of all solid waste produced globally, and in the U.S. along is 600 million tons annually, exceeding the quantity of household waste twofold. Check out this article to learn more about the efforts currently underway to improve the construction industry’s productivity by developing the necessary platforms and approaches to reuse CDW.
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The use of artificial intelligence in the architecture industry is quickly revolutionizing the profession. A recent survey indicates that 46% of the 1,227 designers surveyed are already using AI tools for their projects, with 24% planning on using it soon. Additionally, AI in the architecture field seems to be self-learning, with 60% of survey takers reporting have no formal training in AI. Check out this article in GB&D to see current trends, tips and examples of AI in architecture.
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Recommendation: An interview with Tammy Crooks, J.D.; CIT, Construction Manager at Byrne
Despite being considered a male-dominated field, the construction industry is seeing an increase of strong female leaders who are not only contributing but also reshaping how the industry operates. In this article from the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), Tammy Crooks, JD, CIT, construction manager at Bryne, discusses overcoming challenges on the job site to leading diverse teams, while sharing insights into her career, the importance of safety and advice for women interested in entering construction management.
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