Best practices in construction involve meticulously planned approaches to ensure optimal outcomes and profitability. These practices include procurement, risk management, value management, benchmarking, supply chain management, whole life costing, health and safety, lean construction, and sustainable construction. Procurement focuses on effective management and contracting, while partnering encourages collaboration for improved value and quality. Risk management tracks and assesses project risks, and value management aligns with client needs. Benchmarking improves future projects by comparing performance, and supply chain management integrates operations for cost savings. Whole life costing considers total ownership costs, health and safety prioritize worker protection, lean construction reduces costs by eliminating unnecessary processes, and sustainable construction enhances social, economic, and environmental performance. Together, these practices ensure efficiency, safety, and profitability in the construction industry.
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Location: Irvine, CA
Product: REYNOBOND (MCM)
General Contractor: DPR Construction
Architect: LPA
Edwards Lifesciences’ 469,000-square-foot headquarters in Irvine, California, exemplifies high-performance design with offices, lab spaces, and outdoor courtyards aimed at fostering creativity and health. The campus features a two-story entry pavilion, a three-story office/lab building, a two-story dining and conference facility, and a four-story office/lab building, all achieving LEED Gold certification and significant energy use reductions. The entry pavilion achieved net-zero energy and LEED Platinum status. Acquired in 2018, the 10-acre expansion supports over 5,000 employees and integrates outdoor plazas, skywalks, and bridges to connect new and existing structures. Energy-efficient exterior circulation spaces are shaded and feature photovoltaic canopies, while the landscape includes native plants and bioretention areas for stormwater treatment. The campus combines administrative offices, lab spaces, dining, conference facilities, and a museum, all designed to enhance collaboration and employee well-being. MillerClapperton fabricated approximately 3,300 square feet of Metal Composite Material panels for this project.
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Hosting the Olympic Games often drives cities to create grandiose structures, showcasing human achievement but frequently straining budgets. The pre-Games competition to impress with spectacular projects often results in financial challenges, as seen in Rio de Janeiro’s 2016 and Sochi’s 2014 Olympics. Budget overruns can lead to scaled-back or abandoned projects, exemplified by the Athens 2004 and London 2012 venues. Olympic construction also often displaces residents, exacerbating social issues. However, successful repurposing of venues, like in Barcelona, Sydney, and London, shows the effectiveness of thoughtful planning. Paris’s sustainable approach for the 2024 Olympics, using mostly existing structures, and Montreal’s initiative to repurpose its stadium roof materials, highlight the importance of sustainability and innovation in Olympic planning. These efforts demonstrate how cities can extend the legacy of Olympic venues beyond the Games, balancing spectacle with long-term benefits.
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The construction industry faces a persistent labor shortage, prompting firms to turn to AI technology to bridge the gap. The 2024 Construction Hiring and Business Outlook from the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) indicates many firms plan to invest in AI. AI technologies such as computer vision, 3D modeling tools, and machine learning can automate tasks, enhance efficiency, and improve safety. AI streamlines project management, automates tedious tasks, and predicts equipment maintenance needs. It also aids workforce training through AI-powered augmented reality systems and safety monitoring via computer vision. Successful AI implementation requires a phased approach with small projects to demonstrate value, alongside continuous education, training, and ongoing reassessment. Partnering with technology experts can help firms effectively integrate AI.
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Recommendation: “Key Considerations & FAQs of Offsite Construction Insurance w/Maslon LLP”
Hosted By: Inside Modular: The Podcast of Commercial Modular Construction
“In the construction industry, insurance is such an essential component because there are so many different moving parts,” attorney and litigator Jevon Bindman, who assists construction policyholders in coverage disputes, explains in this podcast. Of course, modular construction only adds layers of complexity. As modular construction projects become a larger part of the overall industry, Bindman provides this helpful overview of the ins-and-outs of successfully insuring these projects, as well as some pitfalls to avoid.
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