The top 5 tech trends at ConExpo 2017

Telematics, additive manufacturing and drones were the talk of the construction industry's largest trade show in Las Vegas last week.

By Chris Wood • March 15, 2017

Gramercy District's 8-acre addition to open a year ahead of development schedule

The $500 million complex in Ashburn, VA, has absorbed adjacent commercial and retail space, which will allow 22 City Link to begin leasing earlier than expected.

By Kim Slowey • March 14, 2017

Explore the Trendline➔

Construction Technology

As construction technology continues to evolve, here’s what savvy contractors need to know.

By Construction Dive staff

More millennials take up tech for home search, purchase

Although younger buyers are more likely to use online tools to start their mortgage application, one in three finish the process in person.

By Hallie Busta • March 13, 2017

From thin air: 3-D printer cranks out a house in 24 hours

Concept projects like Apis Cor's show how additive manufacturing technology could be a game-changer for large-scale construction in the future.

By Chris Wood • March 8, 2017

Architects, chemists spar over antimicrobial building products

A recent white paper from Perkins+Will challenged the wellness-related claims of manufacturers using such coatings for surface and other finish materials.

By Chris Wood • March 8, 2017

$90M prefab tech hub set to open at the University of Maryland

Offsite modular construction was used to meet a tight schedule and expand material options for the project's thermal curtainwall. 

By Chris Wood • March 8, 2017

Losing its luster: Golden Gate Bridge turns to surface-plate replacement

The zinc-based paint used on the bridge can't keep up with the San Francisco Bay Area's rate of salt and fog corrosion.

By Chris Wood • March 8, 2017

A foot in the door: Danielle Dy Buncio on improving diversity by starting in schools

The CEO and president of Chicago-based VIATechnik explains the connection between employing workers with varied backgrounds and industry innovation.

By Mary Tyler March • March 8, 2017

BIM beats paper: How digital construction data management is becoming status quo

Mobile devices and the need to network disparate databases will both hasten the technology's adoption as the de facto construction management platform.

By Chris Wood • March 8, 2017

VA considers energy-efficiency update to residential building code

Homebuilders are pushing back on the move to change the state's model code for new residential construction.

By Sean Barry • March 8, 2017

Survey: One in 10 households opt in for smart-home technology

The rise of millennial renters and an uptick in builders eyeing the Internet of Things could be a boon for the emerging segment, according to Gartner.

By Mary Tyler March • March 7, 2017

PulteGroup rolls out virtual reality headsets to help buyers visualize their homes

The builder hopes the ability to experience the plan before construction starts will make buyers at two communities more comfortable with their investment.

By Sean Barry • March 6, 2017

Virtual reality kit visualizes safer living space for those with dementia

VR-empowered design for care facilities is expected to reduce construction costs by offering more insight during the design phase.

By Chris Wood • March 1, 2017

John Deere, LHP to launch single-source telematics platform

The mixed-fleet telemetry solution would collect and crunch data from all makes and models of equipment to streamline capture.

By Chris Wood • March 1, 2017

$250M tech hub planned for NYC's Union Square

The 258,000-square-foot project will create 800 construction jobs and be a center for New York City's startup community, though the building's tech has received limited discussion.

By Chris Wood • March 1, 2017

Microsoft tests deep-sea data centers for energy-efficient cooling, security

Submerging servers in oxygen-free pods could significantly reduce construction and cooling costs while lowering the equipment's vulnerability to attack.

By Chris Wood • March 1, 2017

A virtual 3-D model of Singapore shows one future for data-driven cities

Data on transit, public health, weather, buildings and more are coming together to offer a real-time view of the city-state in action.

By Chris Wood • March 1, 2017

Tried and tested: 24 construction apps at work on the job site

Safety, personnel and project management apps promise productivity gains as the last of the paper holdouts are assimilated into a mobile-first work environment. 

By Chris Wood • March 1, 2017

MIT startup Sistine Solar debuts camouflaging photovoltaics

The race to make residential rooftop solar systems more visually appealing — a factor, along with cost, that has been holding back adoption — continues.

By Sean Barry • March 1, 2017

Building virtual houses, bridging the gap between millennials and home buying

Builders are turning to virtual reality to pitch their homes to millennial buyers.

By Chantale Pitts • Feb. 28, 2017

Home appraisals to include energy rating scores

The Residential Energy Services Network and the Appraisal Institute will add Home Energy Rating System scores to appraisals, which could help finance green design.

By Sean Barry • Feb. 28, 2017

Lancaster, CA adds power requirement to rooftop solar rule

New houses in the city already must have solar panels, unless builders pay an opt-out fee. Now, those systems must average 2 watts per square foot.

By Sean Barry • Feb. 24, 2017

Amenities arms race: Developers attract millennial renters with high-end features

From dog-washing stations to yoga rooms to car-charging ports, luxe add-ons are drawing young renters to new developments that tout communal space and walkability. But how long will it last?

By Jeff Marcus • Feb. 23, 2017

DC DOT launches traffic and transportation data website

A new congestion analytics platform could help prioritize road and infrastructure investment in the nation's capital.

By Chris Wood • Feb. 22, 2017

Keeping the planes running on time: How construction tech cuts delays during airport upgrades

Drone flights, laser scanning and digital project documentation are being used to keep major projects on schedule and minimize disruption to airport operations.

By Chris Wood • Feb. 22, 2017