Without discounting the pain the 2020 pandemic has caused for so many, it’s pretty safe to say most of us are sick of coronavirus. Still, some good things are emerging from these hard times.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing us to find safer and smarter ways of building homes and offices,” said the World Economic Forum in August 2020.
- Big data and AI (artificial intelligence) during architectural design and construction process are rapidly transforming construction technology.
- Digital technology is driving prefab housing. This creates highly sustainable, high-quality housing faster.
9 Focal Points for Post-COVID Construction Technology
Global management authority McKinsey doesn’t mince words when it says the construction industry has performed unsatisfactorily for quite some time. We’ve ignored ecosystem development, even though it accounts for 13% of global GDP (gross domestic products). “Time and costs overruns are the norm,” says a recent report.
The pandemic has accelerated changes we’ve been slow to adopt. Post-COVID-19 construction technology will focus on:
- Digitalization
- Industrial approaches
- Lower costs
- New materials
- New profit sources
- Offsite manufacturing
- Skills scarcity
- Specialization
- Sustainability
Ways We’re Improving Construction Technology
Building Information Modeling (BIM) became more widely used during the pandemic lockdown. We worked on our projects virtually because we weren’t able to work on them in-person. This encouraged more communication and more collaboration.
We’re using AI designs for testing on virtual platforms. We can make smarter, more knowledgeable decisions about costs, requirements, and commitments. We can make those decisions early-on, which speeds up the entire construction process.
Offsite manufacturing is meeting the challenges of less labor onsite due to social distancing. Onsite construction – before COVID-19 – was at best an “uncontrolled environment.” Construction technology can support a safer work environment by analyzing activities and anticipating required worker movements. We can adjust workflows to separate people or create workgroups and shifts to reduce risks.
Construction Monitor: One of the Most Valued Construction Technology Sources in the United States
Every week we compile big data on thousands of U.S. residential, commercial, and solar construction projects nationwide. You can use our information to
- Follow sales leads
- Identify competitors, newcomers, and top contractors
- Make better bids
- Track construction statistics
Get a free sample edition for your area and contact Construction Monitor us to learn ways construction technology can increase your business.
You’re absolutely right that it’s time for the construction industry to improve its use of technology. I think there’s a big role for 3D scanning and reality capture post-covid. Scans of as-built data would be great for helping improve those design decisions you mentioned; if the scans can be taken autonomously by a robot, then you can also help improve site safety and reduce people flow through the site.