Category: Features
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Is Modular Construction Destined to Fail?
The construction sector is a harsh environment for innovation. I’ve been following the story of one Finnish innovative contractor, Lehto Group, over the years with enthusiasm. I was saddened to hear that the group’s three significant subsidiaries joined the ranks of many Finnish contractors who have filed for bankruptcy over the last six months. Lehto…
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BIM Clash Detection Unveiled: A Step-by-Step Approach
Discover the best practices for executing BIM clash detection in construction projects and the positive impact of incorporating structured model reviews. In the previous article of this series, we discussed the basics of clash detection: why it is elemental to the success of a project, what are various types of clashes, how to speed up…
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Will Apple Vision Pro Be Game-Changing for the AEC Sector?
Despite their potential, AR and VR have yet to impact the construction industry substantially. Could Apple’s new spatial computing device open the floodgates for mainstream adoption in the AEC sector? Customers in the USA received the first units of Apple Vision Pro last week. MacRumors said Apple sold around 200,000 units in the first ten days. Reviewers…
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Make a BIM Converts Drawings into BIM Models Automatically
BIM software has existed for over 30 years, but most buildings are documented in 2D drawings. What if we could convert old drawings into BIM models automatically? I spoke with Leo Salomaa, the CEO and Co-Founder of Make a BIM, about the importance of automatic BIM conversion and how their company implements it. Leo is…
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Takt in Shipbuilding: A Cabin Module Rolls Out Every 15 Minutes
The shipbuilding world may seem far removed from the construction industry, but valuable lessons can be learned from how ships are assembled using modular and lean methods. Minna Rosvall of YLE wrote an article about how cabins are manufactured using Takt production at the Piikkiö Works factory in southwestern Finland. The factory has operated for…
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Unveiling the Power of BIM Clash Detection for Optimal Project Outcomes
Clash detection has a high return on investment in the design and construction process. A considerable amount of time and money will be saved if collisions in design models are registered and fixed early on. We’ll look at clash detection, why it is essential, and how to do it efficiently with BIM technology. Small things…
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Planora is on a Mission to Liberate Digital Communication
The way we transfer data between organizations and systems has remained the same since the early days of the Internet. Planora, a Finnish company, has developed a radically new concept that simplifies communication, makes it safer, and saves IT costs considerably. I talked with Esa Teppo, the Managing Director, to learn more about the solution.…
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Revolutionizing Buildings with Hybrid Energy Systems and Demand Response
A recent study conducted by the Finnish Building Services 2030 group explores the potential technologies and business prospects for adaptable energy systems within buildings. Building Services 2030 is a Finnish consortium of Aalto University, Tampere University, and 14 industry partners. The consortium has defined a shared vision for the Finnish building service sector and researches…
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AI for AEC in Practice
I gave a presentation titled “AI in practice: the different promising fields for the construction sector” at the High Level Construction Forum of the European Commission on November 23, 2023. Here are my notes and slides for the presentation. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are also on the construction technologists’ agenda. Amazingly, some of the…
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Revamping the Construction Value Chain for Better Results
Industrialized construction is crucial in meeting housing needs affordably. There are many ways to industrialize construction. Fira, a Finnish contractor, has developed its model with excellent results. Finnish contractors have used precast concrete panels and slabs to build apartments since the 1960s. That speeds up the construction of the structural frame, facades, and stairways. However,…