Building and development in Manhattan is busier than ever, so why are companies losing millions of dollars? Some architects are blaming the Department of Buildings, which has 500 inspectors and too many requests for their expertise. The New York Post says few applicants have the required background as a construction supervisor. Currently, inspectors have to…(Read More)
To improve collaborative efforts between construction firms, contractors, and the supply chain, many owners are turning to cloud-based technology. A project information management software company, Newforma, is one player in the market. Their Software-as-a-Service package, Newforma Contract Administration, provides cloud-based communication and documentation for project stakeholders. Files and work are…(Read More)
Teams of building inspectors are making their way through Napa Valley, CA following the recent earthquake and many aftershocks. Scores of structures have been red-tagged by authorities, deeming them uninhabitable. Engineers and others are curious to determine the effectiveness of years of earthquake preparedness and structural retrofitting in the downtown area, according to an…(Read More)
How can 4D CAD building modelling improve various phases of projects? It can help construction pros, engineers, and architects visualize scheduling and improve coordination between various departments and entities. It can also advance documentation and communication. A review of 4D modelling on Archinect.com addresses some potential limitations to 4D. One is the necessity of…(Read More)
July brought some heat to the U.S., but it also delivered good news about the construction of apartment buildings. The U.S. Commerce Department reports that last month was the busiest for the construction of multiple-unit buildings since 1989. Apartment permits increased 17.5 percent in July, as compared with the same period…(Read More)
Is it the end of the mega-hospital? Health care facilities are moving from monolithic, acute care settings to urgent care-type retail stores scattered around communities. “It would be safe to say that the vast majority of existing hospitals are overbuilt and do not staff the number of patient beds the hospitals were originally…(Read More)
Nearly 40 percent of women with engineering degrees either leave the field after five years or never work in it at all. The research was presented at the American Psychological Association’s annual conference. “Among women who left less than five years ago, two-thirds said they pursued better opportunities in other fields while a…(Read More)
The head of the New York Building Congress predicts construction spending in New York City will jump 10 percent in 2014 to $31.5 billion. It would be the first time construction spending has exceeded $30 billion since 2010. Richard Anderson, president of the New York Building Congress, says there is a lot of confidence…(Read More)
3 Reasons to Use Metaphors in Business Communication The rapid pace of technology and the world makes it more challenging than ever to connect with people, especially those with whom we want to build consensus and influence. While words are powerful, the human brain is wired to think in pictures and images. For example,…(Read More)
“The latest Mercer compensation report found that the average pay raise expected to be doled out in 2015 will be 3 percent, up from 2.7 percent in 2012.” That’s according to Dan Cook’s post on BeneftsPro.com. While the numbers may be encouraging as the U.S. continues its gradual climb out…(Read More)
