by Jeffrey C Kadlowec, Registered Architect Improving the sustainability of urban development will rely on integration of green construction. Economic growth, ecological balance, and social equilibrium are the core principles for any stable urban area [1]. This can be achieved by focusing on energy and water efficiency, reducing operating cost, saving non-renewable resources, and improving environmental friendliness. Government standards have been set in many of these areas, and more people—both in and out of the industry—have adopted the mindset towards sustainable development. Total Quality Management (TQM) is the idea applied across service and manufacturing sectors to enhance the quality in.

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by Jeffrey C Kadlowec, Registered Architect The design and construction industry continues to suffer from low productivity and poor performance at a growing cost to owners and investors [1]. Much of this due to inadequate project management and lack of formal communication, leading to misunderstanding and adversarial relationships between team members. Adopting a more collaborative approach and utilizing the integrated project delivery (IPD) system in design-build (DB) multi-party agreements will result in greater project success and increased profitability for all stakeholders. Cost overruns of 50% – 100% are common in large-scale projects, with some even exceeding twice the original estimates.

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by Shirley Martin (shirley@tidylifetoday.com) As a homeowner, have you ever looked around and felt like your space is no longer inspiring or exciting? Maybe it’s time to rejuvenate your living space and give it a fresh, new look. The good news is you don’t have to break the bank to achieve this. In this article, ART-IS-ZEN shares some simple and cost-effective tips to help revive and refresh your home while keeping your budget in check. Bring Life Back to Old Furniture Old furniture can still be in great condition and has a lot of potential to be revived. You can.

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by Jeffrey C Kadlowec, Registered Architect Lean Construction focuses on increase production efficiency while simultaneously reducing waste. These continuous improvements can only be achieved by investing in people, as tools and equipment must be sustained through labor [1]. This concept does not intend to create a stress-free environment, rather a challenging one where personnel can learn and grow by entrusting and empowering them with responsibility and authority. A recent study in Denmark [1] regarding project management, work environment and health & safety, revealed that unrealistic commitment plans and poor communication with management as the most significant issues hindering worker performance..

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by Jeffrey C Kadlowec, Registered Architect The construction industry is complex and fragmented [1] unlike manufacturing which has become well-refined and high-automated. Challenges remain in labor productivity and performance which are result in project changes and delays. This coupled with inconsistency in information and misinterpretation of plans result misunderstanding by stakeholders that negatively impact company profitability and project sustainability. The development, implementation and utilization of building information modeling (BIM) software within the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) sector provides opportunities to increase productivity and efficiency [1]. This technology is changing the way buildings are designed, constructed and operated. It allows.

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by Jeffrey C Kadlowec, Registered Architect The construction industry continues to be plagued by poor final quality, large budget overruns, low worker efficiency, high frequency of accidents, and huge amounts of waste [1]. With a continually growing demand, managers must explore new ideas and methods to improve performance. Although parallels to the manufacturing industry are often made, a comparison illustrates the opposite in many key areas. Table 1: Aspects of Manufacturing and Construction [1] To reduce the bottleneck occurring during hand-off of the traditional Design-Bid-Build (DBB) method, the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) was developed to bring contractors and inspectors onboard.

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by Jeffrey C Kadlowec, Registered Architect The success of any construction project is dependent on a wide variety of performance indicators. These greatly affect the labor profitability of a construction company making them commonly discussed and well-debated topic [1]. Manufacturing industries are highly standardized and extremely automated under controlled conditions, so comparisons to this sector are not accurate or entirely relevant. The changing site conditions, variety of building trades, and numerous stakeholders with conflicting interests create an environment where strategic management becomes crucial. Productivity has been important to competitiveness and prosperity since the beginning of industrialization [2]. It can be.

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Abstract Material costs, labor shortages and tight schedules have caused architects, engineers and contractors to explore alternate project delivery methods. Overlapping design and build operations in varying degrees has the potential to reduce construction time and production costs. Integrated project delivery and multi-party agreements allow project teams to work in collaborative ways not envisioned by traditional design-bid-build. Lean construction and fast tracking strive the improve quality, reduce waste and avoid conflicts. Building information modeling allows for better planning, while sustainable practices focus on reducing life cycle costs. Research concludes that the design-build method is an improvement over traditional methods of.

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Article by Shirley Martin, shirley@tidylifetoday.com Photo by Anete Lusina, Pexels Starting a custom property build can feel daunting, but it might be the best way to build the property portfolio you want. Follow this guide from ART-IS-ZEN architecture + engineering to learn the basics of why you might want to custom-build a property, what to consider, and what to know. Why Do a Custom Build? Whether you’re looking to start or expand your property portfolio, a custom build might be the best choice. Especially if you want to develop an investment property with multiple residences, a custom build could be.

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Abstract Construction is an essential service and has recently experienced unprecedented growth. A veil of mystery however shrouds the industry for those not directly involved in its daily operations, while its traditions and complexities take decades to master even by those most prevalent in the industry. Gender segregation, ethnic divisions and employment organization create barriers for individuals at all levels. Unique health and safety risks subject the construction laborer to a wide variety of stresses. OSHA was created to ensure the well-being of workers through enforceable standards, education and training. Fatalities and occupational injuries are declining overall but remain higher.

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