From January to February of 2020, most countries of the world were going on as usual. Then came the Covid-19 Pandemic, which practically rattled the global economy. Its impact on the economy was particularly alarming as it affected all industries. The construction industry didn’t remain unaffected either. The onslaught of Covid-19 bought on new trends […]
From January to February of 2020, most countries of the world were going on as usual. Then came the Covid-19 Pandemic, which practically rattled the global economy. Its impact on the economy was particularly alarming as it affected all industries.
The construction industry didn’t remain unaffected either. The onslaught of Covid-19 bought on new trends like social distancing among workers, supply chain breaks, problems in cash flow and a rise in teleworking.
This article will give you 10 construction industry trends that will continue in 2021 and most likely will do so in the coming years.
When it comes to the construction industry, safety was never taken lightly. However, the pandemic changed the whole game. Now safety is a top priority. Companies have to take the safety of workers seriously, for even if one worker is affected by the pandemic, the whole operation may have to be halted.
Companies have engaged in various ways to limit the transmission or spread of the virus. They have invested in cleanliness protocols and better equipment for enhancing productivity while keeping their personnel safe.
It is true that in jobs like construction, one can seldom work in isolation. However, there are now smaller crews working multiple shifts. This results in a worksite being less crowded. Additionally, hand sanitizers, gloves, hard hats and masks are readily available at the job site.
The use of living materials may not be a new development in construction, but it is undoubtedly one whose use has increased during the last few years. More and more new homeowners are opting for such materials when given a choice.
We’re talking about the use of bacteria and fungi in construction due to their superior binding ability. These biological compounds grow themselves and are stated to be used in full-scale construction projects very soon.
Construction materials comprised of bacteria and fungi are stronger, lighter and are surprisingly lighter.
For instance, there are Mycelium composites that are made of fungi. These networks of living fungi are found underground. Mushrooms are flowers of such networks. It will be interesting to add that the Honey Fungus of Oregon spans over 2.5 miles underground and is thousands of years old. It does give edible mushrooms, but it is now being harvested by feeding it farm waste.
Another example is self-mending concrete. This concrete is saturated with bacteria, which strongly binds the surrounding materials, creating new structural material. Such material can grow in the pores of the concrete, adding to its strength and impermeability.
The material can grow in fissures and cracks as well and thus repairs and fills them. Such a bacteria is now being developed in creating a unique building material on its own, one that can be made into various sizes and shapes.
By Remote, we don’t mean completely remote construction since that is not possible as of yet. The word here means anything which aids in completing a construction project faster.
An excellent example of this is a drone. Almost all construction projects nowadays see the use of drones. In fact, the construction industry was one of the first ones to use this new technology.
Drones help project managers and supervisors by giving them a birds-eye view of the whole project. This, therefore, helps in discovering safety issues, danger areas, and much more. They even help in estimating quantities of materials on-site and in the making of orthomosaicmaps.
Drones can save you a substantial amount of money due to their accurate assessment of construction materials, reduction of insurance claims, timely progress, giving information quickly, and making quick time and labour adjustments to meet any situation.
In a construction project’s manager’s office, the use of blockchain technology is becoming quite common. This is useful for getting real-time information on transactions, payments, task scheduling and completion, revision of work schedules, and more.
Construction companies are slowly noticing the many benefits of using 3-D printing technology. True, it has both benefits and downsides, but the advantages can’t be ignored. In the industry, 3-D printing is commonly used to lay vertical piles according to a set program and design.
The use of 3-D printing is stated to increase rapidly in the coming years. The technology is being used to create not just vertical piles but entire neighbourhoods! A home development company in Mexico has raised $35 million after doing just that.
In factories, 3-D printing is being used to create more minor components of a larger whole. The material of make is usually plastic.
While it won’t replace injection moulding anytime soon, this technology enables the creation of custom items more affordable for companies.
In the post-pandemic times, modular construction and prefabricated properties shall become more popular. Its use will rise as both the process of manufacturing and the result are ideal for such times.
The creation of manufactured buildings goes through a process that promotes low worker density and social distancing. It saves the company money since it enables fewer employees to move more oversized items with lifts, conveyors and ceiling cranes. Thus, one saves labour costs and enjoys reduced worker density.
Manufactured buildings are typically small enough to be moved by trucks. These are ideal in a world where people desire more separation and isolation.
However, these are ideal for use in urban areas as well. For instance, one can develop additional rooms for a hospital.
Prefabricated buildings are affordable but temporary. This trend will only continue in the future.
Even before the pandemic, design tech was widely used in construction planning. It has come too far and is of too much practical value to be abandoned suddenly. Property designers and contractors can create a virtual model of the property before making the real thing.
You may have heard about AutoCAD or simply CAD and its use in construction. Well, it is slowly replaced by better solutions like BIM (Building Information Modeling.) Such solutions have found use in development property design and its production.
In BIM, there is no drawing. You have a virtual model of the building and can take images to make the drawing set. One can practice constructing the building in a virtual environment before building it in the real world.
BIM and similar solutions are more valuable for builders. Contractors frequently refer to the VDC or Virtual Design and Construction. It allows them to predict problems in connections, coordination, and components- all that before the work can even begin! Thus, VDC and BIM save construction companies money.
The demand for energy-efficient homes is on the rise. These serve two purposes.
People are becoming more energy conscious as each year goes by. They now understand that it pays to conserve power and to save on utility bills. That is why they are now going for smaller but energy-efficient house plans. These properties are budget-friendly and sustainable.
The practice of combining building materials is taking the world by storm, and for a good reason too. For instance, many standalone properties now have brick first floors and wooden second floors. These give aesthetic appeal while adding to durability.
Modern technology makes it possible to have your mix of building materials. Your choice is practically endless, but as long as it is viable, safe and within your budget.
Along with the use of mixing building materials, the use of recyclable materials is also on the rise. People are now more environment-conscious, and thus the rise of eco-friendly materials is here to stay.
Materials used for this purpose include:
These ensure there will not be any waste post-construction. That makes them an excellent choice for those homeowners who care for the environment.
The pandemic has forced many people to work from home. This has bought about a trend where homeowners wish to use their homes for multiple purposes. For instance, they want their homes to be used as their office, or they want to include a gym, a school, etc.
Standard construction materials are getting costly since recyclable materials and hemp are increasingly being used. The problem is augmented by higher import tax tariffs and the loss of jobs.
On the bright side, the rising cost of materials is balanced due to:
The use of French Windows is quite widespread already. However, its use was limited in properties. Now, the use of floor-to-ceiling windows is on the rise. People who can afford them desire more light, calmness and space in their homes, which these windows give.
As you have seen, these are the top new home construction trends in 2021. These trends have a high likelihood of continuing down the years. But one thing cannot be ignored. Most of these trends rose due to the pandemic and its resultant social isolation and for people’s growing love for nature.
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