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Hempcrete could be used in the industry in some ways. it could save money in some aspects and is a lot light

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Hempcrete is a bio-composite made of the inner woody core of the hemp plant mixed with a lime-based binder. The hemp core or "Shiv" has a high silica content which allows it to bind well with lime. This property is unique to hemp among all natural fibers. The result is a lightweight cementitious insulating material weighing about a seventh or an eighth of the weight of concrete. Fully cured hempcrete blocks float in a bucket of water. It is not used as a structural element, only as insulating infill between the frame members though it does tend to reduce racking. All loads are carried by internal framing. Wood stud framing is most common making it suitable for low-rise construction. Hempcrete buildings ten stories high have been built in Europe.

The material is mixed in mortar mixers for 1-2 minutes and stuffed by hand into the wall cavities. The wall is slip-formed with temporary wooden or plastic "shuttering" forming the inner/outer surface forms. The material is lightweight and can be moved easily about the site in tubs and passed up bucket-brigade fashion to workers filling the cavities. Site clean-up is easy. Simply till it into the soil.

The material is finished on the outside with a hard render coating about 20mm thick to protect it with a final colored topcoat finish added. The end result appears like any stucco finished building. The inside can be left natural or finished with lime plaster for a traditional look.

Hempcrete was discovered in a bridge abutment in France built in the 6th century. Since its rediscovery it has seen growing use in Europe. Industrial hemp is grown by certified commercial growers so the crop can be certified to be very low in THC. Hemp is not psychoactive. Given it has survived 14 centuries, people expect hempcrete buildings will have a long life.

Hemp itself is a beneficial crop requiring no fertilizer, weed killer, pesticide or fungicide. It grows so thickly that weeds cannot grow. Farmers grow it in rotation with other crops such as barley or rye. The crop following the hemp requires no weed killer because the hemp has driven weeds out. The hemp seed is harvested as a nutritious food supplement rich in Omega-3 oil, amino acids, protein and fiber. It is considered a "super food". The outer fibers are used for cloth usually as a blend with 45% cotton. The woody inner core is chopped to uniform size for our use. It has been traditionally used as animal bedding. Thoroughbred horse owners demand it.

For over 60 years, growing hemp in America has been illegal, because it resembles its psychoactive cousin marijuana. It is grown legally in Europe, the UK and Canada through a system of licensed growers producing seed certified low in THC (<.05%). Farmers must buy their seed from these seed growers and their fields are inspected periodically. Our hemp must be imported from the UK. A new plant to process the hemp core is being built in Canada so there should be a North American supplier soon.

This added shipping reduces the carbon-negative feature of hempcrete in North America and adds to production costs. It causes additional logistic costs since we had to buy a 40-foot container of material and store it on site. You must have people waiting for the truck with rented equipment to empty it, and you need dry weather. The truck charges nearly a hundred dollars an hour wait time while you unload for half a day. We filled a two-car garage with our material leaving a 4 foot margin for work around the edges. You have to keep this material dry until used so plan for adequate tarps.

For technical details and sources, check the Wikipedia entry for Hempcrete.

Tradical® Hemcrete® Overview

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Can I use smaller foundations for a Tradical® Hemcrete® house?
A: Yes, you may be able to use shallower/smaller foundations, subject your engineer's recommendations and local building codes.

Q: How thick do the walls have to be to comply with Building Regulations?
A We recommend 300mm for most domestic applications.

Q: Can Tradical® Hemcrete® be used in a loadbearing capacity?
A: It is normally used together with a timber frame (or steel or concrete), with the frame transferring the vertical load of the roof and upper floors. The Hemcrete® can be used to provide racking strength to the frame if required.

Q: Is Tradical® Hemcrete® available as blocks?
A: Yes, blocks are available from American Lime Technology (contact link). They come in two grades: - Structural blocks & Thermal blocks

Q: Is Tradical® Hemcrete® fire proof?
A: Yes. Contact us for test details.

Q: Can Tradical® Hemcrete® be used for other building purposes besides walls?
A: Yes. Contact us for test details.

Q: Does Tradical® Hemcrete® need weather protection?
A: Hemcrete® walls are normally finished with a lime render or covered with a rain-screen cladding (masonry or timber) of some sort to protect them from the weather. We expect to launch a weather proof Hemcrete®, which will not need rendering, in the near future.

Q: If it is used as an external wall does it need a cavity?
A: No. Tradical® Hemcrete® provides the insulation and is used as a monolithic (solid) walling material.

Q: Does it need expansion joints when used in long walls, if so how often?
A: No. The mechanical characteristics of Tradical® Hemcrete® are such that movement joints are not normally required.

Q: How air-tight is Tradical® Hemcrete® ?
A: Because Hemcrete® is used to build monolithic walls, it is extremely air-tight and air leakage through the walls is negligible. The actual fi gure is approx. 0.75 g/m2/mmHg. Typical air leakage 1-3 air changes/hour @ 50 pascals

Material Selection

Q: Does Tradical® Hemcrete® have a warranty?
A: Tradical® Hemcrete® carries a manufacturers warranty covering the replacement of any defective material. The contractor or sub-contractor installing the Hemcrete® would warranty the work (subject to the conditions of the contract used).

Q: How much does it cost to build with Tradical® Hemcrete®?
A: Cost obviously depends on scale and design, however spray applied Tradical® Hemcrete® is comparable with conventional construction costs.

Q: Can Tradical® Hemcrete® be used in the renovation of old buildings?
A: Yes, Tradical® Hemcrete® can be used to form infill panels for historic timber framed buildings.

Q: How high can a building of Tradical® Hemcrete® be designed?
A: The Hemcrete® is not load-bearing, so the limitation is only on the structural frame.

Q: How much CO2 is locked up in Tradical® Hemcrete®?
A: Spray applied Hemcrete® locks up around 110kg of CO2 per cubic metre. Shuttered and cast Hemcrete® locks up around 110kg to 165kg of CO2 per cubic metre, depending on the level of compaction during construction.

Q: Does Tradical® Hemcrete® breathe?
A: Yes. The word breathability is often used to describe Hemcrete® buildings. There are various ways in which materials deal with moisture (water vapour permeability, capillarity and hygroscopicity). Tradical® Hemcrete® performs well in all these areas in order to provide a healthy internal environment.

Maintenance Questions

Q: Is Tradical® Hemcrete® resistant to pests?
A: The Tradical® HB binder protects against rodent and insect infestation.

Q: How long will Tradical® Hemcrete® last?
A: The use of plant based materials mixed with mineral binders such as lime or clay go back thousands of years. We know that the effects of the binder (high ph and good capillarity/vapor permeability) create a perfect environment in which to preserve the hemp shiv. Consequently we have confidence in anticipating a life-span of Hemcrete® buildings measured in centuries.

Construction Questions

Q: How do I know whether it is better to cast or spray the Hemcrete® in my walls?
A: In general casting is used for smaller projects (less than 50-70 cubic meters) or where labor is provided by volunteers or self builders. Casting becomes more economic for larger projects (in excess of 70 cubic meters).

Q: Can Tradical® Hemcrete® be installed in the winter?
A: Yes, providing the temperature is not below 5°C and the material is protected from frost and heavy rain.

Q: How do I find a contractor to use Hemcrete®?
A: Your Tradical® Hemcrete® supplier will be able to give you a list of spray contractors who operate nationwide.

Q: How high can one build in a day with Tradical® Hemcrete®?
A: There is no real limit other than practical arrangements on the site.

Q: Where can I buy Tradical® Hemcrete®?
A: Tradical® Hemcrete® can be purchased directly from American Lime Technology, contact us.

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Hempcrete is a bio-composite made of the inner woody core of the hemp plant mixed with a lime-based binder. The hemp core or "Shiv" has a high silica content which allows it to bind well with lime. This property is unique to hemp among all natural fibers.

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Leveling slabs could be hard and tedious but with new technology it gets easier.

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Cracked sidewalk or foundation slab? PolyLevel™ is a high quality self-leveling and lifting foam that is much more effective and affordable than mud-jacking and concrete replacement. Contact your local PolyLevel™ contractor today for a free estimate!

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Pervious concrete is and great for parking lots because of its ability to drain.

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Pervious Concrete?? Did you know concrete can be designed to let water drain right through it? This kind of drainable concrete is great for parking lots, driveways, and anywhere storm water runoff can cause problems for a regular parking area.

How is Pervious Concrete made?

Pervious concrete is a mixture of coarse aggregate, Portland cement, water and little to no sand. A typical pervious (porous) concrete pavement has a 15-25% void structure and allows 3-8 gallons of water per minute to pass through each square foot.

This permeable type of concrete is made with gap-graded aggregate, which means all the pieces are similar in size. This ensures that open spaces remain in the concrete, rather than being filled in with smaller coarse aggregate particles and fine aggregate. This will allow water to pass through freely, making pervious paved concrete a great alternative for large and small parking areas.

Using gap-graded aggregate gives this "drainable" concrete an open surface that looks like popcorn and varies depending on the coarseness and type of aggregate used.

For example, using 3/8 inch top-size aggregate allows the surface to remain open to water infiltration but dense enough to not cause problems for people walking with high heeled shoes. Using larger aggregate produces a more open surface allowing water to pass through more quickly.

The type of aggregate used also effects both the surface appearance and its placement. Pervious made with crushed stone or other angular aggregate requires more compactive effort than that made with rounded aggregate.

Mix design is a very important part of a successful pervious placement. Adding too much cement to a pervious mix actually may weaken the final product. A mix with 3/8 inch aggregate may need about 400 to 500 pounds of cement per cubic yard of concrete, because the paste is most effective when it is no more than 0.015 inches thick.

The best pervious mix is placed relatively dry and stiff but with a paste that is wet and sticky. The water to cement ratio is usually between 0.26 and 0.35, with low cement content, meaning the mix is quite dry.

Adding a pound of 3/4 inch polypropylene fibers per cubic yard of concrete helps bond the coarse aggregate and wick water after the concrete hardens. Properly mixing the fibers in the dry concrete can sometimes be challenging. Balls of fiber as large as tennis balls may sometimes occur, just make sure they get pushed down to the bottom of the placement and no structural concerns will arise.

Placing pervious (penetrable) concrete is straight forward and a relatively quick process. The basic steps are forming the edges, spreading the concrete, striking it off high and compacting it to grade, rolling in joints if desired, and curing.

The steps go in rapid succession so make sure you have all the tools required and readily available. The goal is to place, compact and cover the concrete within 20 minutes so it doesn't dry out too quickly.

For other interesting facts about concrete click on
PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE DENSITY OF CONCRETE CONCRETE ADMIXTURES
SCC CONCRETE ALSO KNOW AS SELF-CONSOLIDATING CONCRETE
FLY ASH CONCRETE LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE REDI MIX CONCRETE Return from Pervious Concrete to History of Concrete Return from Pervious Concrete to Everything About Concrete Home Page
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Pervious Concrete - What is Pervious Concrete?

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Pervious Concrete?? Did you know concrete can be designed to let water drain right through it? This kind of drainable concrete is great for parking lots, driveways, and anywhere storm water runoff can cause problems for a regular parking area. Pervious concrete is a mixture of coarse aggregate, Portland cement, water and little to no sand.

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Solar road ways could create a lot of energy and not use up space because they would just replace the road surface

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Solar panels that you can drive, park and walk on. They melt snow & cut greenhouse gases by 75% ?!!! | Check out 'Solar Roadways' on Indiegogo.

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Sustainability is important in construction because resources are limited and saving energy is a great thing to strive for.

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When it comes to commercial spaces, building green and making green aren't mutually exclusive.

In fact, with the right design plan and professional team in place, business owners can increase productivity and profitability by applying green-building standards to new constructions and old.

Forget what you've heard about the costs of sustainable commercial construction outweighing the benefits. Building a green commercial or retail space can be a sure way to help the planet and your bottom line.

What is sustainable commercial construction?

Economic well-being is built into the definition of sustainable development.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it is "the ability to achieve continuing economic prosperity while protecting the natural systems of the planet and providing a high quality of life for its people." Or, as defined in 1987 at the U.N. World Commission on Environment and Development, sustainable development "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

Future generations will need water, clean air, and resources for building and operating their own constructions.

To that end, sustainable commercial construction uses resources responsibly and efficiently and protects and contributes to the health of the planet and its inhabitants.

These "high-performance" buildings may use gray water or harvested rainwater to irrigate, be located within walking distance of public transportation, and have designated areas for recycling and composting waste, among other measures.

They all take into account the five key aspects of green building: site sustainability, water efficiency, energy efficiency, enhanced indoor environmental quality and sustainable materials.

The goal is to reduce consumption and pollution from cradle to grave - from the building's construction to its ultimate deconstruction.

A brief history

The idea of sustainable construction is new, but not as new as you might think.

As far back as the 1850s, builders in Europe were implementing innovative measures to moderate indoor air temperatures.

Fast-forward to the early 20th century, when commercial buildings like department stores and high-rises were being built with rooftop gardens and window shades, deep-set windows, and retractable awnings for shading sun.

When gas prices skyrocketed in the United States in the early 1970s, Americans began to see the danger in relying so much on fossil fuels to power buildings and transportation systems.

In short order, the American Institute of Architects formed an environmental committee, the U.S. government created the Department of Energy, and new technologies, such as photovoltaics, began to emerge.

Architects and builders became increasingly interested in using building products that had a minimal impact on the environment throughout their life cycle.

Green building really came into its own in the 1990s, with the federal government leading the way through some important projects, like the Greening of the White House in 1993 - an experiment that resulted in annual savings of $300,000 in energy and water consumption, landscaping expenses, and solid-waste costs and in a reduction of carbon emissions by 845 tons a year.

Keep reading:

* Part II: Why go green in commercial construction?

* Part III: Green certification and commercial buildings

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When it comes to commercial spaces, building green and making green aren't mutually exclusive. In fact, with the right design plan and professional team in place, business owners can increase productivity and profitability by applying green-building standards to new constructions and old. Forget what you've heard about the costs of sustainable commercial construction outweighing the benefits.

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Some new trend that will be coming out or to look out for. Laser scanning could make things a lot faster in the design process.

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Now that 2015 has come and gone, construction professionals are focusing attention on the year ahead. Analysts predict 2016 will be a strong year for the industry, as Dodge Data & Analytics' 2016 Construction Outlook report predicted 6% growth, with the value of construction starts reaching an estimated $712 billion.

We talked with experts from various sectors of the construction industry to find out their predictions for 2016. Their answers varied from new technology trends, to workforce concerns, to homebuyer preferences. But one common thread connected all of the experts: They have high hopes that 2016 will bring strong demand and booming business.

"I don't think I could be any more optimistic for 2016," Bud LaRosa, chief business performance officer and chief financial officer for Tocci Building Companies, told Construction Dive. "These are truly the good times."

Here are the top 10 trends to watch in 2016, according to the experts:

1. Skilled labor shortage will continue to plague construction companies

The most commonly mentioned trend for 2016 was the continued effects of the skilled worker shortage. A significant portion of employees who left the industry during the recession never returned, and companies are still struggling to find workers at all levels to properly staff their teams.

"The overwhelming, number one issue is access to skilled labor," Dominic Thasarathar, Autodesk's senior industry program manager for construction and natural resources, told Construction Dive. "So many people left the industry or were laid off, and now there's a real struggle to find the right people to staff the projects that are now coming online."

The overwhelming, number one issue is access to skilled labor

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The labor crisis is not a new issue, and most experts predict it will continue well into 2016 and beyond, as the talent deficit will require multiple years to fill up again.

"Not only has the construction industry struggled to appeal to a younger, more technologically savvy workforce, but during the economic downturn, many companies opted not to bring in younger, newer talent," said Tom Menk, an assurance partner with BDO's national real estate and construction practice. "Now, that's causing struggles to fill that gap in the workforce, which is coupled with the need across industries for companies to replace retiring baby boomers."

Another significant concern: The slowdown in immigration has contributed to the already existing labor shortage, as reports have found many workers who returned to Mexico during the recession have not come back to the U.S. due to increased immigration controls and more job opportunities in Mexico.

"I think politically, the environment against immigration has changed some of the workforce dynamics and made it difficult to staff a lot of the trades," LaRosa said. "I think that trend continues. I don't see that easing anytime in the next two to three years."

2. Prefab/offsite construction methods will become more popular

Offsite - also known as modular or prefabricated - construction has been gaining ground as an alternative building method that offers the benefits of reduced construction time, less waste and possible cost savings. As companies struggle to staff job sites and stick to difficult schedules, many have started to turn to prefab as an option that offers more certainty.

"A lot of use of things like prefabrication, we expect that to be an accelerating trend next year," Thasarathar said.

Ron Antevy, president and CEO of e-Builder, told Construction Dive he has seen a growing use of prefab methods, especially in the healthcare sector.

"(Prefab) is up-and-coming. That's a way to save costs and speed up the time," he said. "Some of the larger owners out there are starting to realize there are efficiencies there, but you have to be doing a certain amount of volume for these kinds of strategies to pay off."

Wider implementation of offsite construction has been somewhat hindered by the design and construction culture, according to experts at the Offsite Construction Expo in September. They also cited the change in the traditional building process that comes with offsite methods as a deterrent for implementing the approach, as contractors and owners struggle to adapt to the varied timeline of decisions and building. Still, the additional certainty that comes with prefab could catalyze the growing trend in 2016.

3. Construction companies will be more cautious about project selection

The crippling recession and lingering labor shortage have spurred another trend among construction industry decision makers: Many are now being more cautious about the amount of new work they can handle, and about growing their companies.

We as general contractors have become a lot more selective of the projects we pursue

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"(Companies) are not going to overeat. They're only taking the work they can handle," Chris Kennedy, vice president of Suffolk Construction, told Construction Dive. "It's different from the last boom, when people were signing up for work. Everybody still has those recent wounds. They're going to be a lot more cautious about growing a firm bigger than they can handle."

The labor shortage has left employers at all levels forced to take a closer look at the number and size of projects they can handle at once.

"We as general contractors have become a lot more selective of the projects we pursue," Chuck Taylor, director of operations for Englewood Construction, told Construction Dive. "I think the subcontractors are going to be in a very similar position."

4. BIM will become a necessity, and owner interest in the technology will grow

Building Information Modeling has been a growing trend for years, as it is no longer relegated to just the largest firms. Experts have said BIM provides tangible business benefits, no matter the level of implementation. Many have cited BIM's ability to provide more consistent, more accurate and less time-consuming project document generation. In addition, BIM users can expect better collaboration and coordination among the different parties involved in a project, according to industry users.

"It used to be a nice thing to have, and now it's a necessity," LaRosa said.

Jay Dacey, president of Integrated Builders, added, "In the bigger jobs, BIM is pretty much a staple right now."

Antevy said he has seen owner interest in BIM grow, as many are now requiring their contractors to utilize the technology.

"The owners have been hands-off as it relates to BIM. It has been for the contractors and designers, so we're seeing owners start to get more interested in that," he said. "They're interested because there's data there that they can capture and capitalize on."

5. Green building will grow in commercial and residential sectors

Commercial construction has typically led the pack in green adoption, but the residential sector is starting to catch up. The growing trend in both sectors is driven not just by a desire to produce environmentally friendly structures, but by consumer demand, higher-quality results and lifecycle cost savings, according to experts at Greenbuild 2015.

Thasarathar said that with larger construction projects, companies are aiming for LEED certification, "even if it's not prescribed."

Dacey added that although developments outside of city centers tend to not prioritize LEED as much, "almost every building design incorporates green principles." He said he expects green building and LEED certification to continue growing in the coming years.

In the residential sector, green building currently accounts for 26-33% of the total residential market and has helped contribute to the industry's recovery after the recession, according to Dodge Data & Analytics.

"I do think (green building) is a growing trend in response to demand," Robert Dietz, an economist with the National Association of Home Builders, told Construction Dive. He pointed to the aging in place movement as a driving force for that demand, as baby boomers are remodeling their current homes and seeking out ways to increase energy efficiency and reduce utility bills.

6. Jobsite accidents and criminal indictments on the rise

Last year, authorities across the U.S. pumped up efforts to seek out contractor misconduct and dish out severe punishment, including criminal charges, for violations and offenses from worker safety issues to corruption. Manhattan even launched the Construction Fraud Task Force in August to investigate "wrongdoing and unsafe practices" in construction, including fraud, bribery, extortion, money laundering, bid rigging, larceny and safety violations. A New York Times report in November also found that construction worker deaths are on the rise in New York City, and safety measures were inadequate on many of the construction sites where deaths occurred and that immigrants represented a disproportionate percentage of those killed.

This will lead to more entry level, unseasoned construction workers not appropriately trained

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Experts predict this heightened focus on industry wrongdoing will continue into 2016, especially as OSHA will increase its fines this year for the first time since 1990.

Raymond T. Mellon, a senior partner at Zetlin & De Chiara, said he believes construction accidents will increase in New York City this year due to "a dilution of the trained and experienced work force as a result of the continuing red hot construction market." He added, "This will lead to more entry level, unseasoned construction workers not appropriately trained as to the work itself, as well as safety features, on worksites. Combine this with the entry of 'novice developers' who have a tendency to cut corners, and you have the potential for more accidents."

David Pfeffer, chair of the Construction Practice Group at Tarter Krinsky & Drogin, said he predicts there will be more criminal indictments in 2016 because officials "want to make an example." He added that although indictments this year with be the result of past practices, he believes the influx of cases will "help in the long-term future. It definitely has an effect... We have a very good construction industry here. They do listen. The bad contractors generally don't stick around."
SEE ALSO: 'No accident is acceptable': How to foster an effective construction site safety culture
7. Booming multifamily sector will slow down as single-family sector picks up steam

Industry analysts have largely agreed that the multifamily sector's hot streak will inevitably cool down, and that slowdown will likely occur in 2016. On the positive side, the single-family sector is expected to pick up steam and see a strong year. In its 2016 Construction Outlook, Dodge Data predicted single-family construction will see a 20% increase in starts this year, while multifamily is expected to post a 7% gain after several years of double-digit increases.

"I expect the homebuilding sector will continue to show improvement. If anything happens on the multifamily side, I think it will probably level off. The upward slope for multifamily won't be as strong as for single-family," Alex Carrick, CMD's chief economist, told Construction Dive.

Still, single-family housing has a long way to go to return to pre-recession, "normal" levels. During a webinar in November, NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe said single-family construction is currently 53% back to what is considered "normal" levels, and should be 91% of the way there by the end of 2017. Multifamily, on the other hand, is already significantly higher than "normal" levels, currently 32% above the mark. Crowe said the multifamily sector is expected to slowdown in the next two years, coming in 9% higher than "normal" levels at the end of 2017.

8. Laser scanning technology will gain popularity

Although BIM tends to dominate the construction technology narrative, experts pointed to another emerging technology that is having a significant impact on the industry: laser scanning. 3-D laser scanners can create a digital reproduction of the dimensions and positions of objects in a certain space, and then turn that information into a point cloud image.

"Laser scanning I think has a lot of room to run. Not as many people are using it, but it's a great tool to measure more precisely than most conventional ways," LaRosa said. "What the laser scanner allows you to do is get millions of data points and put that into a building information model and provide much more information about conditions you couldn't get previously. Look for that to continue to grow certainly next year and for another five years."
SEE ALSO: 3 concepts that will shape the future of construction
Taylor added that laser technology allows contractors to precisely "define to the client where we had issues with the existing floor," and then make the necessary changes.

9. Remodeling will have a strong year, especially in the luxury market

Along with strength in the single-family market this year, experts also predict the remodeling sector will have a banner year in 2016.

Through all of the ups and downs, this is the first time I feel very comfortable

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"We're encouraged by recent data that shows consumers have a strong desire to invest in their homes. In fact, survey respondents are indicating that growth in their home improvement spending is outpacing increases in their overall spending," Mike Horn, vice president of Lowe's ProServices, told Construction Dive. "The number of homeowners indicating that their home improvement spending increased has doubled since 2012. This trend underscores the great opportunity our professional contractors have to meet the needs of 75 million homeowners, in addition to the 5 million who relocate or move into a new home each year, across the country increasingly willing to engage in home improvement in 2016."

Bob Ernst, president of the Building & Remodeling Association of Greater Boston, said he projects significant growth in the remodeling sector this year.

"Through all of the ups and downs, this is the first time I feel very comfortable," he told Construction Dive.

Ernst emphasized the luxury market in particular as offering the most opportunity for remodelers. "At that market level, they're spending money," he said. He noted, however, that the middle and lower markets haven't reached the demand level exhibited in luxury markets, as people in those markets are still struggling to save up enough money for their homes. "People serving primarily those markets might not have as rosy of an outlook," he said.

10. Homebuyers will seek out simple, walkable communities

Last month, the American Institute of Architects released the results of its third-quarter Home Design Trends Survey and found that design elements such as access to public transportation, multi-generational housing, walkable neighborhoods and mixed-use facilities dominate homeowner preferences. "There has been a pronounced shift in driving habits over the last few years, with increasing numbers of people being far more interested walking and utilizing public transit options," AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker said in a release. "With that is a desire for proximity to employment and commercial activities."

The AIA survey coincided with a National Association of Realtors survey over the summer that found walkable communities are growing in popularity among Americans of all ages, particularly millennials. Based on the results of the survey, the NAR advised developers aiming to reach the millennial demographic to consider building attached homes within walking distance of shops and restaurants and nearby public transportation. Baby boomers have reportedly expressed similar desires for their homes, as a Washington Post report in October found retiring baby boomers are downsizing and buying smaller homes in urban areas at twice the rate of millennials.

Jerry James, president of Edward R. James Homes, said he predicts baby boomers will continue to drive the new-home construction market this year. He agreed with the NAR and AIA predictions and said he believes boomers want "simplification" driven by a desire to live in locations that allow them to walk to nearby restaurants and shops.

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10 construction industry trends to watch in 2016

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Now that 2015 has come and gone, construction professionals are focusing attention on the year ahead. Analysts predict 2016 will be a strong year for the industry, as Dodge Data & Analytics' 2016 Construction Outlook report predicted 6% growth, with the value of construction starts reaching an estimated $712 billion.

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This commercial building was changed to fit residential apartments.

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First offshore wind farm in America. this is a wonderful idea and could generate a lot of energy. people complain of it being an eyesore but the benefits definitely out way that.

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Leaning over the ferry railing, a passenger can just make out the four completed turbines in the distance, three-and-a-half miles off the coast of Block Island. The industrial grey towers are distinct from the hazy blue of the summer sky, and the grey green waters of the Atlantic, but not by much. At this distance, they are an extension of the busy seascape, populated with ferries from the mainland, fishing and pleasure boats, and the occasional adventurous parasailer.

The turbines are part of the recently constructed Block Island Wind Farm, the first offshore wind farm in the United States. The pilot project pales in comparison to the massive offshore wind farms of Europe and Asia, but it is a start.

A Department of Energy assessment of the potential for offshore wind energy found that there were over 320,000 square miles of water off our coasts that could be used to generate 4,150 gigawatts of electricity if it was completely utilized. For comparison, the capacity of all energy plants in the entire United States measured 1,100 GW in 2012.

It's a huge potential source of power, but first someone has to show that it can be done. States from around the country, but particularly nearby Massachusetts, New York and other Northeastern states are watching the Block Island project to see how the experiment turns out.

Meeting the giants

Away from the rocky jetty protecting the harbor, the shoreline softens into vegetation and hills dotted with houses and inns. Then, suddenly the island falls away into bluffs topped with a lighthouse. Beyond that, the turbines rise, gracing the horizon in a long curve like fence posts without a fence.

Closer to the bright yellow foundations, the grey spires are giants, towering over even large vessels at a height of 589 feet. At the base of the turbine, it's easy to imagine you're standing at the foot of a tripod from War of the Worlds.

The construction of the final fifth turbine was completed in mid-August, and during construction, there was another giant on the seas. The Norwegian "Brave Tern" is a massive ship that journeyed across the Atlantic to help install the five turbines. It's an installation ship that's known as a Windcarrier, and looks like a cross between a small aircraft carrier and an oil rig, hovering above the sea on four adjustable legs.

The Brave Tern has a crane onboard that helped erect the turbines, hauling the pieces of the tower into place onboard the steel platforms that were constructed last summer. It's a job that no other ship in the United States could do--because this is the first offshore wind farm in the United States, a lot of the support infrastructure (like the Brave Tern) has to be imported.

The turbines came into being as an international collaboration. Constructed in pieces in France, Spain, Denmark, and Louisiana, the GE Haliade turbines had a long, global journey from drawing board to completion (not in the least because the design was first owned by Alstom, a French company of which its power division was recently purchased by GE).

The Project

GE Project Director Eric Crucerey told Popular Science that the project involved 8,000 cases of calculations spread out over a year in which workers with GE were designing the high-tech turbines.

The turbines operate with direct drive technology, eliminating the need for a gearbox, which in older models helped connect the spinning blades of a turbine to the generator.

The hope is that with fewer moving parts, like the gears in a gearbox, there will be less opportunities for something to go wrong, reducing the amount of maintenance needed on the offshore structures.

These turbines are designed to be independent, with each one operating autonomously. The turbine can sense the wind and adjust the position of its giant nacelle and even the tilt of individual blades to most efficiently catch the wind.

"Each machine is alone on the ocean, but it is connected to many offices," Crucerey said.

Though the turbines are capable of operating autonomously, progress will be closely monitored by the local energy companies, GE, and Deepwater Wind. In addition to monitoring the progress of the energy created, the various stakeholders will also be watching to see how the turbines hold up in the harsh waters of the North Atlantic.

The turbines are built to withstand the everyday waves and winds, and are painted with coatings to weather the corrosive salt spray, and to slough off any ice that might form on the blades in the winter. The turbines are also built to withstand natural disasters expected on the East Coast, like hurricanes, and less expected disasters like earthquakes.

Because there is so much computing equipment held inside the towers, the central tower has a slightly positive air pressure compared to the outside air. That means that stray bits of salt spray (dangerous to any electrical equipment) can't enter the tower along with workers.

Workers will have to do periodic maintenance on the turbines, making the short journey out to the turbines by boat, scaling the steel base via a ladder, and then traveling through the turbine's tower by elevator. It's unlikely that a worker will be out at the turbine in a storm, but just in case, there are backup plans to evacuate the workers safely. Every worker and visitor that goes up into the turbine must go through a training course that details the way to get out in an emergency.

"There are plenty of systems to make sure that this [an evacuation] is not happening, but we have to consider everything," Crucerey says. There are two ways off; by the helipad, or with a manual rappelling system operated from the helipad.

"You go up to the helipad, you attach yourself to the system," Crucerey smiles and pauses for effect. "Then you jump."

A Leap Into the Future

In a way, this project is a leap into the unknown for the energy markets in the United States. The turbines mark a first for renewable energy advocates, but there are critics who decry the appearance of the wind farm as an eyesore and lament the high cost of the wind energy.

Deepwater Wind says that the five turbines, which will provide power to both Block Island and the mainland, will reduce the power bills paid by Block Island residents by forty percent. Block Island used to have some of the highest power rates in the country and currently gets its power from diesel generators, one of which caught fire this summer.

The state's Utilities Commission has agreed to purchase the power from the wind farm for the next 20 years, and while the estimated cost might be less than Block Islanders are used to paying, it's more than what others are used to. A lawsuit over that purchase agreement alleged that the power from the wind farm was still going to be vastly more expensive than power created by more traditional power generation methods on the mainland. That lawsuit was dismissed earlier this summer, but the relative costs of energy produced by the wind farm in the future remains to be seen.

Then there's the initial cost. Building the infrastructure, including the turbines, and connections between the turbines and the country's energy grid, is expensive. Energy company National Grid constructed a $107 million cable from Block Island to the mainland, which will transfer excess energy from the wind farm to the mainland on windy days, and energy from the mainland to the island when the weather is calm. Deepwater estimates that the cost to build five turbines was about $300 million. Future projects, with many more turbines, would likely have an even larger bill.

Still, moving forward is usually an expensive proposition, and many other states and locations are clamoring to invest in projects like the Block Island Wind Farm.

Location, Location, Location

"This a first beachhead for the offshore wind industry in the United States," Walt Musial, manager of Offshore Wind at National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) says. "I see this as the first of many projects that are coming to the United States now."

Musial, who has been leading the program in offshore wind at NREL for the past 12 years noted that there are several offshore wind projects in the works, but this is the first that managed to get to the construction phase.

The next project to enter the construction phase will be a 90-megawatt (15 turbine) installation off of Long Island, also constructed by Deepwater Wind. That farm is expected to be situated 30 miles offshore, at distance that places the turbines over the horizon, rendering them invisible from shore, and nullifying concerns over the appearance of the turbines on the seascape.

But it is expected that other offshore wind farms will be entering the fray soon too. Earlier this month Massachusetts passed a bill that directs energy companies to look towards offshore wind for power. New York recently passed a similar measure that mandates that the state will get 50 percent of its energy from renewables by 2030. The push to reduce greenhouse gases from electricity generation is a driving force that may be pushing policymakers past concerns over the initial cost and towards a greener future.

"These state driven policies are generally creating the incentive to begin those first projects and then in that development we would expect the emergence of a supply chain and the infrastructure necessary to sustain the industry," Musial says.

In terms of offshore wind, the United States is behind in some areas when compared to Europe and Asia--but it's not that far behind.

"It's never too late," Musial says. "When you look at the resource area offshore wind is adjacent to some of the largest population centers in the country, and the largest electricity loads in the country. It may be very convenient to bring that power in."

Cities like New York and Boston have limited land area, making them unsuitable for traditional land-based renewable energy options like dedicated solar or wind farms, and their demand is high. But both cities are located on the coast and are absolutely power-hungry. New York devoured a record amount of electricity on August 15, using 11,855 megawatts to power a vast number of air conditioners as the city suffered through a heat wave.

Though the Northeast is furthest along in looking at offshore wind, other regions like the Great Lakes, Pacific Northwest and Hawaii are not far behind.

Technologically, the next step might be floating offshore wind turbines, which places like the West Coast--with their deep water just off the coast and frequent earthquakes--see as an alternative to the seafloor-anchored designs that are only now gaining a footing on the coasts off the United States.

But for now, the turbines are slowly turning at the Block Island Wind Farm and the wind farm anticipates generating power for the island by November and delivering power to the mainland as early as January. We'll see then if the current continues to jolt the offshore wind industry to life.

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The Future Of Energy Is Blowing In The Wind

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Leaning over the ferry railing, a passenger can just make out the four completed turbines in the distance, three-and-a-half miles off the coast of Block Island. The industrial grey towers are distinct from the hazy blue of the summer sky, and the grey green waters of the Atlantic, but not by much.

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Technology on the jobsite. technology is always advancing and more technology on jobsite could improve efficiency.

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Marine construction dredging.

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Marine construction repairing a jetty. construction on the water is very interesting to me.

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Construction often requires the use of heavy equipment.

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Bridge trusses being transported by barge. truss systems can be very complex but are just made up of triangle.

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This is a commercial building that is very unique and shows how creative design can be.

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McCarthy construction does work in more of the western united states. they are a commercial company and they could provide me with the option to relocate.

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Houston Office | Houston Construction | McCarthy

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Our Houston construction team manages a wide range of infrastructure projects and marine work, maximizing client outcomes across the Houston area.

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BBL inc. is a commercial company that some of my classmate have worked for. they have some really cool projects going on in upstate ny.

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BBL Construction Albany NY General Contractor - Construction Management Companies

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Our national design-build process saves time and money for project owners. Over 40 years of experience and satisfied customers. 518-452-8200.

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Tritec is a commercial company that dies work in my home area. they have done some really fascinating projects

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432 Park Avenue, New York City - timelapse of construction

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Timelapse of the construction of 432 Park Avenue in New York City, USA. The building will be the world's tallest all-residential structure once complete.

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Denver International Airport is flying high after the opening of its Hotel and Transit Center, also known as the South Terminal Redevelopment Project. Witness three years of construction - including the development of a 500-room Westin hotel and creation of a public transit center - with EarthCam's construction time-lapse!

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Time Lapse Construction Net-Zero Energy Home

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Use special equipment to spread the concrete. The rebar is set and the machine that will spread the concrete deck is resting on rails. All that's needed is the concrete pump.

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World's 5 Mega Construction Projects - as part of the travel series by GeoBeats. Around the world, we keep building structures that are taller and bigger than the existing ones. Here are 5 current mega constructions projects. Number 5 is the Kingdom Tower in Saudi Arabia.

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Posillico is a civil construction company based out of long island. theyare currently doing road work right by my house so i see it almost everyday when im home

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For complex jobs, private companies and local governments turn to Posillico to provide all-in-one solutions. Posillico's vast experience and our ability to seamlessly integrate services will save you time and money.

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Kiewit does a large variety of projects including commercial industrial and heavy civil.

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What began in 1884 with two hardworking brothers has grown into a construction, mining and engineering powerhouse.

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Whiting turner does a wide variety of commercial projects that are very unique

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Since 1909, the firm has been guided by the principles of integrity, excellence and customer delight in the delivery of construction services.

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Gilbane construction works on many commercial projects and they do some very cool work.

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Gilbane Building Company | Gilbane Development Company

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Gilbane, Inc. is one of the largest privately held family-owned construction and real estate development firms in the industry. Learn more.

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Hoover Dam Megastructures Documentary National Geographic Documentary

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Construction of Hoover Dam | One of the Largest Dams of the World | Documentary Film

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►My channel: http://youtube.com/TheBestFilmArchives ►SUBSCRIBE: http://www.youtube.com/TheBestFilmArchives?sub_confirmation=1 ►Google+: http://plus.google.com/+TheBestFilmArchives ►Facebook: http://facebook.com/TheBestFilmArchives ►Twitter: http://twitter.com/BestFilmArch Documentary Film on the construction of Hoover Dam. The Hoover Dam is a concrete arch-gravity dam in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, on the border between the U.S. states of Arizona and Nevada. It was constructed between 1931 and 1936.

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animated time-lapse steel construction process. we did the presentation for a steel manufacturing company during 2010. as it was kind of new to our country, they wanted to showcase the whole process.and its just an artistic impression.except accident steel bars don't fall from sky in our country.

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New San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge East Span Opens

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University of Colorado Hospital Construction Time-Lapse

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Official San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Construction Time-Lapse

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Witness more than 42,000 hours of construction in just 4 minutes with this official time-lapse movie of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. Our live streaming video and high definition time-lapse construction cameras have been on site since 2008 to document progress, archiving nearly 2 million images for the $6.4 billion bridge.

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I want to be onsite when i go into the construction industry. I know office work is needed and i will most likely do a lot of it. to see a project go from ground to 30 plus floors would be amazing.

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Turner construction is a pretty large company. To work for a company this big would be a pretty big accomplishment for me. They do a lot of cool work and have offices all across the US and internationally.

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Turner has a culture of innovation and promotes advances in technology, sustainability, lean practices, building information modeling, safety, community involvement, learning and development, and knowledge sharing.

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This project was proposed to be built in Boston. These are the types of projects i am interested in buildings that have a unique exterior design but also are very sustainable.

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Being able to lead a project and see the building go from a pile of material to something amazing. That is what drives my interest for this field.

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"No two days are the same" ive been hearing this saying about construction for the longest time and its true. you never know what you'll face during a construction project. this video really gives you an idea of what goes on during the day as a super.

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A Day in the Life: Construction Superintendent

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This video truly shows that most projects start by nothing but a pile of material land and labor. This is a commercial high rise that is fit for residential apartments. This work is something i wouldn't mind getting into being that most units don't change by much so its estimating and building process can be a little quicker/ less tedious.

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Construction Timelapse:  Galaxie Apartments

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Timelapse Video of The Gebhardt Development Galaxie High Rise Apartments on the East Washington Avenue corridor in Madison, WI. This mixed used apartment/commercial space, which includes second- and third-floor offices as well as a 55,000-square-foot, ground-floor Festival Foods grocery store. The building will be 15 stories and be complete in 2016.

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The Tappan Zee Bridge is quite the construction project. Going on the MOLES trip there and driving over it to get to Delhi ive been able to see it from the start. This project has come a very long way and still has a long way to go. Being able to work on something that big and that known would be a wonderful experience.

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I have heard of this company from my fellow classmate. I now know 2 people who had done internships for T.G. Nickel. The projects they work on are very intriguing. Being able to start building one day on the ground and a few months down the line you could be looking over the whole city. That is truly amazing.

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T.G. Nickel & Associates is an experienced construction management and general contracting firm serving clients in the academic, corporate interiors, healthcare, landmark restoration and residential markets. For nearly two decades, our clients have depended on us to provide the honest, straightforward solutions needed to successfully guide a project from concept to completion. On every project-no matter the size-we make decisions with our clients' best interest in mind, always striving to provide the highest standards in quality, schedule and cost.

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About Nickel T.G. Nickel & Associates is an experienced construction management and general contracting firm serving clients in the academic, corporate interiors, healthcare, landmark restoration and residential markets. For nearly two decades, our clients have depended on us to provide the honest, straightforward solutions needed to

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This article really shows to me that within the next several plus years in the construction industry we are going to see some amazing things happen. Technology is always improving and so are our ways of building

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Elon Musk's company SolarCity, recently purchased by Tesla, will be developing solar 'shingles,' small solar panels that would take the place of roof tiles.

The merger between Tesla and SolarCity was finalized earlier this month, with Tesla paying about $2.6 billion for the solar company. During SolarCity's Q2 earnings call with investors, Musk discussed the merger and also introduced plans to make a "solar roof" that would be integrated with Tesla's battery technology. "It's not a thing on a roof. It is the roof," said Musk during the earnings call.

Most current solar roof setups involve panels mounted on existing roofs, but Musk says that for roofs that are nearing the end of their lifespan, installing rooftop solar panels doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

"You don't want to put solar panels on top of a roof you're going to replace," said Musk.

Instead, Musk proposes replacing old roof tiles with new ones that also generate solar power. These solar shingles will be manufactured in SolarCity's new Gigafactory in Buffalo, NY.

Musk says there is a large market for these solar shingles. "If your roof is nearing end-of-life you've got to get a new roof anyway. There are 5 million new roofs a year just in the U.S. And so, why not have a solar roof that's better in many other ways as well?"

There's no indication when these solar shingles will hit the market, and there are no specifics yet when it comes to price or other details. However, Musk says that when the solar roof does launch, "people are going to be really excited about what they see."

Source: CleanTechnica

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Elon Musk's SolarCity to Build "Solar Shingles" For Your House

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Elon Musk's company SolarCity, recently purchased by Tesla, will be developing solar 'shingles,' small solar panels that would take the place of roof tiles. The merger between Tesla and SolarCity was finalized earlier this month, with Tesla paying about $2.6 billion for the solar company.

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Weeks Marine is a company that has sparked a lot of interest for me. I really enjoy being around the water and open seas so combining that with construction would be a dream job. The company works on a lot of cool projects. One employee was on the MOLES trip and spoke about a lot of cool opportunities the company has.