The world of commercial construction is dynamic and ever-changing, with new innovative methods and technology being developed almost on a daily basis, it’s important to remain up-to-date on the latest construction trends. Clients want to see that the construction company they work with is on the same page as industry trends. Efficiency, cost effectiveness, and quality will always be critically important when looking at developing a new project. New construction trends seek to optimize these factors by integrating technology, sustainability, modular and prefabrication methods, and promoting worker safety and wellness.
Gidel & Kocal Construction has already been implementing many of these trends into our regular business practices. For us, we see them as the start of a new set of standards, designed to elevate the integrity of our projects for the foreseeable future.
Technology Integration in Construction
Whether you’re turning an office building into a commercial high rise or working on a life science conversion, technology will continue to play a major role in construction in 2024. Integrating technology into construction is now a mainstay for general contractors, but how it gets used to improve efficiency and accuracy is still being worked out. There are so many avenues construction companies can go down with technology, including:
- Construction drones to help with site analysis and monitoring
- 3D printing in the design stages
- Augmented reality during pre-construction
- Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, and Building Information Modeling (BIM) to scale growth
- Internet of Things (IoT) to gather data across sensors, algorithms, and linked devices
- Construction management software to track projects and manage cost control
- Blockchain Technology for cost management throughout the AEC industry
Digital tools like these have the potential to improve accuracy, expedite timelines, and lead to major cost savings for both clients and contractors.
Sustainability and Green Practices
Bringing sustainable construction into buildings is no longer a new trend, but the ways companies are doing it these days are more innovative than ever. Sustainable construction trends follow the direction of general society in its effort to go green and preserve our environment. The construction industry plays a major role in energy consumption; as professionals in this field, it’s on us to support initiatives that reduce our carbon footprint and make the world a safer, cleaner place. With fuel becoming increasingly expensive in recent years, not only are alternative sources of energy like solar panels and electricity more eco-friendly, but they’re also healthier and tend to be more reliable.
Some of the highlights we expect to continue seeing as far as sustainable construction trends include:
- Green building materials (insulated concrete framing, eco-friendly insulation, smart glass windows, etc.)
- Solar panels
- Adaptive reuse in renovation
- Green roofs
- Wind turbines
- …and more!
Modular and Prefabrication
A major construction trend that has overtaken the commercial construction industry is building offsite. Modular and prefab construction deals with parts of or entire buildings constructed outside a jobsite and later transported to the property. Modular construction first became popular in the 1980s as a method for improving urban residential areas. Since then, modular construction has been used for both residential and commercial purposes to expedite processes and save on cost. The style, building codes, and sections of modular buildings vary from those of prefabricated structures, which is primarily what differentiates one from the other.
The main thing to note about both is that they simplify the construction process by mass producing components that can be replicated for a faster build. This all occurs without sacrificing the quality or structural integrity of the building. Modular construction is especially beneficial for preventing delays due to inclement weather and other external factors that could impact the construction schedule.
Prioritizing Worker Safety and Wellness
The wellbeing of construction workers is integral to the success of any project. Reasonable hours, safe working conditions, and a collaborative environment help promote productivity in and outside of the workplace. Attracting top talent is a major hurdle general contractors in the San Francisco Bay Area face; another is keeping them. The trend towards preserving strong, qualified individuals in construction has been growing for quite some time. One of the ways to further this is by maintaining a clean construction site that is inspection-ready at all times. Worker well-being matters, and Gidel & Kocal Construction is committed to preserving it.
More Women in Construction
Part of attracting the best talent is understanding populations that may be underrepresented in our field. Women in construction is a trend that has been tracking upwards and Gidel & Kocal Construction is here to ensure that it stays that way. Our company is proud to be a certified women-owned construction company, run by President Ashley Gidel and CFO Alyssa Pedersen. We are proud members of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), furthering our commitment to advancing the trend towards diversity and inclusion in construction.
Trends come and go, but quality and integrity remain consistent when you work with a reputable general contractor like Gidel & Kocal Construction . Learn more about our offerings and how we can bring your company into the next generation of construction when you contact us today.