Your devices, your social media profiles and the way you search for business and services is becoming digital. However, in this digital age, we are leaving our buildings behind. Can you imagine a digital living environment?
When we really stop to look at it, we are faced with the question: what is civil engineering today? In an increasingly digital world, the world of civil engineering also has the potential to benefit from digital design.
BIM specialist John Eynon thinks that we need a digital built environment and that the construction industry needs to revamp itself to include digital features. We need to start creating a more digitalized construction process, starting right with architects who use more advanced technologies to create the buildings of the future.
Today, we talk to NiftyLift, global access platforms suppliers who help us navigate the traditional roads of the construction industry and help build for the future.
Designing better
The task of creating exceptional building designs that adhere to civic and urban construction norms can be quite challenging for architects. However, they are fortunate to have the support of detailed land surveys conducted by specialists from reputable companies like Cadmap, as well as the expertise of structural engineers who can assist in crafting complex and reliable designs. These valuable resources often empower architects to unleash their creativity and imagination, allowing them to conceptualize architectural marvels that not only meet safety standards but also exude brilliance in their aesthetics.
Beyond the design concept, architects also play a major role in advising on the choice of building materials. Suppose they are designing structures with expansive spans where traditional support placement isn’t feasible, they may recommend the builder to use separate steel frameworks, similar to these Sunward Steel building kits, for construction. These steel structures can bear heavy loads while meeting the requirement for minimal support placement. In another scenario, when designing multi-story buildings with extensive atrium spaces, architects might suggest the use of materials like glass and steel. These materials are lightweight yet provide the necessary structural integrity to fulfill the design vision.
Building digital
As every detail of the project comes around perfectly with 3D designs, building structures has become easier. Whether you are building a duplex or working on a large condominium, it is easier to check the infrastructure of the building and ensure better efficiency as well. Technology has made buildings safer, more resource efficient and amazingly accurate at following the original designs.
The construction industry is depending on Building Information Modeling or BIM to replace the traditional blueprint with digital designs. These 3D interactive models are much easier to build and present more accurate readings than ever. There is little scope for mistake when you are depending on a digital software for creating designs. You can even create a virtual walkthrough of the project, making the project easier to visualize before building. This is making virtual reality a part of the construction industry.
Innovative UK is funding an Augmented Worker System, a wearable equipment enabled with virtual reality technology that could reduce costs in the industry by a staggering 25%. Not only this, you could get all the equipment you need for manufacturing on time through Design for Manufacturing and Assembly Techniques (DFMA). This helps in reducing project budget and shortens the timeline for completion as well.
You can use both DFMA and BIM together to create the most accurate designs ever and work at a fast pace. From designing a project to actually building it with the right material supplied at the right time, digitalization of your conscription business could be useful in reducing costs and enhancing profits.
Future of digital building
As more construction businesses across UK start going digital, human errors in buildings will be reduced manifold. Our future buildings will be strong in the terms of designs and very resource efficient as well. It is highly likely that these buildings themselves incorporate some digital features of their own, which could be upgraded with time, as new technology develops.
David Fisher, an Israeli-Italian architect, has designed the first rotating skyscraper in the world, which will most likely be built in Dubai. When the structure is completed in 2020, it will be called Dynamic Tower Hotel where each of the apartments is capable of rotating 360 degrees with speeds adjusted through a wind turbine. Such marvelous creations are possible only though great imagination and exceptional digital capabilities.
The future could hold many such buildings for us to live, work in and marvel at. The question is, how are you, as a construction business owner, incorporating technology and move with the trends? This is the future of buildings in the UK.
