Discussion Question 7

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T H

Share one personal experience (job or observation or from your readings) related to any one modern technology used to improve construction process. Is the technology widely used in the industry? If not, what do you think is the main obstacle in its wider application? 

One of the technologies that I believe improves the construction process is the use of programs/apps such as Procore. These applications provide much more functionality than just construction timelines and Gantt charts, but also provide a hub for all stakeholder communications and approvals. Procore (and similar apps) provide a one stop shop for all project related information, blueprints, specifications, submittals, approvals, etc. The larger and more complex the project, the more likely that you'll see this type of application used. One of the obstacles to seeing this more fully implemented across the industry is because "we've never done it that way before." The same reason that sustainable and green construction is slow to receive full support and implementation in the industry.

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Do you agree that green buildings can produce savings for property owners and tenants alike? Please discuss by providing at least one example.

Green buildings can definitely save both owners and tenant’s money. I work in the multifamily industry, and in most buildings there are both common areas where the owner pays the utilities and apartments where the tenant pays utilities. By going green, both owner and tenant can save money on utilities. In addition, the lower cost of utilities and additional comfort provided by a properly designed building can sometimes produce higher rents for the owner, while still providing a lower overall cost to the tenants. 

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S M

1. Share one personal experience (job or observation or from your readings) related to any one modern technology used to improve construction process. Is the technology widely used in the industry? If not, what do you think is the main obstacle in its wider application?

I would like to shear my personal thoughts for the improvement of the construction process which is the 3D Printing technology. The 3D printing is one of the most known machines in manufacturing and related industries. It is a perfect way to fabricate an idea into a product easily and flawlessly. Even construction industry has been using to fabricate miniature prototypes of buildings, house and other structures.

There are too many advantages regarding using the 3D printing in the construction which could be over traditional construction. It allows, faster and more accurate construction of complex building components or building as whole. It may also help in lowering labor costs and producing less waste. As well, the obstacles that hold back 3D printing construction is economic investment.

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2. Do you agree that green buildings can produce savings for property owners and tenants alike? Please discuss by providing at least one example.

Yes. Green buildings can produce savings for property owners and tenants alike. For owners, green buildings save money in terms of savings in construction cost and maintenance cost. For example, green buildings are designed in sync with the natural landscaping, this can save owner a lot of money which he would have spent to prepare the ground and landscaping for the building. But for tenants, the green building offers a high-quality environment for living. Optimum focus is given on indoor air quality and natural lighting. This can give them better physical and mental health.

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K L

Share one personal experience (job or observation or from your readings) related to any one modern technology used to improve construction process. Is the technology widely used in the industry? If not, what do you think is the main obstacle in its wider application?

Last summer I had the opportunity of doing an internship in an electric company where they recycled coal ash and turned it into cement. As we all may know, coal ash is the residue that is left after coal is burned to create electric energy. This coal ash serves as an additive for Portland cement and many people think this increases its strength properties. Back then, my boss explained that this was a growing technology and that was expected to grow. I did my research and I now realize that this is an amazing new technology, this is still in its early stages. Research papers on this subject start on 2016 and most of them are on 2019. Many times, when a new product comes out takes a long time for people to trust on it that is what I think would be the biggest problem. For now, I think more research needs to be performed to be sure this is the right way to go.

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Do you agree that green buildings can produce savings for property owners and tenants alike? Please discuss by providing at least one example.

Yes, but sometimes this happens in the long run. By making a building more sustainable or “greener”, it increases its value (according to USGBC by a 10% or greater). If sometime in the future the owner would want to sell this property, he could do it for more money than the one he invested in the first place. Also, green buildings reduce day-to-day costs year-over-year. LEED buildings have reported almost 20 percent lower maintenance costs than typical commercial buildings, and green building retrofits typically decrease operation costs by almost 10 percent in just one year (USGBC, n.d). A solid example of this is the General Motor’s Flint Assembly Plant. The plant has invested in new technologies that have allowed them to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 36,000 tons. They replaced low-efficiency lighting with high-efficiency and steam water heaters exchanged for electric ones, allowing the boilers to be turned off when not needed. The Flint upgrades alone will save enough electricity to power about 1,600 houses and natural gas to heat about 550 homes, not to mention the economical savings. The plant not only has had financial savings but also, they have been granted with more money incentives to continue their work.

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References

Wilson, Mark. 2019. “Recycled coal ash makes better concrete” Retrieved from https://physicstoday.scitation.org/do/10.1063/PT.6.1.20191101a/full/

USGBC. N.d. “Benefits of green building”. Retrieved from https://www.usgbc.org/press/benefits-of-green-building

Consumer Energy. 2019. “Consumers Energy Delivers $2.8 Million Incentive to General Motors for Energy Efficiency Upgrades in Flint”

Allen, Jeremy. 2019. “General Motors Flint Assembly, Flint Engine honored by EPA for energy savings at plants”

M M

Share one personal experience (job or observation or from your readings) related to any one modern technology used to improve the construction process. Is the technology widely used in the industry? If not, what do you think is the main obstacle in its wider application.

Working in an architectural firm a modern technology that had an uphill trend in its use was BIM and 3d printers. These printers have aided in the visualization of functional, aesthetic and constructive detail. For instance, the firm used this tool to solve and visualize the process of construction of a commercial local business’ glass facade. By creating the facade’s cross-section the union between the concrete wall, the embedded of the glass and bottom rail were solved. BIM on another instance, aided in visualizing the inclination of water drainage of a 5 story building and if it did not exceed the expected height. These two instruments have become known in the construction industry and among international borders. BIM I consider is a tool that almost every construction company utilizes to solve construction processes. 

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Do you agree that green buildings can produce savings for property owners and tenants alike? Please discuss by providing at least one example

As we have seen throughout the semester green buildings have proven and defied the stigma that having sustainable and advanced green technologies and ideas implemented can save hundreds and even thousands of dollars. Simple concepts such as applying more windows and openings for natural ventilation can provide benefits such as natural lighting, and heat/warm the area during cool seasons, factors can save the owners in energy expenses. Other simple concepts such as using the adequate orientation according to the orientation of the winds, and sun orientation can also help warm and cool spaces accordingly. For instance, in cold areas such as El Paso it is recommended to avoid having bedroom openings to the north because during winter one will spend hundreds in energy warming the room. By considering and implementing rainwater harvesting in rainy areas such as Mexico City, one has saved a vast amount of money in watering landfills and gardens. Nature provides us the tools we just need to figure out the best and non-damaging way to do it. Properties that have LEED Certifications have been known to have an increase in value in about 8% during the years 2008-20016, something owners are always aiming to have. 

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