Builders could better handle construction and demolition waste by using building information modeling, according to a study published in Sustainability. BIM would be key to quantifying CDW with the technology's timely, accurate and systematic data collection, improving on lengthy and labor-intensive methods such as on-site direct measurement surveys.

BIM isn't a trend but rather a transformation of the construction industry, bringing accuracy and efficiency to projects, writes Sneha Gujar of CEM Engineers. "The impact of BIM extends beyond mere technological evolution; it heralds a reimagining of how construction projects are conceived, executed, and sustained throughout their entire lifecycle," Gujar writes.

BIM can bolster building security by integrating it into the structure's design. Security professionals can determine where to place cameras or other safety features as a building is designed and can use a digital twin to gauge the system's effectiveness.

The rise of prefabricated 3D-printed modular homes can be attributed to a growing demand for affordable housing that is built sustainably. One key player in this space is Mighty Buildings, which uses a proprietary material composed of 60% recycled glass.

Creation of a digital twin for a building at the UK's University of Liverpool enabled a 23% reduction in energy use. Facilities managers were able to evaluate and adjust building performance in real-time using operational data linked to the twin.

To support biodiversity, a new geospatial platform developed by London Gatwick Airport gathers all spatial data into one view to be analyzed by tools for that purpose. The platform leverages Esri UK's geographic information system and is designed to facilitate collaboration and decision-making across multiple operational areas with its mobile apps and dashboards.

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power plans to use a digital twin at a research and development center to remotely supervise five nuclear power plants. "The digital twin will allow us to simultaneously check reactor cores, turbines and generators in different power plants in a three-dimensional virtual world," a KHNP official says.

The very open nature of the internet makes it inherently insecure, something that contractors need to take seriously to achieve cybersecurity, according to Karen Higgins-Carter, chief information and digital officer for Gilbane Building. "[W]e can have a collective voice as an industry and help those software vendors reach a higher level of capability," says Higgins-Carter.