| November 11, 2009 | News for commercial building design and construction professionals |
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- Details boost benefits of BIM, experts say
Entering details about a construction project allows building information modeling technology to live up to its full potential, experts say. Paul Loreto, chairman of the Canada BIM Council, noted that a high level of detail creates cost and quantity surveying advantages. Loreto's company is at work on a new hospital, and he said BIM has helped resolve problems before they reached the construction site. Daily Commercial News
(11/5)
    
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| You & Your Job |  | |
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- It's no joke: Comedy skills can help career
Professionals who want to improve their communication skills are turning to improvisational comedy, Michelle Goodman writes. Skills learned include building on the ideas of others; being a more "active listener"; becoming a more effective storyteller; and building confidence, she writes. ABC News
(11/5)
- 5 ways to know you need to make a change
It might be time to make a change if people you strongly trust urge you to do so, Steve Roesler writes. Other signs include feeling envious of others' achievements; a "nagging" situation or incident you can't forget; and feeling angry while denying there are problems. Taking action to resolve issues gives you "an internal sense of honesty and integrity," he writes. AllThingsWorkplace.com
(11/9)
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Hot jobs! Visit CSI's Career Center to see new openings for architects, specifiers, engineers, product representatives and other construction professionals every week!
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- China approves Disney's plan for Shanghai theme park
The Chinese government has approved Walt Disney Co.'s plan to build a $3.6 billion theme park in Shanghai. The Chinese park will be the company's fourth outside the U.S. Disney is now working with its partners in China to form an operation and construction agreement. Bloomberg
(11/4)
- L.A. highway interchange regarded as work of art
A highway interchange in Los Angeles called the Stack serves as a visual symbol of the automobile-centric city. The Stack is the first four-level connector interchange in the country and marks the intersection of the Pasadena, Harbor, Hollywood and Santa Ana freeways.
The interchange has commanded new respect as a work of art, and artist Yutaka Sone even carves replicas of intersections such as the Stack in white marble. The New York Times (free registration)
(11/5)
- Developer to build $57M complex with inflatable domes
Developer Anthony Czapla has partnered with Schulte Hospitality Group to build a $59 million hotel, conference center and sports complex in Hobart, Ind. The complex will feature a 120,000-square-foot inflatable dome, as well as two 12,000-square-foot domes. "The air-supported domes will give us [a] venue to attract large regional and national tournaments," said Czapla, owner of Catalyst Sports Performance. Post-Tribune (Merrillville, Ind.)
(11/8)
| Market Trends | | |
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- Infrastructure needs "programmatic" P3 approach
Market players say public-private infrastructure partnerships need to be administered through a "programmatic" approach at the state or federal level, not on a case-by-case basis. The current system of project-based partnerships involves too much preparatory work each time. Chee Mee Hu, managing director for Moody's Investors Service, suggests the multi-project P3 initiative launched by the Georgia Department of Transportation last week that involves passenger, intercity and high-speed rail along with managed lanes might serve as a test case for the programmatic management of infrastructure. The Bond Buyer (free content)
(11/10)
- Study highlights hazards faced by pedestrians
A study released Monday found that more than 76,000 Americans have been killed when crossing or walking along a street in the past 15 years. The Transportation for America study also found that southern cities are particularly hazardous for pedestrians. Meanwhile, surface transportation legislation could eventually sponsor foot and bike paths that could lead to improved safety, observers said. Reuters
(11/9)
, USA TODAY
(11/9)
, The Sun (Baltimore)
(11/9)
| Best Practices | | |
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- Online marketing helps businesses grow faster
A recent survey indicates that high-growth small businesses invest more in marketing and are making a bigger effort to market online. "E-mail marketing is one of the best ways for small businesses to attract and retain customers while also growing revenue, which were two of the top business challenges identified by small businesses in the survey," said Steve Adams, vice president of marketing for Protus. Small Business Trends
(11/3)
- The 7 rules of success for new leaders
The early months of a new leadership position are when you're the most vulnerable, so it's key to develop a strategy on how you're going to learn your new role, Michael D. Watkins writes. You can be more successful by identifying problems that can be tackled early on without risk of failure, building alliances as soon as possible and developing networks to provide emotional support. Forbes
(11/4)
| Products, Innovation and Technology | | |
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- Modeling software helps solve water crisis in India
Modeling software designed by Bentley Systems allowed the Water Supply and Sanitation Department of Maharashtra, India, to solve a severe water supply problem this year. A simulation model allowed engineers to pinpoint negative pressure at some points of the water system and determine which locations were not getting enough water. As a result, the system was re-engineered to decrease the amount of time needed to refill the water network each week. Cadalyst
(11/2009)
- BIM can improve work productivity, collaboration
Integrated project delivery in the construction industry relies on technology such as building information modeling. IPD allows construction data on projects to become available to all partners in the process. According to The Center for Integrated Facility Engineering at Stanford University, BIM improved work productivity by 20% in a recent project conducted by DPR Construction. ConstrucTech (free registration)
(11/6)
- Airport installs crushable concrete safety system
The Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport in Kansas City is installing a $17 million safety feature for airplanes that overshoot the runway. The EMAS -- or engineered materials arresting system -- is composed of crushable concrete blocks that will sink into the ground from the weight of an airplane. "It actually acts like quicksand," said Mike Barnes, a construction site supervisor with Esco-Za, a Zodiac Aerospace company. The Kansas City Star (Mo.)
(11/6)
- Partnerships allow companies to meet digital demand
Construction technology companies are continuing to develop new tools and form partnerships to meet growing demand for digital content. Center Software, for example, recently formed a partnership with Hard Dollar, which specializes in project cost management systems for heavy/highway contractors. The agreement will increase integration between the companies as part of an effort to improve cost management and productivity, the companies said. ConstrucTech (free registration)
(11/9)
| News from CSI | | |
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First meeting of CSI's Contract Administration Practice Group Nov. 18
CSI's Contract Administration Practice Group focuses on issues facing anyone affected by contract administration. The first meeting will be held Nov. 18, 3-4 p.m. ET. Join the group.
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Free GreenFormat webinars
CSI will show you how to use GreenFormat in a free webinar! Designers will learn how GreenFormat makes searches quick and easy, while manufacturers learn how to list a product. A design team webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 18, 1-2 p.m. ET (register). A manufacturers team webinar is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 19, 1 to 2 p.m. ET (register).
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White paper -- CSI's GreenFormat: Structure for environmental product evaluation
Green/sustainable rating systems, emerging standards and building codes that incorporate environmental consideration in product evaluation are driving the green building movement. CSI's GreenFormat allows manufacturers to report the sustainability-measuring properties of products, and provides designers with information to meet green requirements. Read this white paper (PDF).
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The Construction Specifier: November digital edition now available
The latest DIGITAL EDITION of The Construction Specifier, the Official Magazine of the Construction Specifications Institute, is now available. This interactive digital edition allows you to keyword search for specific topics, e-mail articles to colleagues, print pages and click on Web links to access detailed information about products and services. Read the November 2009 issue.
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Are you prepared to manage the complexities of a LEED project?
Site development, water efficiency, energy use, building materials, interior building systems, construction wastes and increased recycling -- you have to manage it all when you are building to achieve LEED certification. How can earning a CSI CDT certificate or advanced certification help you build LEED certified? Download this brochure (PDF) and find out!
| Editor's Note | | |
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