Displaying items by tag: construction

US: Icon Build has nearly completed the construction of the upcoming Wolf Ranch new neighbourhood in Georgetown, Texas, using its 14m-wide 5t Vulcan 3D printer. Denmark-based architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group designed the award-winning development, which will be entirely 3D printed using Icon Build’s high-printability Lavacrete concrete. CNN has reported that that the method of construction addresses on-going local labour and materials shortages.

Icon Build CEO Jason Ballard said "The US faces a shortfall of approximately 5m new homes, so there is a profound need to rapidly increase supply without compromising quality, beauty or sustainability, and that is exactly the strength of our technology.”

Australia: The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government has pledged to use low carbon concrete in all future government construction projects, where appropriate, reports Mirage News. This commitment is part of the 'Low carbon concrete policy', designed to cut emissions without significantly raising project costs. The implementation of this policy will begin on 1 January 2025 and will require that designers, engineers and builders provide options for using low carbon concrete options in government projects. This initiative is part of the broader 10-year ACT Sustainable Building Pathway, which aims to embed sustainable practices throughout the building lifecycle.

Minister for Water, Energy and Emissions Reduction, Shane Rattenbury said "Using low carbon concrete is a simple and effective way we can reduce these emissions while supporting local industry. Already in Canberra, we have started using low carbon concrete in significant projects like the new Canberra Hospital expansion and in preparation for Light Rail Stage 2A. This is a fantastic example of how seamlessly low carbon concrete can be integrated into our everyday building projects.”

Saudi Arabia: SCG International's subsidiary CPAC has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Samsung E&A to develop and commercialise 3D printing and special cementitious materials for the construction industry.

The partnership aims to improve construction efficiency, accuracy and sustainability through 3D printing technologies, utilising Samsung E&A’s expertise in construction solutions and CPAC’s cement and concrete technology. It will also focus on research and development for material science and machinery and will include knowledge exchange initiatives to advance the application of 3D printing in construction.

Samsung E&A will provide its 3D printing mortar, while CPAC will contribute engineering support and architectural services for projects in Saudi Arabia. SCG International will oversee the supply chain, ensuring the delivery of 350t of cement.

Bahamas: Cementos Argos has supplied nearly 10,000t of cement for the concrete used for Disney Cruise Line's new 700m-long pier at Lighthouse Point on Eleuthera Island, accounting for 85% of the total required. The project cost US$250m and is part of expansion plans to accommodate over one million visitors annually. Cement was sourced through the company’s exports from Puerto Rico between 2022 and 2024.

US: ICON says that it has nearly completed the construction of its 100-unit Wolf Ranch housing development in Georgetown, Texas. The company is 3D printing the development using its Vulcan printer. Reuters has reported that the company designed the buildings to be resistant to water, mould, termites and extreme weather.

Senior project manager Conner Jenkins said "3D printing brings a lot of efficiency to the trade market. So, where there were maybe five different crews coming in to build a wall system, we now have one crew and one robot.”

UAE: Azizi Developments has poured 22,000m³ of concrete over 56 consecutive hours at the site of its upcoming Azizi Venice housing development in Dubai. TradeArabia News has reported that Azizi Venice will comprise 36,000 residential units, spread over 100 tower blocks and 109 houses.

Chair Mirwais Azizi said "The quality and speed at which our developments manifest from vision into reality fills us with immense pride. This extensive, record-breaking two-day concrete pour, which is the largest of its kind in the UAE, exemplifies – and serves as a testament to – the fast pace of our latest community project."

Sweden: Peab has won a contract to build the new Gothenburg Grand Central station for US$870m. The construction firm will integrate its Eco-Betong reduced-CO₂ concrete in the building. MarketLine News has reported that the project is set to begin immediately, with the station opening progressively up to early-mid 2027.

Peab’s West regional head Stellan Haraldsson said "The new station building will serve passengers from all of western Sweden and is a testament to our commitment to sustainable community building.”

Ireland: Construction company Harcourt Technologies used COBOD's gantry-mounted 3D for a three-unit social housing development in Dundalk, County Louth. Voxel Matters News has reported that the equipment reduces construction times by 67% and labour requirements by 33% for projects of this kind. Delivery of the homes is scheduled for October 2024.

Harcourt Technologies’ managing director Justin Kinsella said "It’s like building a concrete block wall, but the machine lays 50mm layers instead of manual placement. As architects and engineers, we design the building digitally, and the model guides the printer to extrude the material layer by layer."

Saudi Arabia: Al-Kifah Precast says that it is preparing to expand into other Middle Eastern countries, having more than tripled its sales since 2020. CEO Ehab Abu Salim says that the producer was a strategic supplier of precast concrete for Red Sea Global’s Red Sea Project in Tabuk Province, and now aims to support other major projects like the Neom new city and Amaala resort, also in Tabuk Province. Gulf Construction News has reported that the company has invested in research and development to establish best practices, as in its partnership with a UK-based company to produce marine concrete elements. It has reduced its CO₂ emissions through the use of alternative materials such as fibreglass, steel rebar and pozzolans.

Abu Salim said “Having a facility in the Red Sea Project was a strategic move. The plant produces all types of precast elements and we are also looking to improve the facility. We have an expansion planned; very soon it will be serving the entire region." He added “Precast technology helps to speed up projects, is more sustainable, offers higher quality, and the price is on par and sometimes even lower than using traditional construction solutions.”

US: Cemex USA has launched its Vertua® range of reduced-CO₂ concrete in Florida. The producer marked the launch with the announcement of a major residential construction supply contract with Rockwell Construction in Sarasota County. The project, for developer Mattamy Homes, is called Brightmore.

Cemex’s US regional president said "We are thrilled to bring Vertua® to Florida and collaborate on Mattamy Homes' new residential endeavour in Sarasota County. This product represents a significant leap forward in sustainable construction, helping set a higher standard for environmentally responsible building practices not only in the region, but throughout the country."