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Groundbreaking innovations in materials and technologies are reshaping the construction landscape. Industry experts shed light on the latest advancements during a 91视频 Builder Breakfast event on Thursday.

Panelists included William Silva, regional director of preconstruction at Swinerton; Mike Clifford, vice president and general manager of Mortenson鈥檚 Portland office; John Shorb, principal at Opsis Architecture; and Christian Schoewe, architect at ZGF.

Impactful materials and technologies

One of the most significant trends highlighted during the discussion was the rise of prefabrication and the use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) and other mass-timber products. The shift toward prefabrication has been driven by advancements in technology, particularly in 3D modeling, allowing for more efficient and cost-effective construction. It has also allowed for projects to be delivered safer and faster than traditional on-site construction, Silva said.

For the main terminal redevelopment project at Portland International Airport, prefabrication of the nine-acre roof reduced the construction schedule by several months, translating into substantial cost savings, Schoewe said. The project team opted for prefabrication not only because of greater safety and because parts could be built off-site and brought onto the site without disrupting airport operations, but also because it allowed for a high level of craftsmanship, he added.

Around 36,000 three-by-six planks are incorporated into the airport鈥檚 new main terminal roof. In total, they would cover the approximate distance from the top of Mount Hood to downtown Portland if laid end to end, Silva said. Each plank needed to be detailed, and this was done through Swinerton鈥檚 Timberlab; 3D modeling was used so that all pieces fit perfectly.

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 been exciting to see some of this transformation that I feel our industry has hungered for over time,鈥� Silva said, 鈥渁nd we鈥檙e seeing a blurring of lines between design phase and construction phase.鈥�

Redefining construction and aesthetics

Panelists unanimously agreed on the significant role of virtual design and construction methods in revolutionizing the industry. The trend over the past year has been to design for manufacturing and assembly, leading to a higher level of integration among the project team during preconstruction and throughout the project, Schoewe said. Tools like Revit, a 4D building modeling application, allow for more efficient virtual design and construction.

For a recent Mortenson hotel project using modular construction, Clifford said, the structure was basically shipped out in containers with fully furnished rooms that had all lighting fixtures up and mattresses on beds. This approach significantly influenced the building鈥檚 layout because the rooms鈥� sizes were determined by what could be shipped and transported on roads.

The rise in prefabrication could benefit the industry鈥檚 workforce by bringing more construction indoors. Instead of being on ladders exposed to rain and possibly mud, workers would have opportunities to be in an air-controlled factory. Prefabrication can increase productivity, Clifford said, but also create a better environment for workers on most days.

Implementation challenges

Despite the numerous benefits of these innovations, challenges remain. Jurisdictional issues are a significant obstacle, especially in the case of modular construction that crosses state lines, Clifford said. Such a situation often requires additional inspections and complicates the implementation process. The involvement of various agencies from different municipalities can introduce complexities that need to be managed.

Some clients, by choice or because of legal requirements, go with traditional delivery methods such as design, bid, build or construction manager/general contractor (CM/GC), Shorb said. In those cases, most of the opportunities to create efficiencies from early collaboration are off the table.

Additionally, while the demand for mass timber is growing, there is still limited supply in the United States, Schoewe said. As a result, a substantial portion of the product is imported from Canada, potentially at higher prices.

What鈥檚 in store for 2024

The next 91视频 Builder Breakfast event will be a deep dive into the opportunities and obstacles facing Pacific Northwest building industry leaders in 2024. The in-person event will take place in January, with the exact date, time, and place still to be determined. Check for updates at djcOregon.com/events.