What are the most effective ways to keep up with new construction materials and techniques?

I believe that one of the best ways to keep updated on innovative construction materials or techniques is to familiarise yourself with what is happening on a global scale and see its relevance to a local scale. For example, CLT/Mass timber has been spoken about widely on a global level, mainly in the application of large scale housing and commercial developments. It's application in the South African context wasn't very apparent +/-10 years ago, but it is now more relevant than ever, especially when engaging in the "sustainability" conversation. Academic journals are a great source for analysing and predicting innovative trends and if one is able to, it is important to see what comes out of the academic realm to compare it to practice.

As a BIM professional subscribed to CIAT, I advocate for the practical application of knowledge from industry publications. These resources, while informative, become truly valuable when their insights lead to tangible improvements in construction projects. Working towards CIAT chartership, I am committed to not just staying abreast of new materials and techniques, but also to applying them in ways that enhance efficiency and sustainability in the built environment.

Keep in touch with your local vendors, make a habit of visiting stores once a month, visit exhibitions drop your card so that you will be kept updated about every new launch. Keep experimenting with old and new material together.

Building materials expositions are very useful to keep us updated. Building materials firms are another tool especially ehen their sales staff explain the best uses of the new methods and materials.

Consultar periódicamente artículos de páginas especializadas y revistas periódicas sobre el tema. Sin olvidar las publicaciones de instituciones de investigación y Universidades. Por lo general encontraremos en ellas las tendencias y sugerencias globales. Importante en todos los casos mantener un criterio propio de selección en dependencia del fin que se desee lograr.

Attending industry events like the BIM Coordinator Summit, London Build Expo, and Autodesk University Conference is invaluable for a professional like me. These gatherings are hubs for innovation, offering live demonstrations and workshops that are particularly relevant for my role. They provide a platform to not only learn about new BIM-related technologies and methodologies but also to exchange ideas with peers. Such interactions often lead to collaborations that transcend the events themselves, fostering a network that supports my professional growth and the advancement of BIM within the industry.

Conferences, subcontractors and vendors, lunch and learns, industry publications and asking the question. Lunch and learns are a great way to bond with team members, create a learning culture and stay up to date.

1 - Continuous Learning: Attend workshops, seminars, and conferences. 2 - Industry Publications: Regularly read construction-related journals and magazines. 3 - Online Resources: Utilize websites, forums, and webinars for updates. 4 - Networking: Engage with industry professionals for insights and trends. 5 - Manufacturer Updates: Stay informed on new products from manufacturers. 6 - Training Programs: Enroll in courses to learn about emerging techniques. 7 - Professional Memberships: Join industry associations for access to resources. 8 - Site Visits: Observe ongoing projects to see new materials in action. 9 - Collaboration: Work with colleagues to share knowledge and experiences. 10 - Certifications: for specialized knowledge.

Attending trade shows and events can be a valuable strategy for networking, showcasing your products or services, and staying updated on industry trends. Remember, successful participation in trade shows and events requires careful planning, effective execution, and ongoing evaluation. Adjust your strategy based on the unique dynamics of each event and the feedback you receive.

Conferences, MEAL and sometime making of Group working. Perper of workshop, attend trade shows, seminars. Work with colleagues to share knowledge and experiences, observe ongoing projects to see new materials, Enroll in courses!

Joining professional associations can help a lot. We can have open discussions on the material and their usabilities. Also, we get this advantage of site visit when we discuss personally.

In today's world, you can get all the latest news on your phone, thanks to social media. To find out about new construction materials Here's the pro trick: use hashtag searches and follow them on all platforms. It really works and makes keeping up with construction materials a lot easier .

En efecto, desde hace algunos a?os la colaboración a través de las redes se ha vuelto más común. Es recurrente encontrar espacios virtuales para el intercambio de conocimiento y ayuda especializada. Este recurso muchas veces acorta el tiempo entre lo que se desea conocer y la respuesta, por lo cual agiliza el proceso. Sin embargo la búsqueda variada de opiniones y bibliografías permite ampliar el campo del conocimiento y práctica.

An example I've seen is our Annual Congress where heads of Government Agencies that deal directly with the build environment are invited to also update us on the government's adoption of trends, policies and other valuable information regarding the introduction and application of certain materials, systems and certain codes. Such information are made available when we are part of such associations

As a BIM specialist, my toolkit is divided between essential software like Revit for detailed modeling, Navisworks for coordination, Dynamo for automation, and industry staples like Excel for data management. These are complemented by Enscape for immersive real-time visualization, allowing clients and team members to virtually walk through the model. Less common but equally vital tools in my repertoire include ReCap for reality capture, BIMDeX for interoperability, and Visual Studio Pro for customized plugin development. Power BI rounds off my suite, turning data into actionable insights. Together, these tools enable me to deliver a well-rounded, innovative approach to BIM.

Estos últimos tiempos con la aparición de las inteligencias artificiales, he estado investigando cómo se las puede aplicar para facilitar el trabajo. Si bien estoy en una etapa inicial, me he sorprendido mucho con los resultados

It's hands on with this industry. Be able and want to learn. If your not intrested then you won't be. Always keep an open mind on the next task at hand

Experimenting with digital tools and software can enhance productivity, efficiency, and innovation within your company. success of implementing digital tools and software often depends on a combination of technology, people, and processes. Be open to refining your approach based on the feedback and experiences of your team.

It’s always good to experiment with new software and technique that could be integrated within your day to day workflow. This will not only increase your skill set but will offer your client a variety of options during each design stage.

Keep up with current industry progress and create innovation, growth, and functionality through cross-pollinating practices gaining more shared knowledge and experiences. An example of this is in nature one flower comes into contact with another flower's pollen through insects and is key to their survival. Similarly, using this practice in an industrywide with cross-pollinating concept increases exposure to different uses of material, design, and production procedures. There are many examples of this in the past, however we have become a bit more job and industry specific and compartmentalized. I would also suggest using this same practice within your own company for better use of the data you collect and increase employee moral.

This will sound incredibly cliche, but constantly talk with contractors. Whether it's talking informally or formally on job sites, or even compensating them for some of their time, nobody will keep you better informed about volatile prices like the people who build stuff. I always try to involve contractors early on projects for cost estimating, it helps build rapport and helps you learn about cost estimating.

Este es un punto escencial pues debemos ver la obra final como un todo. El conocimiento global del resto de las disciplinas contribuye de manera fundamental al dise?o mismo. En muchas ocasiones la solución a un problema nuestro está en la mano de otro especialista y viceversa. La interacción desde la creación posibilita explotar al máximo el dise?o, buscando entre todos las soluciones más viables para cada caso.

Collaborate with other disciplines and search for new technologies which can help to speed up construction timeline and with better results

1. Stay informed by reading industry publications, attending conferences, and engaging with industry experts. 2. Build a network of professionals 3. Collaborate with suppliers and manufacturers to leverage their expertise in identifying and incorporating relevant technologies and materials. 4. Implement a BIM-centric approach to visualize and simulate the impact of different technologies and materials. 5. Invest in training and education 6. Collaborate with research institutions to gain insights into the latest advancements. 7. Monitor industry case studies and projects to learn from successful implementations. 8. Evaluate the potential benefits and drawbacks of new technologies and materials before implementing them in your projects.

Learn one, do one, teach one.” It seems that gaining knowledge through various means like media streams and research, implementing it in one’s practice to identify potential changes at the design, experiment, or project level, and then collaborating with others by sharing insights and learning from their experiences through teaching helps stay up-to-date with advancements in the field.