A smart bridge that designs and builds itself using 3D printing, artificial intelligence, and robotics - & more

1) UAE sees first prototype of self-building bridge

Lebanese engineering company Dar Al-Handasah in collaboration with 欧特克 has designed a smart bridge that designs and builds itself using 3D printing, artificial intelligence, and robotics. The first prototype is a Fiber Reinforced Polymer(FRP) 5-meter bridge that was designed in UAE. Dar

2) Agrivoltaic solar farms present surprising results

Next-gen solar farms are enabling production of energy and food, while saving water in the process! Agrivoltaic farms can solve a raging debate between using land for agriculture vs solar farms. The system enables the two to exist in ‘symbiosis’.

3) Costain and McDonald win Stonehenge Tunnel Work

Costain Group PLC and Mott MacDonald have been awarded a role on the ￡1.7bn A303 Stonehenge Tunnel scheme by National Highways. NH has awarded a ￡60m Delivery Assurance Partner (DAP) contract to the joint venture, banking on their technical and construction management expertise.

4) Dubai sells record-setting Palm Jumeirah Mansion for $82 million

Casa Del Sole, a villa on Palm Jumeirah has sold for 302.5 million dirhams ($82.4 million), becoming the most expensive home to be sold in the Persian Gulf Emirates! Still partially under construction, the 8-bedroom, 18-bathroom villa will be completed in 2023.?

5) NASA aims to create a 3D-printed moon base with LINA

Project LINA, a collaboration between NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration and SpaceFactory created first versions of lunar bases for humanity. A new mission for the project is to create a 3D-printed lunar base for astronauts! The project aims at creating human habitat while reducing the impact of human presence.?

6) Cities warming 30% faster than rural areas, says study

Cities worldwide are warming by 0.5 degrees Celsius on average per decade, 29% faster than rural areas! Researchers from 南京大学 in China also noted that ‘urban greening’ can offset 0.13 degrees Celsius of surface warming per decade in European cities.

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7) Acciona among first to use hydrogen fuel cells on-site

Spanish contractor ACCIONA is using hydrogen fuel cells for on-site power generation on a road construction site in Spain. The contractor installed an ‘S’ series Power Tower from UK-based AFC Energy on-site in August. To date, the tower has completed 300 hours of operation, generating more than 400kW/h of ‘zero-emission’ power. ACCIONA Energía

8) Building codes saved Florida town from Hurricane Ian

Punta Gorda, a town of 20,000 people has shown that strident building codes can minimize structural damage, saving an entire town! The coastal town escaped Hurricane Ian largely intact, with many houses showing only minimal exterior damage!?

9) Texas green lights two border wall projects, 14 miles long, worth $307M

Texas has awarded contracts worth $307M for two US-Mexico border wall projects that span nearly 14 miles together. Two walls, 6.7 miles and 6.95 miles long will be built. The state is currently negotiating land-use agreements, but ground-breaking dates have not been decided yet.

10) BEEAH launches recycling facility run by robots and AI

In a bid to reinforce zero waste-to-landfill ambitions BEEAH Group has launched its 10th commercial and industrial waste management facility in Sharjah. The four-square-kilometer integrated waste management complex will help Sharjah achieve 100% landfill waste diversion this year.

11) 17,000 construction firms at risk as inflation threatens ‘entire sector’ in UK

The number of UK construction companies risking collapse under rising inflation has jumped to 54%, with 16755 companies in total. The number is up from 10,686 last quarter according to City A.M. Spiraling construction costs, inflation and rising interest rates on debts are primary causes.

12) Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince launches Saudi Downtown Company

The Saudi Downtown Company (SDC) launched by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aims to develop downtown areas in 12 cities throughout Saudi Arabia. The company will improve infrastructure, build partnerships with private sector and investors and create new business opportunities.

13) BIG starts construction of new controversial landmark in Berlin

The ‘EDGE East Side Berlin‘ high-rise office tower has started construction. The project designed by BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group has undergone extensive discussions and protests, but is considered ‘one of the healthiest’ skyscrapers in Germany.?

14) German firm to build a 96-meter tower with hybrid timber technology in Zanzibar

German-led engineering firm CPS is planning a 96-meter-tall hybrid timber tower in Fumba Town, Zanzibar. Named Burj Zanzibar, the structure will be a ‘vertical green village’. The project is one of the latest efforts for sustainable housing in the country.

15) California passes law allowing affordable housing to bypass approval processes

California governor has passed a major reform bill for homebuilding in the state. The Affordable Housing and High Road Jobs Act, signed on September 28th, will override local zoning codes to allow for more affordable housing units to be built on land previously zoned for commercial use!

16) Material passport pioneered at the London office site

Building materials used on Edenica office development in London are to be documented using a special passport. This process will make it easier to reuse materials at the end of this building’s lifecycle.?

17) Egypt needs 600,000 new homes each year

Egypt needs to build at least 600,000 new homes each year to fulfill the supply shortage caused by rapid population growth. The private sector needs to play a larger role in housing projects and affordable developments.

18) Hongkong home prices could nosedive 30% through 2023, forecasts Goldman Sachs

High mortgage rates are driving interest rates and keeping investors away from the Hong Kong real estate market. The trend is set to continue with a staggering 30% drop in house prices according to American investment bank 高盛 .?

19) Saudi Arabia to host 2029 Asian Winter Games in Neom- in the heart of the desert!

Saudi Arabia has won the right to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games at its Trojena resort, in the heart of the desert. The resort is being designed by Zaha Hadid Architects , UNStudio , 凯达 , LAVA, and Bureau Proberts as part of the NEOM development. #trojena2029

20) “Mount Tirana” set to become Albania’s tallest building

Danish architects CEBRA has designed Albania’s new tallest building at 185 meters tall. Named Mount Tirana, the tower will be a multi-use development with residential, commercial, and office spaces. The tower’s fa?ade will be punctuated with greenery and will form the silhouette of a chess queen.

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