A recent study, 2023 State of Design & Make by software developer Autodesk, contains some interesting takeaways for the design and construction industry.
Respondents to a survey of industry leaders from the architecture, engineering, construction, product design, manufacturing, and entertainment spheres strongly support the idea that improving their organization’s sustainability practices is good for business. Some 80% of respondents say stellar sustainability policies and practices strengthen their organization’s reputation and help in the war for talent.
“Sustainability attracts talent,” says Fiona Short, principal and architect at Warren and Mahoney, a multidisciplinary architectural practice, in a post on the Autodesk web site. “You want the right people to come and want to work for you, and you want to be a company that people are proud to work for. A focus on sustainability helps you to get the best out of people because they’re passionate and their work aligns with their values.”
The survey also found evidence to support the notion that digitally mature companies have a distinct advantage over peers who lag in adopting technology such as cloud computing. Many companies believe a robust digital platform that enables remote work will be a key competitive advantage. And the respondents say the performance gap between digitally adept firms and laggards is getting wider.
“If there is one overarching takeaway from the survey data and interviews, it’s this: success today and tomorrow depends on our ability to transform how we work, and digital tools will help us respond,” the Autodesk post says. “Modern, trusted design and make platforms allow people to create better, faster, more affordably and sustainably, by making data more accessible and extensible, and collaboration more seamless across functions, geographies, and industries.”
Related Stories
Sustainability | Dec 22, 2023
WSP unveils scenario-planning online game
WSP has released a scenario-planning online game to help organizations achieve sustainable development goals while expanding awareness about climate change.
Giants 400 | Dec 20, 2023
Top 100 Apartment and Condominium Construction Firms for 2023
Clark Group, Suffolk Construction, Summit Contracting Group, and McShane Companies top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest apartment building and condominium general contractors and construction management (CM) firms for 2023, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Dec 20, 2023
Top 40 Student Housing Construction Firms for 2023
Findorff, Juneau Construction, JE Dunn Construction, and Weitz Company top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest student housing facility general contractors and construction management (CM) firms for 2023, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Healthcare Facilities | Dec 19, 2023
A new hospital in Duluth, Minn., is now the region’s largest healthcare facility
In Duluth, Minn., the new St. Mary’s Medical Center, designed by EwingCole, is now the largest healthcare facility in the region. The hospital consolidates Essentia Health’s healthcare services under one roof. At about 1 million sf spanning two city blocks, St. Mary’s overlooks Lake Superior, providing views on almost every floor of the world’s largest freshwater lake.
Government Buildings | Dec 19, 2023
New Pennsylvania State Archives building holds documents dating back to 1680
Work was recently completed on a new Pennsylvania State Archives building in Harrisburg, Penn. The HGA-designed, 146,000-sf facility offers numerous amenities, including computers, scanners, printers, a kitchenette with seating, lockers, a meeting room, a classroom, an interactive video wall, gallery, and all-gender restrooms. The features are all intended to provide a welcoming and comfortable environment for visitors.
MFPRO+ News | Dec 18, 2023
Berkeley, Calif., raises building height limits in downtown area
Facing a severe housing shortage, the City of Berkeley, Calif., increased the height limits on residential buildings to 12 stories in the area close to the University of California campus.
Green | Dec 18, 2023
Class B commercial properties gain more from LEED certification than Class A buildings
Class B office properties that are LEED certified command a greater relative benefit than LEED-certified Class A buildings, according to analysis from CBRE. The Class B LEED rent advantage over non-LEED is about three times larger than the premium earned by Class A LEED buildings.
Codes and Standards | Dec 18, 2023
ASHRAE releases guide on grid interactivity in the decarbonization process
A guide focusing on the critical role of grid interactivity in building decarbonization was recently published by ASHRAE. The Grid-Interactive Buildings for Decarbonization: Design and Operation Resource Guide provides information on maximizing carbon reduction through buildings’ interaction with the electric power grid.
Sustainable Design and Construction | Dec 14, 2023
Suffolk Construction establishes Suffolk Sustainability Group
Design veterans Steven Burke and Michael Swenson will lead the new sustainability initiative for Suffolk.
75 Top Building Products | Dec 13, 2023
75 top building products for 2023
From a bladeless rooftop wind energy system, to a troffer light fixture with built-in continuous visible light disinfection, innovation is plentiful in Building Design+Construction's annual 75 Top Products report.
