Skanska, Foster + Partners team up on development of first commercial 3D concrete printing robot

Skanska, Foster + Partners, and engineers at Loughborough University (LU) are working together to create the first commercial 3D concrete printing robot.

LU has been working on the project since 2007, but the new partnership is recent, according to ArchDaily. Skanska will participate in an 18-month program with a consortium of partners to develop a robot capable of printing complex structural components with concrete. Robotics firm ABB and aggregates suppliers Buchan Concrete and Lafarge Tarmac will be a part of the consortium, as well.

“3D concrete printing, when combined with a type of mobile prefabrication center, has the potential to reduce the time needed to create complex elements of buildings from weeks to hours,” stated Skanska Director Rob Francis. “We expect to achieve a level of quality and efficiency which has never been seen before in construction.”

Check out this video about LU's 3D printing research:

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.

Urban Planning | Dec 18, 2023

The impacts of affordability, remote work, and personal safety on urban life

Data from Gensler's City Pulse Survey shows that although people are satisfied with their city's experience, it may not be enough.

Berkeley, Calif., raises height limits in downtown area - Photo: Wikipedia

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.

Architects | Dec 18, 2023

Perkins&Will’s new PRECEDE tool provides access to public health data to inform design decisions

Perkins&Will recently launched a free digital resource that allows architects and designers to access key public health data to inform design decisions. The “Public Repository to Engage Community and Enhance Design Equity,” or PRECEDE, centralizes demographic, environmental, and health data from across the U.S. into a geospatial database.