There was a time in the construction industry when all blueprints were made by draftsmen who drew freehand, when a crew had to build its own scaffolding for the upper-story work, and when finding a foreman at the job site meant sending runners to look for him.
Now the times has been changed with computer-assisted-design software, a plan is changed by clicking a button instead of scrubbing a line with an eraser. Hydraulic equipment carries people, earth and materials with ease. Pagers and two-way cell phones make keeping track of employees a breeze. Still, the basics of building a house, a hospital, or anything else have remained the same.
But the industry is decidedly different today from the way it was 50 years ago, and even 25 years ago. Buildings look different, both inside and out, and they are put together using more sophisticated methods and materials.
The trends these days go in two directions.
- Return to classical styles.
- Post-modern look with a lot of ornamentation and a variety of complex shapes.
TECHNOLOGY FUSION IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
Technology fusion is an emerging methodology , companies can create new products, markets, and industries, and remain ahead of their competitors. Technology fusion blends several previously separate fields of existing technology. Three fundamental principles can help companies implement a fusion strategy.
- The market drive R&D, not the other way around, through a process called "demand articulation."
- Develop a strong intelligence gathering capability both as a defense mechanism against competitors and as a source of new ideas.
- Take part in cross-industry R&D projects .
Reviewing the past technology development process, the advanced technologies have been introduced to improve construction efficiency as a fusion of prefabrication, information, automation and construction technology.
Article used by (IISCM) Institute of Infrastructure Studies and Construction Management for educational purposes.
