As the world grapples with natural disasters and extreme weather events, clients are demanding buildings that can better withstand these catastrophes. This is presenting a unique challenge to building material manufacturers and distributors.
Manufacturers are introducing new technologies that address these challenges. These include alternative materials that are more sustainable than traditional concrete.
Green Revolution
The Green Revolution in the building material industry is driven by consumers and new government regulations. Concerns about climate change and environmental sustainability are driving the demand for green construction materials, which have lower carbon emissions and use recycled materials. These products also reduce energy costs and offer longer payback periods for users.
The market for these sustainable materials is booming due to their cost-effectiveness and low maintenance requirements. Additionally, these products can be sourced locally and are less toxic than conventional materials. Green building materials can be made from a wide range of sources, including hempcrete—a mixture of plant stalks and binding materials—which is twice as light as concrete and more energy-efficient. Other eco-friendly building materials include bamboo, insulated concrete forms, straw bale, cordwood and slate.
Moreover, technological innovations are increasing the efficiency of construction processes and reducing waste in the building industry. For example, 3D printers can create construction elements on demand, reducing the need for expensive onsite fabrication and allowing for faster completion of projects. Additionally, software like Building Information Modeling (BIM) allows architects and engineers to design models of structures that can reveal potential problems and make necessary changes before the work begins, resulting in cost savings and fewer mistakes on-site.
These trends are forcing building product suppliers to rethink their go-to-market strategies. Those that embrace innovation will find themselves on the forefront of the industry.
Offsite Construction
Although offsite construction has exploded in popularity, it’s not a new concept. Companies like Sears, Roebuck & Co began selling “kit homes” in the 1800s, and Scandinavian countries have been using prefabricated building materials to meet their housing needs for years.
What is different about offsite construction today is the technological advancements that have made it possible to design, fabricate and transport components more easily and quickly. The use of prefabricated components can save both time and money by reducing the need for manual labor on site, as well as decreasing waste. And because the components are built in a controlled environment, they can be assembled more precisely and accurately than traditional on-site building methods.
Many different types of buildings can benefit from offsite construction, though it’s particularly well-suited for nonresidential buildings that call for standardized layouts and strict requirements regarding safety or branding. The Geneva airport, for example, used a mix of modular and hard infrastructure to build the world’s first intercontinental terminal in a limited space.
In order to maximize factory efficiencies, manufacturers often focus on a single type of construction material. But project-specific factors and client preferences can result in hybrid material solutions on some projects, and the right solution will depend on an understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities that each project presents.
Digital Fabrication
As building materials account for a large chunk of overall construction costs, the industry is looking to improve efficiency in this area as much as it has done with labor. With that in mind, digital fabrication is slowly taking hold in the profession, with more companies introducing new tools and methods that allow for the production of prefabricated building elements and structures before they are assembled onsite.
One example of this is the use of a digital modeling system that allows architects to create and test prototypes of structures before they are built in real life. The software produces 3D models of the structure and its components, allowing for more accurate quotes from fabricators. In addition to this, a computer-aided design (CAD) program can help with the entire construction process, from designing buildings to creating blueprints and materials lists.
Another exciting development in this area is the development of advanced building materials that are more efficient and sustainable than traditional options. For instance, MIT’s Mediated Matter group has developed a concrete alternative that is highly durable, fire-resistant and environmentally friendly. It is also able to withstand earthquakes and other natural disasters.
Despite the fact that many building material producers have thrived in the past by sticking with a conservative strategy and not chasing the latest trends, this approach will be a recipe for failure in the near future. As the world moves toward digitalization, companies that embrace digital transformations will be able to survive and thrive in the coming years.
Sustainability
Sustainability is a major trend in building materials, with customers demanding greener options. This encompasses everything from repurposing waste to creating sustainable construction materials that minimize environmental harm.
Many traditional building materials, such as concrete and steel, require a large amount of energy to produce. This is known as their embodied energy, and the concept of sustainability seeks to combat this by using low-embodied-energy materials, such as wood and recycled metal. In addition, sustainability also means using renewable or carbon-neutral energy in a structure’s operation, and avoiding emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) at the source.
With natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires becoming more common, builders are also looking to construct buildings with a greater level of resilience. This involves building with a greater ability to withstand such events, and it requires the use of innovative and sustainable construction materials, including ferrock and green charcoal bio-bricks.
Moreover, building contractors are now focusing on selecting materials that have a lower environmental impact and promote occupant health. These include choosing materials that emit fewer volatile organic compounds and prioritize indoor air quality, as well as making the building’s design more conducive to the use of renewable energy. Some construction companies are even moving toward zero net energy buildings, which generate as much energy as they consume through renewable sources.