Technology is enhancing every process and hotel build is no different. We look at some of the options aiding the construction process – By Vishal Naicker
When it comes to construction technologies, the possibilities are endless, and the current rapid innovation and technology of construction will shape the appearance of future buildings.
Building construction, the techniques and systems involved in the assembly and erection of structures, enable different structural options, especially in the hospitality segment to better suit their styles and preferences. While it may be easier to stick to familiar construction methods, the industry is changing and the new, innovative greener techniques, while challenging to develop to the point that they become standard, are highly beneficial to the quality of the urban environment, and often ingenious.
At the foremost of all the upcoming building technologies is BIM – Building Information Modelling, a system that’s being made mandatory in a number of countries across Australia, Europe, USA and South East Asia. Previously, the design process in the construction industry relied on the systematic multi-stage issuing of drawings and specifications to contractors, from concept design to final construction and beyond. With BIM, it is about bringing together the data and different components to form a coherent set of information. It is not a single piece of software or model, but a new form of information processing and collaboration, with data embedded within the model. Each discipline or organisation creates its own model, and these are subsequently amalgamated to provide a combined view of the entire project. Data is added directly to the model, dictating materials, functions, size and associated information. As documentation remains part of the information set, data can be linked to the elements of the model that it pertains to. Energy modellers use this process to create a virtual model of a building. They then subject that model to the building’s anticipated weather and usage patterns to predict its heating and cooling loads and energy use.
A smart building technology or an intelligent building technology is an integration of communication and control systems, which provide both the building professional and the occupant with a flexible, comfortable, effective, and secure environment. These systems enhance the building environment for the occupants, while controlling the costs. There are many intelligent building technologies which can be incorporated in building constructions so as to lower the operating cost and improve the occupancy rates. One of the main features included in intelligent building technologies is building automation systems (BAS). This is the comprehensive and automatic control of one or more important building system functions. These include facilities such as air conditioning, ventilating, and heating systems. Here, a group of sensors determine the status or condition of the parameters like pressure, temperature, and relative humidity, which are to be controlled. Intelligent building technologies also enable the building administrators to have an increased control over his group of buildings. This is possible by carrying data and voice communications over the same wiring infrastructure, which is responsible for controlling the building data.
Alongside and influencing these technologies is a greater awareness and need to build greener, with sustainable materials used at the construction phase. Building material that embody these construction technologies, too, have been making revolutionary progress. The self-healing concrete which would be available in few years, if tests are successful, could entirely eliminate concrete cracks and expensive concrete maintenance. The process involves mixed bacteria spores, whose nutrients, when activated by water, will feed on calcium lactate to produce a primary component of limestone, which is lactite. Recently a company has also started manufacturing foam material from plant materials like hemp, kelp and bamboo that would be used in insulation and furniture. The foam can provide high moisture, heat and acoustics resistance, and when used can also give protection against moulds and pets. The rapid drying concrete a ready-mix formulated to help prevent moisture-related flooring failures, is also being preferred for its combination of fast drying time, high early strength, compressive strength, and low permeability.
Some of the other newly evolved construction techniques include the Supercap system the caps the concrete base slab, instead of using a traditional trowel-applied finish. The system combines a low-alkali, self-levelling cement-base technology with a computer-controlled pump truck. This helps commendable reducing the time and cost taken for construction.
Given that building and the construction industry is the biggest energy and resource guzzler, the sole purpose of development of newer technologies has been only to strive for greener structures.
And the march towards the same has already started with the wheels set in motion for further revolutionalising the way building are constructed in the future.
