MultifamilyExecutive: Construction Technology

Multifamily Developers Embrace Forensic and Thermal Imaging Technologies

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:23:21 EST

Multifamily Developers Embrace Forensic and Thermal Imaging Technologies

Tablet PCs Boost Multifamily Construction, Maintenance Technology

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:22:59 EST

Construction and maintenance crews turn to tablet PCs for increased efficiencies.

Earthquake Tests Completed on Multifamily Tower in Japan

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:39:43 EST

Seismic testing should result in new design approaches for taller wood-frame buildings in earthquake-prone areas

Factory Built

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 09:57:05 EST

Dozens of new, low-income apartments went on the rental market this September in Cass Corridor, the poorest neighborhood in Detroit. The $13 million Brainard Street Apartment project consists of 20 three-story brick buildings, with a total of 120 two- and three-bedroom units. But some of the best news to those waiting for homes was how fast the buildings went up. The project would have taken two years to build using traditional methods, according to Patrick Dorn, executive director of the Cass Corridor Neighborhood Development Corp., which managed the construction. But because Dorn opted for modular construction, it took only eight months from start to finish. That means residents got into their homes–and started paying rent–16 months earlier than they would have with a conventional construction approach.

Reaching the Pinnacle

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 09:56:54 EST

More than a decade ago, two buddies kicked back at the pool with a few beers and started tossing around ideas for their new construction company. Like so many other entrepreneurs, they grabbed a napkin and started jotting down their business plan. The four main points decided by founders Bob Fleckenstein and Maylon Boatwright? One, never do jobs more than 100 miles away from the company's Jacksonville, Fla., headquarters. Two, hire no more than six employees. Three, never exceed $5 million a year in volume. And four, serve as project managers on all the company's construction projects.

High Hopes

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 09:56:40 EST

How would you like to cut construction costs by 20 percent without affecting the value of your project? That's what Genesis Real Estate Group, the Dallas-based developers of Ocean Villas, managed to do by continually evaluating design and construction options right up to the completion of the foundation. This process is known as value engineering. One of the main goals of the community, a two-tower, 19-story condominium project in Long Beach, Calif., was to reduce overall construction time so occupancy could begin as soon as possible. Genesis and EDI Architecture Inc. determined early in the development stage that using a tunnelform system would meet an aggressive construction schedule and save approximately 30 percent in direct construction costs. With the tunnelform system, walls and floors are poured simultaneously. This not only reduces construction time but also eliminates as much as 60 percent of interior partition framing and drywall.

Cost Cutters

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 04:52:24 EST

For years, apartments have been designed without regard to building efficiency. Commercial projects have always considered the net-to-gross ratio (the ratio of net rentable space versus total gross building space) and are usually 82 percent to 85 percent efficient, while apartments have been far less efficient, with an average ratio of 70 percent to 75 percent.