For this month’s digest we take a look at innovative technologies that shape the construction and architecture sector, circular construction materials in the Czech Republic, plans for carbon-neutral cities in the EU, a BREEAM Excellent certification for Antwerp’s new local governance building and the top 10 of Europe’s biggest construction companies.
BREEAM Excellent certificate for Antwerp’s new Provincial Government Building
Two years after its opening, the 58-meter-high Provincial Government Building in the Flemish city of Antwerp has received a BREEAM Excellent certificate. With its rotated structure and triangular windows, the building by Xaveer de Geyter Architects is a real landmark and immediately attracts the attention of anyone entering the city from the east. The Provinciehuis, as locals call it, is surrounded by a public park with widespread green areas which are crisscrossed by curved paths.
BREEAM, which stands for Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, determines the sustainability performance of buildings using 9 assessment themes: management, energy, health and well-being, transport, water, materials, waste, land use and ecology and pollution. Find out more about this fascinating buildig
here.
Revolutionary ideas are changing the construction sector
Technology is drastically changing the world of construction. Which ideas and innovations will shape the sector in the coming years? World Construction Today points out seven of the most impactful technologies of today and tomorrow.
First on the list is computer-aided design: groundbreaking technology which has had, and will continue to have, a huge impact on architecture and construction. Further digitalization will make the design and building process even more transparent and efficient. The same can be said about Building Information Management (BIM): it allows architects, engineers and contractors to collaborate in a way that offers full transparency to all parties. Using the same 3D models of a project and all its installations, including HVAC and electrical installations, gives everyone a clear view of all design and construction details. Read the full article to discover the five other innovations
here.
When waste becomes raw construction material
Prague’s future is green, sustainable and circular. The Czech capital recently approved the 2030 Climate Plan, which outlines concrete goals to achieve a 45% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030. The plan strongly focuses on sustainability and circular economies.
One of the new initiatives involves reuse centers where people can drop unwanted items, so that they can be recycled and used for other purposes. Slag produced from the incineration of this waste can be converted into raw materials and used in the construction industry, as a base layer in the construction of roads for example. Read the full story
here.
NetZeroCities helps European cities become climate-neutral
It’s no secret that the global climate crisis has reached an emergency level. In accordance with the Paris Agreement, Europe is committed to cut CO2 emissions by 55% by the year 2030 and reach full climate neutrality by 2050. The new NetZeroCities project, which launched in October 2021, is a four-year plan which will support European cities in achieving their goals.
NetZeroCities unites 33 partners from 13 European countries. These partners will work together to help cities overcome structural, institutional and cultural barriers on their path to climate neutrality. To find out more about the tools that will make this possible, read on
here.
Top 10 construction companies in Europe
Construction Europe has published a list of the biggest construction companies in Europe. Based on revenues from 2020, the list gives an interesting insight into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The list also reveals that the top 100 of the construction industry generated a total revenue of € 438.5 billion in 2020 - a setback of only 6,6%. This is quite an impressive result, given the extremely hard circumstances in the corona-year. Discover the complete top 10
here.
