The design of a McDonald’s site in Bourse, Brussels has been praised for its innovative circular approach. As part of McDonald’s aim to become a net-zero business by 2050, the multinational fast food chain commissioned Antwerp-based design studio WeWantMore to create a sustainable design for its dining areas, with a
International real estate advisor Savills today announced the acquisition of PMCC ACTUS, a specialist Project Management and Dispute Resolution business in Malaysia. This strategic move reinforces Savills’ commitment to expanding its Project Management services across the Asia Pacific region. Savills’ acquisition of PMCC ACTUS aligns with the company’s strategic vision
iLOQ creates customized mobile-key-based solution to provide secure access to DFMG’s rooftop sites. Founded in 2002 (as a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom), Deutsche Funkturm (DFMG) is a key player in developing infrastructure for German mobile network operators, broadcasters, operators of radio relays, and the radio networks of authorities and other
Following a successful pilot phase initiated last year, Ecophon is now fully operating SoundCircularity Reuse in Sweden. Contributing to Ecophon’s circular offer, the reuse initiative aims to reduce the carbon footprint and resource usage of acoustic products by providing an alternative to newly produced acoustic materials. Building on the promising
The economic slowdown in China and rise in nearshoring activities worldwide are opening up new construction opportunities for key emerging markets in Asia with Malaysia, Indonesia and India all benefitting. The international trend of nearshoring, friend-shoring and reshoring is stimulating construction demand for local manufacturing bases in Asia to reduce
Brookfield and Logistik Service, through their joint venture agreement to build high-quality logistics space, have initiated the development of a c.850,000 square foot logistics platform in central Spain. The agreement includes the option to further expand the warehouse space by c.300,000 square foot. The new site is located in the
Rohlig SUUS Logistics, the largest Polish logistics operator, will open its first warehouse in Hungary with an area of 7,000 sqm in mid-summer at the state-of-the-art logistics park near the Budapest International Airport. HelloParks Maglód’s 45,000 sqm MG3 facility will support tenants’ operations with flexible green features, efficient and cost-effective
Ayesa, a leading global provider of technology and engineering solutions, announces it has won its biggest contract ever in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, worth 95 million euros. The National Water Company (NWC), a key figure in the water industry, has appointed the Andulasian firm to provide consultancy services for
Building DC4 at Prologis Park Wrocław III is the largest speculative facility in Prologis’ history in Poland, covering an area of 50,000 square meters. Its modern warehouse and production spaces respond to the growing needs and expectations of customers in the region. Meanwhile, a location close to the airport and
This Women in Construction Week, HEITKAMP Site Manager Sina Motsch shares her thoughts on how digital solutions have diversified the business of earthworks… Located in the renowned mining region of Germany, Saarland, the Maybach mining heap stands as a testament to the industrial legacy dating back centuries. Historically serving as
The design of a McDonald’s site in Bourse, Brussels has been praised for its innovative circular approach. As part of McDonald’s aim to become a net-zero business by 2050, the multinational fast food chain commissioned Antwerp-based design studio WeWantMore to create a sustainable design for its dining areas, with a focus on décor circularity. This refurbishment follows similar projects from WeWantMore at McDonald’s restaurants in Carbonne and La Guerche de Bretagne, France. The premise for these projects was to create a blueprint that could be scaled to other McDonald’s around the world, facilitated by a measurement index tracking the circularity of McDonald’s global restaurant décor. The building holds historical significance as the first McDonald’s in Belgium, and it now also represents an innovative approach to sustainable restaurant design, where every aspect has been carefully planned to minimise environmental impact. Over 80 per cent of the wood used in the project is from PEFC-certified sources, and the plastic used for tabletops and stools is largely made from recycled materials. Laminates, which are hard to recycle due to their multiple layers of composite materials, have been removed from all furniture and décor elements where possible. The lighting is energy-efficient, and the flooring and ceiling are Cradle-to-Cradle certified, allowing for easy recycling or reuse after their lifecycle. Ruud Belmans, WeWantMore Founder and Creative Director, said, “With this concept, we want to show that sustainable design can be bold and fun while making a significant difference. The main progress was made by choosing the right materials and designing the furniture and interior elements from scratch, simplifying as much as possible.” Looking to the future, the design is also purposely easy to disassemble. Rather than using glues, which can make materials harder to reuse, elements are held together using mechanical fixings. This means restaurant features can be more effectively broken down by raw material type, with the goal of recycling or reusing. Stephen Douglas, Vice President, Global Restaurant Design at McDonald’s, said, “Our new McDonald’s restaurant design bridges creativity and sustainability through a focus on décor circularity, elevating the way design meets the needs of our customers and employees. Not only does the new décor have a bright, optimistic look, but the circularity principles provide a sunny outlook to the future of how we will be feeding and fostering community.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
International real estate advisor Savills today announced the acquisition of PMCC ACTUS, a specialist Project Management and Dispute Resolution business in Malaysia. This strategic move reinforces Savills’ commitment to expanding its Project Management services across the Asia Pacific region. Savills’ acquisition of PMCC ACTUS aligns with the company’s strategic vision to expand its Project Management services across the Asia Pacific region. With strong businesses across APAC in India, Australasia, and South East Asia, this move demonstrates Savills’ commitment to enhancing its offerings and delivering comprehensive solutions to its clients, cementing its position as a leading provider in the project management and building services industry. The integration of PMCC ACTUS’ expertise in project management and dispute advisory for investors, developers, and end-users, seamlessly complements Savills’ existing service offerings. This acquisition enables Savills to deliver an even broader spectrum of innovative and sustainable property solutions, further catering to the evolving needs of the Asia Pacific property market. “The acquisition of PMCC Actus is a testament to Savills’ commitment to providing best-in-class project management solutions” said Mr. Will Forwood, Managing Director, Savills Projects, APAC. “Our combined expertise and geographic reach will drive growth and deliver exceptional value to our clients across the region.” Since its establishment in 2019, PMCC ACTUS has successfully secured new and repeat projects with renowned multinational clients. PMCC ACTUS focuses on two market segments: Project Management and Construction Claims & Disputes. Post acquisition these services will be established as Savills Projects for Project Management and ACTUS for Construction Claims & Disputes. This expansion will broaden and amplify Savills’ professional services in APAC by offering construction industry advisory related to claims, dispute strategy, contract administration, advocacy, and mediation. “I’m very excited by the opportunity this acquisition brings to the PMCC ACTUS team,” added Mr. Jamie Duncan, who will assume the role as Managing Director, Savills Projects, Malaysia. “The announcement today from Savills will enable the company to further expand its clientele, footprint and service offering, which we are poised to capitalize on within the growing APAC markets.” “Savills has always been at the forefront of empowering businesses through the strategic development of national delivery platforms. I’m delighted to welcome Jamie into our Malaysia team. With the expansion of Savills Projects, we are set to redefine the landscape of project management in Malaysia, ensuring that we continue to help people thrive through places and spaces,” Datuk Paul Khong, Managing Director, Savills Malaysia, finished. “ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
iLOQ creates customized mobile-key-based solution to provide secure access to DFMG’s rooftop sites. Founded in 2002 (as a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom), Deutsche Funkturm (DFMG) is a key player in developing infrastructure for German mobile network operators, broadcasters, operators of radio relays, and the radio networks of authorities and other institutions. With more than 35,000 antenna sites, it is the largest operator of radio infrastructure in Germany and the 3rd largest in Europe. The company’s portfolio includes around 20,000 rooftop locations. The sites are currently accessed using mechanical keys. To minimize operating and administrative costs, DFMG decided to replace the previous access solution with a customized solution from iLOQ. In 2021, iLOQ created an initial prototype for the lids based on the battery-free and keyless iLOQ S50 solution. With iLOQ S50, an NFC-enabled smartphone is both a key and a power source. The smartphone’s NFC induction generates enough electrical energy to identify access rights and open the lock. Access rights, which are centrally managed using a single cloud-based SaaS platform, are sent remotely and in real time to an app running on the technician’s smartphone. They can be updated as necessary or blocked immediately to eliminate security risks involved with lost, stolen, or unreturned keys, reduce unauthorized access and safeguard on-site equipment. iLOQ’s prototype fulfilled all legal and regulatory requirements and the customized product, which has been certified by DFMG, is now being rolled out to all rooftop sites as a first step. “ilOQ’s intelligent, digital products increase security and simplify the management of access to our radio sites and critical infrastructures. The user-friendly software solution enables us to grant or withdraw new access rights quickly and efficiently. Both we and our customers and contractors are delighted,” states Cornelia Essing, Head of Site Access, DFMG Deutsche Funkturm GmbH. After the roll-out at the rooftop sites, DFMG will implement the intelligent, secure, and sustainable solutions from iLOQ for its radio towers in Germany. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Following a successful pilot phase initiated last year, Ecophon is now fully operating SoundCircularity Reuse in Sweden. Contributing to Ecophon’s circular offer, the reuse initiative aims to reduce the carbon footprint and resource usage of acoustic products by providing an alternative to newly produced acoustic materials. Building on the promising outcomes of the pilot, Ecophon’s reuse service involves taking back used acoustic products from existing buildings, for instance in connection with reconstructions, renovations, or tenant customisations. Ecophon will subsequently pay for the additional time for a correct demounting. After a thorough screening program to assess the quality, the products are sold to customers again, as a positive option in new construction and renovation projects due to the lower impact on the climate than new materials. “We are proud to break new ground and lead the way towards circularity. Ecophon takes responsibility as a material supplier enabling extended product lifespans through reuse and recycling – instead of ending up in landfill. By reintroducing products into the market, we also support our clients in achieving their sustainability goals. Integrating reuse fully into our business model is a logical extension of our circularity offer,” says Pierre-Emmanuel Thiard, CEO at Ecophon. Ecophon is one of the first construction product manufacturers in Sweden with a complete business model for taking care of reused products and reselling them to the market. Ecophon glass wool acoustic panels are engineered to last long and are noted for their durability and ease of handling, making them particularly suitable for reuse. By providing a feasible alternative with reduced environmental impact compared to buying new, Ecophon is helping to meet the growing demand for reused building materials in Sweden. “We are excited to move forward with this full-scale launch. Ecophon Reuse service is compatible with the most standard products, which are found in almost all buildings, making it easy. The positive response from the pilot confirms the market’s readiness for such solutions, and we continue our collaboration with partners and customers in Sweden to develop practical solutions for material reuse,” adds Karina Wisniewska, Service Range Manager at Ecophon. The demand for reused and reusable materials in the building sector is both needed and rising. According to the Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning, the construction and property sector accounts for more than a fifth of total greenhouse gas emissions in Sweden.1 Furthermore, the construction sector is responsible for over 35% of the EU’s total waste generation.2 Reused sound absorbents can both lower the climate impact of projects and reduce landfill. The reuse service is now fully operating in Sweden and will work alongside Ecophon’s award winning recycling service, which focuses on recycling panels that are not accepted for reuse. Read more about Ecophon’s reuse service and other sustainability initiatives here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The economic slowdown in China and rise in nearshoring activities worldwide are opening up new construction opportunities for key emerging markets in Asia with Malaysia, Indonesia and India all benefitting. The international trend of nearshoring, friend-shoring and reshoring is stimulating construction demand for local manufacturing bases in Asia to reduce reliance on cross-border trade. Meanwhile, as developed markets in the region adjust to both macroeconomic and domestic challenges, Hong Kong re-enters the top 10 list of most expensive markets to build in globally, in ninth place, with an average cost of US$4,500 per m2, followed closely by Macau in 12th with an average cost of US$4,269 per m2. The International construction market survey (ICMS) 2024 report, from global professional services company Turner & Townsend, shows that while construction still faces challenges, inflationary pressure is softening, and stabilising costs are allowing investment flow in key global growth sectors such as data centres, healthcare and manufacturing. From a survey of 91 global cities, with the exception of Hong Kong and Macau, all Chinese markets languish near the bottom of the overall cost table. China’s GDP growth is forecast to slow to 4.6 percent in 2024 from 5.2 percent last year1 as the country’s abundant labour force continues to keep costs low across its mainland markets. Japanese cities, stalwarts in the top ten most expensive cities to build in globally for the past two years, have slipped out of the top rankings this year. Tokyo, ranked fifth, and Osaka, sixth, in 2023 are now the 13th and 17th most expensive markets to build in worldwide at US$ 4,127 per m2 and US$3,985 per m2, respectively. Strong global inflation, moderate post-pandemic economic growth, and a significant devaluation of the Yen to a 34-year low, are key factors behind Japan’s lower overall construction costs this year. The weakened Yen, however, has spurred foreign investment into sectors such as data centres, advanced manufacturing and urban developments, all of which are experiencing high growth. Osaka, in particular, is seeing a major development boon as it prepares for World Expo 2025. India has seen strong industrial investment as it strengthens its economic drivers – particularly in advanced manufacturing – as it looks to overtake China. This is seen in Bangalore, where advanced manufacturing construction costs are now US$1,861 per m2, compared with US$568 per m2 in Shenzhen. Malaysia and Indonesia are also seeing high growth in manufacturing as part of this shift, and in Jakarta, the cost of advanced manufacturing construction has sharply risen. A significant factor driving inflation worldwide is a scarcity of skilled labour. A staggering 79.1 percent of markets, representing 72 individual markets, reported skill shortages. This stands in stark contrast to just 9.9 percent, or 9 markets, with a labour surplus. The remaining 11 percent, or 10 markets, indicated a balanced labour market. This imbalance between supply and demand for skilled workers is putting continued upward pressure on construction costs globally. Overall, the data points to lowering construction price inflationary pressure globally. Turner & Townsend has modestly reduced its 2024 construction cost inflation forecasts compared to last year. Construction cost inflation in most markets is driven by a backlog of projects, which are gradually moving forward as construction costs stabilise. Sumit Mukherjee, head of real estate, Asia, at Turner & Townsend, comments: “In 2024 we’re seeing consistent trends across Asia in response to the impact of China’s economic slowdown. The shift to nearshore more manufacturing, to neutralise the impact of China’s slowdown, is creating significant growth and opportunities as other Asian markets invest in sectors like advanced manufacturing. Other growth areas are being fuelled by Asia’s increasing population and wealth – with much greater demand for leisure and hospitality construction as well as investment in new education and healthcare facilities. “In the context of this growth and opportunity – clients need to keep an eye on labour. Traditionally Asian labour markets are known for high availability and low wages – but as demand grows for specialist construction such as advanced manufacture and data centres, there may be bottlenecks of high-skilled workers in these sectors. Keeping close to supply chains and regularly assessing local development pipelines is essential to avoid potential issues.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Brookfield and Logistik Service, through their joint venture agreement to build high-quality logistics space, have initiated the development of a c.850,000 square foot logistics platform in central Spain. The agreement includes the option to further expand the warehouse space by c.300,000 square foot. The new site is located in the municipality of Ontígola and is expected to be in full operation by the summer of 2025. The warehouse will consist of c.850,000 square foot of built area on a plot of c.1.4 million square feet in the Dehesa de la Plata industrial estate. The space will have 75 loading bays, a 35-metre manoeuvring area and a free height of 13.70 metres. The building also has state-of-the-art offices, ample parking spaces for vehicles and trailers, as well as LEED GOLD & WELL GOLD environmental certificates. The platform is well-located in the industrial estate of Ontígola, which is an important logistics hub due to its close proximity to Andalusia and Levante. In addition, it is located 45 minutes from Madrid and Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport and represents the consolidation of Ontígola as a major logistics centre in the south of Madrid. A number of leading multi-national companies are operating their logistics in the area. Proequity, a leading consultancy firm in real estate operations, also participated together with CBRE in the formation of the joint venture between Brookfield and Logistik Service, and has been the consultancy firm that has closed this operation with regard to the leasing of the logistics warehouse. According to Alberto Nin Garaizabal, Managing Director, Brookfield: “As one of the largest developments in Spain this year, the project highlights our commitment to building high-quality logistics assets in the country and delivering scaled solutions for our partner tenants. The Ontigola area is extremely well connected, and this new platform will support the economic growth of the area and create jobs for the local community.” Javier Muniesa de Caveda, Development Director of Logistik Service, added: “This project is an important milestone for our company in its aim to become the reference company in the Spanish logistics real estate market. This is the culmination of several years of logistics development and the construction of warehouses in this municipality, which reinforces its position as one of the key hubs for logistics activities in our country”. Daniel Galache, partner of Proequity, explains that “Beyond the obvious fact that this is a very important project, not only for all those involved but also on a national market level, we are very proud to have done our bit by demonstrating our capacity to respond to the increasingly demanding needs of our clients in the real estate market”. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Rohlig SUUS Logistics, the largest Polish logistics operator, will open its first warehouse in Hungary with an area of 7,000 sqm in mid-summer at the state-of-the-art logistics park near the Budapest International Airport. HelloParks Maglód’s 45,000 sqm MG3 facility will support tenants’ operations with flexible green features, efficient and cost-effective building management, and market-leading technical solutions. SUUS, a leading logistics service provider in Central and Eastern Europe, will be the new tenant of HelloParks Maglód’s MG3 building. Under a long-term lease agreement with the Hungarian-based industrial property developer HelloParks, the Polish company, which specialises in integrated logistics solutions, will lease 7,000 sqm of space for its new Hungarian operation. The facility will serve as a multi-purpose logistics centre, encompassing a logistics warehouse with 3,000 pallet places and a handling terminal as well. The Maglód site will be a strategically important location for the company’s growing network of domestic partners. SUUS’s services in the region extend beyond warehousing to encompass full truckload (FTL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) road transport; rail, sea and air freight; as well as project cargo. The company also places a strong emphasis on the development of customs services. Laszló Molnár, Managing Director at Rohlig SUUS Logistics Hungary Kft., said: “The modern hub greatly enhances our competencies in Hungary. Contract logistics, including storage, order picking and value-added services such as co-packing and labelling, have been added to our portfolio. Our new investment can serve as a warehouse for raw materials and finished goods as well as a distribution center.” He added: “Its strategic positioning, nestled near the intersection of the M0 motorway, the vital M4 section of European route E60, and the busy Budapest Airport, positions it as a crucial junction in the supply networks of both local businesses and international corporations. This includes prominent players in the automotive sector, a cornerstone of the Hungarian economy.” Besides its convenient location near Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport and numerous major transport hubs, another pivotal factor for the Polish tenant was the capacity to effectively facilitate its expanding network of domestic partners from its central hub in Maglód. Here, they can access adaptable and scalable warehouse and office facilities to meet their evolving needs. HelloParks concluded the agreement with the professional support of CBRE. With this lease deal, 27,300 sqm, or more than 60 per cent of the space in the Maglód MG3 facility, has already been taken by tenants, including major companies such as Aeroplex, Loginvent and WellPack. The numerous modern technologies used in the logistics park, as well as the pro-environmental and pro-social solutions, such as a relaxation zone for drivers in the warehouse, were also important considerations for SUUS in its decision-making process. The 45,000 sqm MG3 warehouse, the second phase of HelloParks Maglód, was the first industrial property in Hungary to be awarded the highest BREEAM rating of Outstanding in the New Construction category. In addition to the completed building, the New Construction category assesses the entire design, construction and project management process, from the sourcing and supply of raw materials to waste management and the technologies installed and used. The company was previously the first in Hungary to achieve an Excellent rating in the Industrial Property category — with its now fully occupied MG1 hall of the Maglód megapark. From 2023, it has been the only company to build all its new facilities to the most stringent Outstanding criteria. “We have completed a complex and lengthy negotiation process with our new client —everyone in the team working hard to contribute to the transaction’s success. Our latest achievement in the Budapest International Airport’s area makes us proud and strengthens our ambition to make HelloParks Maglód the strongest player in this submarket. In addition to its convenient location, sustainability and flexible, efficient operations are the most important factors for our tenants, and we provide them with state-of-the-art facilities to meet their needs,” said András Bodahelyi, Senior Business Development Manager of HelloParks. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Ayesa, a leading global provider of technology and engineering solutions, announces it has won its biggest contract ever in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, worth 95 million euros. The National Water Company (NWC), a key figure in the water industry, has appointed the Andulasian firm to provide consultancy services for the design of 190 cutting-edge, sustainable water projects that will enhance both the quantity and quality of the resource. This contract is a part of NWC’s commitment to provide safe drinking water and effective sanitation with a planned investment of around 200 billion euros by 2030 into comprehensive water cycle infrastructure including water treatment and sanitation processes to the delivery of potable water to its population. In respect of Ayesa’s contract, the Spanish Engineering leader will design major hydraulic infrastructure across four regions of the country—south, west, northwest, and north. This comprehensive plan includes the construction of multiple water storage tanks to enhance the reliability of the water supply, alongside the development of pumping stations, treatment plants, purification facilities, and widespread distribution networks. The projected capital expenditure for these projects stands at approximately five billion euros. Ayesa will deliver the design of these hydraulic projects as well as provide environmental services such as Environmental Impact Assessment and Ecological assessments to the NWC during the bidding stage for the construction of the infrastructures. Ayesa will leverage the most innovative technologies in water treatment, sustainable materials, and measures to optimize energy usage. José Ramón Delgado, Ayesa’s Country Manager in Saudi Arabia, highlighted the contract’s significance: “This contract marks a historic milestone for the company, representing the largest contract in hydraulic works design for Ayesa to date. This contract is an opportunity for transformative growth, positioning Ayesa as a global leader, and leveraging the strengths and experience of our engineering hubs across various locations in Saudi Arabia, Spain, Ireland, Bahrain, and India. This major win establishes Ayesa as a leading engineering and technology services provider in the Middle East.” Ayesa is currently in the Top 20 (#17) worldwide for water supply as surveyed in the 2023 ENR Global Sourcebook. To find out more about Ayesa’s award-winning engineering work, click here Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Building DC4 at Prologis Park Wrocław III is the largest speculative facility in Prologis’ history in Poland, covering an area of 50,000 square meters. Its modern warehouse and production spaces respond to the growing needs and expectations of customers in the region. Meanwhile, a location close to the airport and the city ring road, together with excellent transport connections, are important advantages appreciated by current and potential customers. DC4 also stands out for its functionality and wide range of services designed with employee comfort in mind, implemented in line with sustainable principles. The unique attractiveness of the building is confirmed by the fact that it was almost fully rented just 6 months after becoming operational. The last available space in DC4 covers an area of 7,700 square meters, including the possibility to add an office to any lease arrangement. DC4’s innovative solutions have now led to it receiving BREEAM environmental certification at the “Excellent” level. The building meets over 70% of BREEAM requirements set out within a complex, multi-criteria system for assessing buildings’ environmental performance. This provides significant competitive advantage, given that an increasing number of market leaders pay close attention to the environmental certification of their spaces. “BREEAM certification at the “Excellent” level for DC4 in Prologis Park Wrocław III is the result of our continuous commitment to developing properties in line with the highest standards of sustainable construction. We are very proud to create spaces that not only meet the needs of today’s business, but also help protect the environment,” says Marcin Kruszewski, Leasing & Customer Experience Manager at Prologis. A place with a future Building DC4 offers modern, energy-saving solutions that ensure high operational efficiency. The warehouse space has a clear height of 12 m, a reinforced floor load-bearing capacity of up to 10 t/m2, and enhanced wall and roof insulation. For greater safety and to protect the well-being of employees, the warehouse and office areas are illuminated with a high-quality LED lighting system. Intelligent lighting systems are implemented, with motion sensors programed to meet all customer needs while cutting electricity costs. An employee-friendly place Prologis Park Wrocław III is carefully designed to meet the needs of customers’ employees. The space offers numerous parking spaces for cars and trucks, while for those who prefer other means of transport, there are bicycle shelters and repair points, as well as electric vehicle charging stations. The park is also served by great access to public transport. Within PARKLife™ program, Prologis Park Wrocław III provides numerous amenities for employees, including rest areas and innovative outdoor BookBox libraries. A place with the environment in mind Prologis consistently strives to create sustainable logistics properties. As such, building DC4 is equipped with skylights and window panels on the façade which provide up to 12.5% natural daylight indoors. The building also features photovoltaic panels and solar collectors. Whether it’s about taking care to help a customer’s business or building warehouses in accordance with sustainable development principles, kept promises are… Made in Prologis. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
This Women in Construction Week, HEITKAMP Site Manager Sina Motsch shares her thoughts on how digital solutions have diversified the business of earthworks… Located in the renowned mining region of Germany, Saarland, the Maybach mining heap stands as a testament to the industrial legacy dating back centuries. Historically serving as the repository for non-coal-bearing waste rock from neighboring coal mines, this site has long been a landmark of the local landscape. However, with the conclusion of mining activities in Saarland in 2012, an era spanning over 250 years drew to a close and the site remained inactive until now, as an ambitious project takes shape to breathe new life into the area. This project involves the delivery of an impressive two million cubic meters of soil across 27 hectares, over the entire duration of 10 years. Sina Motsch, a dedicated jobsite manager from HEITKAMP Corporate Group, shares insights into her mission overseeing the project this Women in Construction Week. How do you use data to improve site performance and productivity? Sina explains: “For me as a jobsite manager, the daily challenge lies in grasping the latest jobsite development. Materials are being delivered, machines are constantly running and I’m confronted with a flood of data every day. It’s crucial for me to find an easy way to make sense of it and make use of this information effectively.” Drawing on her expertise in Lean Construction and Building Information Modelling (BIM), Sina aims to integrate BIM methods into earthworks by creating a constantly updated 3D digital twin of the jobsite. This innovative approach allows for real-time consultation of the latest jobsite updates by managers, operators, surveyors, and clients. How can we efficiently collect high-quality field data for the digital twin? Drone surveying was the first solution Sina’s team put in place. She says: “It’s a great method to gain comprehensive terrain insights once every few months.” However, the logistical challenge of daily drone flights and the need for more detailed information on specific jobsite areas and material deliveries required them to explore alternative solutions. “On this jobsite, progress is also recorded using as-built data and the intelligent Machine Control system from Komatsu. These intelligent machines can record actual height and position data during the filling process.” “This data is then sent automatically by the intelligent machines to the cloud and combined with drone point clouds to create terrain models – I therefore have a daily terrain model that is solely created by my equipment,” Why is it important to consider BIM methodology in earthworks? She explains: “In my academic focus, I specialised in Building Information Modeling (BIM) within the field of structural engineering. Now, in my role within the earthmoving environment, digital solutions have empowered me to apply BIM methodologies to earthworks. “By using Dashboard from Smart Construction I can transform my sites to a digital twin, where I can immediately find out where I stand, which materials need to be delivered and I can also easily look at construction fields to see where and how much has been built.” As the construction industry strives towards becoming more digitised, digital twins can help aid this vision. Embracing the goal of a digital future, construction companies are feeling the benefits from their investment in technology – from improving efficiency and profitability to reducing spend, improving accuracy, and even ameliorating fuel wastage. Smart Construction Dashboard, paired with Komatsu’s intelligent Machine Control, serves as a robust solution for monitoring jobsite progress, supporting Sina and construction professionals alike around Europe and the world by providing efficient, real-time insight into the current jobsite conditions. For more information about Smart Construction, please visit: smartconstruction.io Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
