Digital Construction

BIM in brief 25.04.23: Landsec’s pioneering DfMA project opens

Landsec's The Forge: now open (Image courtesy of Sir Robert McAlpine)

A round-up of BIM and digital construction stories that you might have missed in the past month.

Landsec’s Forge opens

The Forge, Landsec’s pioneering platform DfMA project – a star performer at last year’s Digital Construction Awards – has opened. Oliver Knight, head of workplace at Landsec, said: “The Forge is a landmark space with the potential to transform the way the industry approaches sustainable construction. The techniques we’ve used have allowed us to deliver a truly net-zero space which doesn’t compromise on design, amenities or location.”

The Forge was designed by architects Piercy & Co and Bryden Wood. Construction was led by a joint venture between Mace and Sir Robert McAlpine.

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Asite acquires 3D Repo

Asite has acquired 3D Repo. 3D Repo is best known for its 3D visualisation, safety and data validation tools in the cloud. Nathan Doughty, Asite CEO, said: “This is a strategic move that aligns with our commitment to provide cutting-edge solutions for the construction industry. Their innovative technology, combined with our existing solutions, will enable us to offer customers even more powerful and effective digital engineering tools.”

Digital's part in CLC's skills plan

The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) will research proposals for development of a credible evidence base on skills for digitalisation and smart construction as part of its skills plan 2023-24. The CLC also plans to deliver on its commitments to define professional career pathways for net zero, digitalisation, and smart construction.

SafeGuard secures investment

Safety technology company SafeGuard, which uses machine learning to predict and prevent accidents on construction sites, has secured an $8 million Series A funding round led by high-tech investors.

SafeGuard claims to be the only platform that collects data simultaneously from multiple sources (cameras, sensors, and drones, for example) to automate onsite decision-making. The algorithms identify onsite human error patterns and use AI to predict the probability of an accident occurring. The predictive data is then converted into proactive measures that enforce good decision-making beforehand.

Digital twin decarbonises Dublin

Net-zero technology firm IES has worked with Dublin City Council on a digital twin project to identify how to decarbonise Dublin’s social housing stock in the most efficient manner in terms of both operational energy and embodied energy. IES carried out modelling of three vacant residential blocks built in 1962. It assessed the full carbon impact and efficiency of four renovation strategies, over three different time periods.

Social value platform raises £8.5m

Social Value Portal (SVP), a platform for measuring and monitoring social impact, has secured £8.5m in a Series B funding round. This investment will enable SVP to tap into growing demand from the public and private sectors, and to launch a social value academy to help educate business leaders and embed social value into businesses.

Elecosoft continues roll-out of Asta name

Following its return to christen Eleco’s collaborative task management tool, the Asta brand has now taken over Elecosoft's Powerproject brand across the suite of Powerproject products and technologies. Jonathan Hunter, CEO of Elecosoft UK, said: "The Asta name is used and respected by our customers worldwide, and it is in recognition of this that we are bringing the name back to represent our scheduling suite."

Meanwhile, all of Elecosoft’s training courses have gained accreditation from the Continuing Professional Development Certification Service.