Construcciones Yamaro, by Armando Iachini

The Poly Centre commands attention as it seamlessly blends glass, steel and over 500 precast concrete elements to create a stunning façade. (Image: Advanced Precast) Situated at the bustling heart of Sydney’s central business district, the Poly Centre stands tall as a remarkable architectural masterpiece, distinguished by its striking precast concrete façade. By the National Precast Concrete Association Australia . Project – The Poly Centre Location – 210 George Street, Sydney, New South Wales Architect – Grimshaw Engineer – WSP Builder – BESIX Watpac Master Precaster – Advanced Precast Located at 210 George Street, the Poly Centre boasts an impressive precast concrete façade, establishing itself as a landmark integral to the city’s skyline. The commercial tower merges contemporary design with functionality, epitomising modern architecture and efficiency. With its sleek precast design, state-of-the-art amenities and prime location, it stands as a sought-afte...

Image: Wosunan/stock.adobe.com In this web-based ‘fireside chat’, hear how Downer Construction – a leading provider of integrated construction services – has achieved improved efficiency and fuelled growth by digitalising its site processes. With the continued pressures of global skills shortages and economic uncertainty, all industries must embrace digital transformation to improve efficiencies and save time and money. Hosted by Inside Construction magazine, this free industry event is relevant to anyone in the construction, engineering, utilities, resources and manufacturing sectors who wishes to learn how they can benefit from process automation. This webinar session will explore: Real-world non-IT process automation success stories; How Downer Construction digitised over 2,000 purchase order requests in the first six months after its launch; Tips for accelerating digitalisation; Tips on how to develop a successful process automation strategy; and How to improve manag...

Image: Rapeepat/stock.adobe.com Dr Gretchen Gagel shares insights from her collaborative study on global construction industry trends, exploring the current landscape of artificial intelligence, sustainability and inclusion. By Dr Gretchen Gagel. By Dr Gretchen Gagel. (Image: Heidi Victoria) In February 2024, I once again had the opportunity to share the results of a global study conducted with the US-based Construction User Roundtable (CURT) on key challenges and associated solutions in the construction industry. I initiated this study back in the 90s because I wanted to understand what was keeping industry leaders awake at night and what they saw as critical opportunities to improve our industry. This year, I chose to focus on three key topics – artificial intelligence (AI), sustainability and inclusion – and spoke with dozens of executive leaders within large contractors, engineering firms, and global clients such as Microsoft, Johnson & Johnson, and the US General Ser...

Komatsu is trialling several battery electric models in Australia, including the 20 tonne PC210 Electric Hydraulic Excavator. (Image: Komatsu) Drawing on more than 25 years of experience in the mining and construction sectors, David Small has assumed the position of executive general manager for construction and utility at Komatsu. Stepping into the role amid the company’s heightened focus on electrification and smart construction, he envisions a promising future for the construction industry. Small’s journey at Komatsu, which began in 2005 as the construction sales manager for New South Wales, has been dynamic. Progressing through various roles in marketing services, he soon reached general manager positions in areas such as new equipment, aftermarket, parts and key accounts, spanning both the mining and construction sectors. David Small, executive general manager for construction and utility at Komatsu. (Image: Komatsu) In his current capacity, Small aims to utilise his expe...

The new Topcon MC-Mobile is designed for excavators and compact track loaders. (Image: Aptella) By integrating Topcon’s surveying and machine control technology, Lowcock Builders is realising enhanced efficiency, accuracy and control in its projects. Lowcock Builders is a fourth-generation, family-owned construction business based in Bowen, Queensland. Specialising in commercial builds, director Jack Lowcock explains how deploying surveying and machine control technology has helped streamline workflows and increase accuracy on recent projects. The company invested in the Topcon LN-150 robotic total station to enable the fast, accurate set out of designs without the need to offset from PDF plans or create profiles. “Before the Topcon total station, we had a manual instrument that you needed two people to operate,” says Jack. “The LN-150 is much more user-friendly as a fully-robotic, one-person setup.” With Topcon’s FC-6000 field controller running MAGNET Field software, the LN...

Ariel view of Phase One of construction at the Sunrise Beach Aged Care facility. (Images: Construction photos by Travis Cooke Badge Constructions, renders by Thomson Adsett) Designed and prefabricated offsite, light gauge steel framing made from TRUECORE® steel has facilitated on-time and on-budget construction of the Sunrise Beach Aged Care facility. Project – BlueCare Sunrise Beach Aged Care facility, Queensland Fabricator – Mitchell Crisp, principal at Ultimate Steel Framing Builder – Kent Belcher, project manager at Badge Constructions Architect – Pino Gentile, principal architect at Thomson Adsett Client – Lavinia Dack, property group general manager at UnitingCare Queensland Principal steel product – 40,000 lineal metres of light gauge steel made from TRUECORE® steel Photographer – Construction photos by Travis Cooke Badge Constructions, renders by Thomson Adsett Address – 4 Grasstree Court, Sunrise Beach, Queensland Located at Sunrise Beach in the Noo...

Image: Empowered Women in Trades. Empowered Women in Trades’ Melinda Davis shares compelling ideas and essential tools aimed at breaking down barriers in construction and creating opportunities for women in trades. By Melinda Davis, COO of Empowered Women in Trades. If you don’t know Empowered Women in Trades (EWIT) – we are all about creating more opportunities for women to pick up the tools and take advantage of the fantastic opportunities in skilled trades and the construction industry that men have been enjoying since, well, forever. EWIT has only been around for a couple of years but last year 5,000 women took part in our activities. Despite our efforts (and those of many other wonderful organisations like ours), it has been slow going for a long time. Currently, only 3 per cent of tradies are female and that number hasn’t changed in more than 20 years. In the meantime, the government’s Skills Priority List indicates that 100 per cent of trades are short of skilled workers...