In a post-pandemic era, the office is no longer viewed as a mundane necessity but a strategic advantage when utilized correctly – something which business leaders across the world are gaining a deeper understanding of.  

Speaking to approximately 500 US-based decision-makers, Steelcase’s recently launched study identifies five major shifts altering the workplace landscape as we know it.  

THE BENEFITS OF STABILITY  

The COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruptions to the office environment, leading to years of shifting mandates and unpredictable attendance.  

However, Steelcase’s report highlights how this is changing, with around 70 percent of employees expected to be in the office at least three days a week – a number that has not wavered since 2024.  

Steelcase believes having people in the office creates stable working environments, which consequently encourages businesses to make more informed long-term investment decisions about workplace design, collaboration, and culture.  

A FLEXIBLE STRATEGY  

Additional findings from Steelcase’s report indicate that 96 percent of business leaders plan to modernize their workplace in the next two years, suggesting that businesses are conscious of future-proofing their organizations.  

The influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in this decision-making process is noteworthy, as leaders are increasingly prepared to accommodate the evolution of technology and changing working patterns.  

Steelcase urges that this flexibility is vital to encouraging a space where team members can ideate, challenge, connect, and build trust, highlighting how organizations that invest in adaptable workplaces today are building a future that AI is already shaping.  

QUALITY OVER AESTHETICS  

With 70 percent of surveyed organizations already planning to relocate to higher-tier office properties in the hopes of elevating the employee experience, Steelcase’s report found that more employees are willing to commute to the office for elevated experiences that work-from-home settings cannot replicate.  

This demonstrates how a quality workplace is increasingly favored, as it fosters informal knowledge transfer and signifies a long-term investment in people.  

Indeed, Steelcase notes that inviting, positive workplaces tell people they matter and are also key to attracting and retaining valuable talent.  

THE EVOLUTION OF THE DESK  

Steelcase’s findings additionally signified that most businesses are planning for 2:1 or higher workstation-sharing ratios, rethinking what the desk space is for.  

Steelcase maintains that the modern workplace is designed for flexibility, connection, and collaboration – factors that a stationary desk can inhibit.  

As such, Steelcase highlights how organizations that embrace dynamic desk environments are more equitable and better aligned to the realities of the modern working day.  

HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN  

A common thread found throughout Steelcase’s research is the most future-ready workplace decisions are made with both team members and long-term objectives in mind, which the company underlines is integral to supporting employee productivity, well-being, and belonging.  

Specifically, Steelcase’s research shows that inclusive and environmentally driven offices rank as high priorities for business leaders planning their workplaces.  

Furthermore, a more adaptable workplace is consequently more sustainable as it requires fewer resources, has lower material density, and can be utilized for longer. Flexible offices are also purpose-built to be more inclusive as they accommodate a broader range of working styles, physical needs, and cultural expectations.    

With these criteria in mind, Steelcase approaches workplace planning with community-based design at the center, adopting urban planning principles that foster an environment ripe for collaboration, focus, and rejuvenation.  

This builds a workplace that feels less like a mandatory obligation, but a community people want to be part of.  

The post Steelcase: Five Major Shifts Redefining the Workplace appeared first on Construction Outlook.

RAIL FAMILY

Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, North American Rail Solutions (NARS) offers a comprehensive suite of railroad engineering design, inspection, construction, maintenance, right-of-way protection, and terminal operation services.

These mission-critical services ensure the safety, compliance, and operability of on-site railway assets across a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, mining, food and beverage, and much more.

NARS was formed in 2023 when US-based industry leader American Track and Canadian powerhouse Universal Rail Systems (URS) joined forces to establish a footprint with capabilities from coast-to-coast across the US and Canada.

American Track is the leading provider of railroad infrastructure services in the US, with unparalleled experience spanning 40 years, while URS is Canada’s largest provider of track maintenance and construction services.

The two existing brands continue to operate under a consolidated umbrella, serving customers in the US and Canada, respectively.

As a team of proactive experts with unparalleled industry experience, American Track is able to deliver the largest and most trusted rail services platform in North America. 

The NARS brand leverages both the individual companies and their combined size and suite of services to support partners and customers whenever and wherever they need it.

American Track and URS remain focused on quality service while continuing to increase their geographic reach and combining their capabilities to deliver an industry-leading suite of solutions and services in both countries.

The formation of NARS, beginning with the merger of two industry-leading companies in American Track and URS, resulted in increased capabilities that are unmatched in the industry.

Their combined experience, resources, and scale enable NARS to provide its customers with the highest level of service throughout North America.

American Track and URS also share a common culture centered on customer service, quality, and responsiveness, both internally and externally.

NEW FAMILY MEMBERS

To continue to better deliver on its customers’ transportation infrastructure needs, NARS has since added another three members to its family of industry-leading brands.

Along with American Track and URS, the family now also includes North American Rail Products (NARP), Tri Innovations (Tri), and ZA Railroad Services (ZA).

Collectively, these five brands form North America’s largest and most trusted rail solutions provider. 

NARP provides high-quality and seamless delivery of new, relay, and reconditioned rail products, as well as offering complete trackwork manufacturing and assembly capabilities.

Tri, meanwhile, is a leading provider of engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services encompassing feasibility studies, detailed design and engineering services, construction and fabrication management, commissioning, and operations support.

NARS acquired the full-discipline engineering company in June 2024.

It is focused on the energy, transportation, agriculture, and renewable spaces, with comprehensive expertise in facilities and terminals, industrial transportation, and materials handling.

The addition of Tri has added incredible capabilities to the NARS portfolio, positioning it as one of the only major rail maintenance and construction providers in North America to offer a full suite of truly in-house services, from design-build to maintenance and operations.

Tri is a perfect fit for NARS’ culture of providing innovative solutions to customer problems and integrates well with its other operations across the US and Canada.

The brand’s shared commitment to customer-centric solutions and innovation has strengthened its ability to deliver unparalleled value to clients.

Collaborating with NARS has enabled Tri to expand its reach, enhance the services it offers, and deliver exceptional value.

NARS plans to expand the Canadian brand into the US in 2026.

STRATEGIC COMBINATION

ZA provides outsourced rail support services to the Class I, short-line, and industrial rail sectors, offering nationwide coverage, a specialized fleet, and reliable, efficient infrastructure solutions including bridge construction.

NARS announced a strategic combination with ZA Construction (ZAC) in September 2025 to form ZA.

ZAC was originally founded in 2010 and built to offer responsive, reliable, and solution-focused service capabilities, delivered at a pace that minimizes operational disruption for customers.

With this approach, ZAC cemented itself as a leader in the outsourced rail services sector, whose critically important work keeps Class 1 and short-line railroads operating safely and efficiently.

NARS is confident that it can bring strategic direction, valuable capital, shared services, and other support to help ZA grow into the leading player.

By combining ZAC with NARS, it will allow ZA to benefit from the resources and North American reach of a much larger company.

ZA looks forward to being part of the NARS team and expanding the customer base, capabilities, and value proposition of the combined business.

UNMATCHED FOOTPRINT

Currently, NARS’ growing international footprint is unmatched in the industry and now includes more than 45 full-service and satellite locations.

Looking beyond 2026, the company sees itself doubling in size over the next three-to-five years.

NARS’ long-term goal is to be able to respond to any customers across North America within two hours.

The post North American Rail Solutions : Rail Family appeared first on Construction Outlook.

INNOVATING ASIA’S INDUSTRIAL AND LOGISTICS INFRASTRUCTURE

Once an industry primarily focused on meeting the basic capacity needs of its occupiers, Vietnam’s construction sector is now progressing towards higher-quality, more sustainable, and internationally aligned development outcomes.

Expectations from occupiers around efficiency, governance, and long-term asset performance have risen sharply, with several shifts illustrating this evolution.

Namely, a noticeable move towards higher technical and regulatory standards have come into play, supported by Vietnam’s continued industrialisation and steady foreign investment.

“This shift to quality, which has been driven by increasingly sophisticated occupier requirements, is bringing local standards closer to global expectations and reshaping how projects are planned and executed,” introduces Matthew Jackson, General Manager – North Vietnam at the LŌ-GOI Group (LŌ-GOI) – a fully integrated real assets development group with a strong focus on high-quality construction and essential industrial and logistics infrastructure.

Rising demand for sustainable and energy efficient buildings, meanwhile, has seen Vietnam emerge as one of the fastest adopters of green industrial parks and high-performance buildings in Southeast Asia.

Meaningful improvement to national infrastructure supporting the industrial and logistics sector is also taking place, with investment in expressways, intermodal connectivity, seaport capacity, and airport upgrade projects underway – several of which LŌ-GOI is actively involved in.

Whilst some challenges persist, they also create opportunities for disciplined and responsible developers operating within a sector that is becoming more regulated, transparent, and closely aligned with international norms.

One such organisation is LŌ-GOI, whose thoughtful approach to design, consistent execution, and well-coordinated stakeholder management set it apart.

“I would consider the overall direction of Vietnam’s construction market to be more sophisticated, resilient, and internationally connected which, compared to over a decade ago, is markedly more advanced and future- ready,” Jackson insights.

Indeed, the country’s ambition for higher-quality development is becoming increasingly evident in policy, investor behaviour, and day-to-day construction practices, with a clearer shift towards investing in solutions that meet occupiers’ needs.

COMPREHENSIVE CAPABILITIES

Geographically, LŌ-GOI is active across key Vietnamese industrial corridors, particularly the northern growth belt spanning Bắc Ninh, Hải Dương, and the gateway to Hải Phòng Port, as well as strategic locations in the south with a strong focus on the greater Ho Chi Minh area.

Regionally, the group extends its presence in India and across multiple emerging and established hubs throughout Asia Pacific (APAC), supporting cross-border expansion.

LŌ-GOI is also increasing its presence in Europe and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, allowing the group to support its broad customer base closer to their domestic markets.

Within Vietnam, LŌ-GOI’s core capabilities include design and construction coordination for Grade A industrial and logistics facilities, such as hybrid solutions, occupier-ready (ready-built and built-to-suit) warehouses and factories, solar projects, and data centres, delivering tailored solutions for its occupier customers.

The group is also involved in the comprehensive delivery of industrial and logistics estates, including full infrastructure, utilities, and compliance frameworks that meet international standards.

“We also offer comprehensive operations support, including optimal asset and client management to ensure long-term performance, safety, and operational resilience,” Jackson explains.

Beyond construction, LŌ-GOI supports strategic planning and large-scale industrial and logistics ecosystem development, ensuring projects align with regional growth, logistics connectivity, and long-term sustainability pathways.

Its clients include multinational manufacturers, third-party logistics operators, and e-commerce fulfilment providers who require reliable, high-specification, and fully compliant facilities.

A LEAN, GREEN PROJECT

Strategically positioned in Bắc Ninh, one of Vietnam’s most established industrial provinces and part of the northern manufacturing corridor, Yên Phong is currently the group’s most representative development project, reflecting the new standards it aims to set in Vietnam’s modern industrial and logistics landscape.

The site benefits from efficient connectivity to Nội Bài International Airport, major expressways, and key logistics routes, making it well-situated for time-sensitive, air freight-driven operations.

“This is particularly important for high-tech and high-value supply chains such as semiconductors and precision electronics,” Jackson tells us.

Developed in line with international engineering and safety benchmarks with an emphasis on modern building systems, durability, and operational efficiency, the two-storey warehouse aligns with the increasing need for land use optimisation in Northern Vietnam’s maturing industrial zones.

Currently standing out as the greenest asset in LŌ-GOI’s growing portfolio, the introduction of fruit orchards and soft landscape zones have helped to create a cooler microenvironment, reducing heat gain from hard surfaces and contributing to on-site biodiversity.

“Fruit orchards, covered and secure motorbike parking, optimised natural lighting and ventilation, and improved washroom facilities support workplace satisfaction amongst our occupier customer team members,” he prides.

Whilst green coverage ratios vary across industrial projects, LŌ-GOI Yên Phong’s green proportion is above the common industry averages typically seen in northern industrial developments.

These features support the project’s trajectory towards environmental, social, and governance (ESG)-aligned and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-oriented development, with projects achieving LEED Gold certification on both design and construction.

STRATEGICALLY POSITIONED PORTFOLIO

Northern Vietnam’s logistics ecosystem is anchored by major public infrastructure nodes, including a deep-water seaport corridor between Hải Phòng and Quảng Ninh that can accommodate the region’s largest vessels and handles a significant share of northern cargo throughput.

Public masterplanning continues to position this coastal gateway as a long-term driver of Northern Vietnam’s manufacturing and export growth.

“To support its long-term trajectory, the system needs compliant, efficient, and ready-to-operate industrial space; this is where LŌ-GOI’s expertise comes in,” Jackson surmises.

LŌ-GOI’s Hưng Yên project is positioned as an inland consolidation centre, around 35 minutes to Hà Nội’s central business district (CBD), supporting inventory staging and domestic distribution with direct expressway access towards the coastal port system.

LŌ-GOI’s Yên Phong project, located in the Bac Ninh province, anchors the portfolio within Northern Vietnam’s manufacturing core – 15 minutes to Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) and 35 minutes to Hà Nội’s CBD – with road connectivity eastward towards key coastal gateways and Quảng Ninh, supporting export-oriented logistics and supply chain flexibility.

Within this broader context, logistics and industrial developments across the Red River Delta are increasingly functioning as inland extensions of port capacity.

Efficient road connectivity enables freight to be consolidated inland, reducing pressure on coastal areas whilst improving inventory management, distribution efficiency, and overall supply chain resilience.

In parallel, intermodal transportation hubs are increasingly expected to reduce logistics costs and emissions by shifting a meaningful share of freight to rail, improving inventory efficiency through storage and distribution solutions, and reducing reliance on long-haul trucking by strengthening integration between port operations and inland supply chain networks.

This combination of assets supports a coordinated portfolio ecosystem, pairing inland consolidation with manufacturing-adjacent logistics and providing multiple routing options towards coastal gateways and emerging portal hubs in Quảng Ninh.

As the second phase of capacity build-out is planned, this portfolio positioning is expected to remain relevant to the region’s evolving occupier requirements and long-term throughput growth across Northern Vietnam.

SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE

Intentionally shaped to integrate with Vietnam’s local environment and cultural context, LŌ-GOI’s developments are adapted to reflect how communities live, work, and grow.

To respect local land use and environmental patterns, the group prioritises site layouts that retain natural drainage lines, enhance landscape buffers, and support biodiversity.

“This ensures projects sit comfortably within Vietnam’s climate and ecological rhythms rather than disrupting them,” Jackson reflects.

LŌ-GOI’s deep respect for local customs – from traffic circulation to community interfaces – means it is able to create industrial and logistics environments that feel familiar, intuitive, and accessible to the surrounding community.

Focused on infrastructure that uplifts the wider ecosystem, it is improving connectivity, enabling supply-chain growth, and supporting local employment.

“This ensures our developments contribute to long-term socioeconomic progress in the regions where we operate,” he assures.

“Overall, our aim is to build industrial assets that are not only technically advanced but also grounded in Vietnam’s environmental realities and cultural identity.”

Equally committed to global sustainability goals, LŌ-GOI has partnered with i-Renewable Energy Vietnam (iREV), a subsidiary of ITOCHU Corporation, to deploy renewable energy generation facilities integrated with advanced energy storage systems across its owned and managed real estate portfolio in Vietnam.

This initiative, led by LŌ-GOI’s Renewable Infrastructure division, will support the reduction and, ultimately, elimination of LŌ-GOI’s Scope 2 emissions in line with its net zero roadmap.

“Our Renewable Infrastructure division provides renewable power generation and storage, carbon offset, and e-mobility investment solutions to ensure the transition to a genuine carbon-neutral future for our portfolio and operations,” Jackson says.

AHEAD OF THE CURVE

With ESG at the heart of LŌ-GOI’s business strategy, it is proud to be contributing to eight of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This year, the group spent a considerable amount of time improving its publicly available ESG policy and setting its net zero roadmap.

Whilst its overall goal is to become carbon neutral by 2035, it believes that it can achieve this goal as early as 2033.

This is supported by brand-new developments leveraging industry and carbon efficiency best practices, alongside LŌ-GOI’s in-house Renewable Infrastructure division.

In 2026, the group will begin its green business activities which will have a positive social and environmental impact and improve the lives of thousands, with some public announcements anticipated in the coming months.

LŌ-GOI also plans to complete its corporate alignment with international sustainability reporting practices, adhering to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).

Elsewhere, the group will strengthen its green development standards as it continues to integrate higher environmental benchmarks across design, construction, and infrastructure.

“From energy efficiency and renewable integration to water, waste, and landscape management, the aim is to make every new project measurable greener than the last,” Jackson reveals.

Through partnerships with the likes of iREV and its own renewable platform, LŌ-GOI is scaling renewable infrastructure across its portfolio.

“We plan to expand clean energy adoption across industrial assets, supporting tenants in meeting rising ESG expectations whilst contributing to Vietnam’s wider energy transition goals,” he adds.

GLOBAL PRESENCE

Looking ahead, LŌ-GOI plans to broaden its APAC footprint beyond Vietnam and India into key strategic markets to support its customers, as well as along key trade corridors in the Middle East and Europe.

In order to support its expansion efforts, it has recently entered into a 50:50 joint venture agreement to grow into the European market alongside France’s GROUPE IDEC – a key European developer, designer, builder, investor, and creator of energy solutions for industrial and logistics real estate projects.

The initial fund will invest up to €400 million in equity – representing up to €1.2 billion of total investment – and will be dedicated to the development of logistics and industrial projects across France.

“This will enable the creation of a large-scale French real estate portfolio jointly controlled by both partners, with a view to expand into other key European markets,” Jackson excites.

The fund will be structured around four core pillars – supporting industrial and logistics sovereignty, advancing the energy transition, promoting sustainable growth, and creating employment opportunities.

Alongside this, the two groups intend to launch a second fund focused solely on data centres, further supporting the expansion of critical digital infrastructure across France.

TRANSFORMATIVE SOLUTIONS

Having forged a reputation for excellence across Asia and beyond, the future is bright for LŌ-GOI.

“Our unique approach is rooted in a deep understanding of local markets, cultivated through years of organic platform-building from the ground up,” Jackson sets out.

By combining local expertise with regional insight, LŌ-GOI ensures seamless execution and delivers exceptional results for partners and stakeholders.

With sustainability and innovation at the core of the group’s mission, it integrates renewable energy solutions, carbon reduction strategies, and green building standards into projects.

In addition, by leveraging advancements in digital infrastructure, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI), LŌ-GOI remains ahead of the curve in a fast-evolving industry landscape.

India and Vietnam remain central to the group’s strategic focus, benefitting from robust demographic and economic trends, modernisation efforts, and increasing demand for global-standard infrastructure.

LŌ-GOI’s efforts to expand into Europe, the Middle East, and beyond, meanwhile, set the tone for the group’s global presence in the future.

“By aligning these opportunities with our expertise, we create transformative solutions that meet the needs of dynamic markets and deliver long-term value for our partners,” Jackson passionately concludes.

The post LŌ-GOI Group : Innovating Asia’s Industrial and Logistics Infrastructure appeared first on Construction Outlook.

Issue 02

Products, Tools & Materials

Kingspan Light + Air North America : Crafting Naturally Enhanced Environments

With a vision to make buildings across the US healthier, smarter, and more sustainable, Kingspan Light + Air North America improves its clients’ sustainability outlook through trusted and cutting-edge building envelope solutions. Marci Bonham, President – Americas, shares more.

By

Scarlett Burke

Lucy Pilgrim

Mar 27, 2026

Read More

Telecommunications & Data Infrastructure

Rowan Digital Infrastructure : Powering Progress Sustainably

On a mission to deliver customized, sustainable data center infrastructure for its hyperscale partners, Rowan Digital Infrastructure is redefining North America’s data center landscape. We sit down with Charley Daitch, CEO.

By

Jakub Tyl

Lily Sawyer

Mar 27, 2026

Read More

Urban Planning & Infrastructure

Cap Tamarin : A City of Connection and Well-Being

Cap Tamarin is a collaborative city equipped with a long-term vision of creating an exceptional quality of life. Yannick Louison, CEO – Real Estate, talks us through how this dream is being realised.

By

Sam Thomas

Lucy Pilgrim

Mar 27, 2026

Read More

Urban Planning & Infrastructure

REHM Grinaker Construction Co. Ltd

REHM Grinaker Construction Co. Ltd is on a mission to leave a sustainable legacy for Mauritius’ construction industry, delivering growth for all stakeholders, employees, and communities. Remy Couve, the company’s new CEO, tells us more.

By

Ryan Gray

Lily Sawyer

Mar 27, 2026

Read More

Urban Planning & Infrastructure

Somet : A Blueprint for Visionary Infrastructure

As Romania embarks on a transformative journey to enhance its urban landscape, Somet’s CEO, Andrei Stanciu, updates us on the company’s pivotal projects which showcase its commitment to innovation and sustainable development in construction.

By

Andrew Marjoram

Rachel Carr

Mar 27, 2026

Read More

Contracting

TMS-Redec : A Powerhouse of Possibilities

As a dynamic industrial services provider offering comprehensive turnkey solutions, TMS-Redec is a true leader of the South African energy and utilities sector. Nico Schoeman, Managing Executive, tells us more.

By

Joshua Mann

Lauren Kania

Mar 27, 2026

Read More

Contracting

Turner Construction : A Journey of Innovation and Impact

We revisit Turner Construction to provide updates on the company’s activities while emphasizing its dedication to development and sustainability, paving the way for a brighter future in the industry.

By

Michael Sommerfield

Rachel Carr

Mar 27, 2026

Read More

Products, Tools & Materials

SQ4D : A Transformative Design for Concrete Solutions

SQ4D has reimagined a world where homes are not just built but crafted with precision and purpose. Kristen Henry, CTO, reveals how the process is transforming the future of housing.

By

Rachel Carr

Mar 27, 2026

Read More

Expert Eye

Resilience : Construction’s Real Challenge

Terry Naden, Managing Director for Energy, Infrastructure, and Build at Morson Edge, explores how the main obstacle facing the global construction industry is no longer productivity but a lack of systematic resilience.

By

Terry Naden

Mar 27, 2026

Read More

Products, Tools & Materials

Insulate Ukraine : On a Mission to Safety

Installing emergency low-cost, home-built, shatterproof windows to the war-torn communities of Ukraine’s frontline, Insulate Ukraine is enabling local people to return to their homes – one window at a time.

By

Lily Sawyer

Mar 27, 2026

Read More

Architecture & Design

The Sagrada Família : Towering Tribute to Gaudí 

The Sagrada Família, Barcelona’s most famous tourist attraction, has now been crowned the tallest church in the world as the Tower of Jesus Christ is installed – almost 150 years after construction first began.

By

Jack Salter

Mar 27, 2026

Read More

The post Construction Outlook Issue 2 appeared first on Construction Outlook.

A TRANSFORMATIVE DESIGN FOR CONCRETE SOLUTIONS

The field of architecture is continuously evolving, especially in the digital era, where technological advancements have introduced construction methods that are both time- and cost-efficient and more precise in design.

3D construction printing (3DCP), also known as additive manufacturing, involves the creation of components or complete structures using an automated 3D printer engineered explicitly for this purpose.

This innovation is poised to revolutionize the industry by addressing modern challenges commonly faced in construction, and trailblazer SQ4D is stepping up to meet these demands.

“The construction industry is facing a perfect storm of challenges: skyrocketing costs, labor shortages, and an urgent need for affordable homes. The founders of SQ4D saw an opportunity to modernize an outdated industry while delivering homes that are stronger and more attainable for the families who need them most.

“After first attempting to engineer a home-building robot that walked around with a nail gun to attach 2×4-inch pieces of lumber, automating the process using 3D printing technology emerged as the better solution,” opens Kristen Henry, CTO.

Technology is transforming the industry in remarkable ways. Indeed, the Autonomous Robotic Construction System (ARCS) has had a significant impact.

SQ4D’s ARCS is a large-scale, on-site 3D printer that automates home construction by extruding concrete layer by layer, enabling the company to print footings, foundation walls, slabs, interior and exterior walls, and insulation for the structure.

The machine consists of a gantry-style 3D printer, silo, volumetric, and pump, all designed to work together and streamline steps in the build process.

“By replacing dozens of traditional labor-intensive steps, ARCS can build faster, with fewer workers, and significantly reduce material waste.

“We have demonstrated that it can print full-size permitted homes in a fraction of the time required by traditional methods, offering potential cost savings and greater durability compared to wood-frame construction.

“Furthermore, it challenges long-standing building practices, pushes regulators to modernize building codes, and introduces a path toward more affordable and scalable housing solutions,” explains Henry emphatically.

REVOLUTIONARY SOLUTIONS

SQ4D’s innovative 3DCP methods improve multiple aspects of the process, including automating many labor-intensive phases of building.

“Automation slashes labor requirements, minimizes material waste, and eliminates the need for formwork, framing, and multiple subcontractor steps.

“At the same time, quality and efficiency are enhanced by a digitally controlled process, ensuring consistent, repeatable results with fewer errors,” expresses Henry.

The printed concrete walls provide added durability, fire resistance, and long-term structural stability, while integrated processes, such as installing electrical boxes during printing, streamline subsequent trades.

Additionally, a spray-paint tool marks the exact locations of stub-ups and outlets, eliminating electricians’ and plumbers’ need for tape measures.

The concrete used has high compressive strength, far exceeding all building code requirements, and SQ4D’s homes are reinforced with vertical and horizontal rebar, providing ample support. These more durable homes are also cheaper to insure.

Together, these advances enable homes to be delivered faster, at lower costs, and with a higher degree of precision than traditional construction methods.

Moreover, SQ4D addresses sustainability and environmental concerns in its construction practices through innovative 3D printing techniques.

“Typically, a great deal of material waste is sent to landfill from construction sites, and any cut sheetrock, siding, trim, lumber, or packaging is discarded.

“By fundamentally changing how structures are built, we are using automation and material efficiency to reduce the environmental footprint of construction.,” she observes.

“In 3DCP, much of the material is removed, and the concrete is mixed on-site in the amounts required. Any extra produced during start-up or cleanout is poured into forms to create roadblocks, pavers, tiles, or any desired shape.”

The homes themselves also benefit from durable, fire-resistant concrete walls that require less long-term maintenance and can offer improved energy performance.

“Unlike traditional construction, which requires upgrading from a 2×4-inch piece of lumber to a 2×6, 2×8, 2×10, or 2×12-inch piece at a considerable cost, 3D-printed beads can be placed anywhere to provide far more insulation and much higher R-values, making the homes more energy-efficient,” Henry tells us resolutely.

A SHIFT FROM TRADITION

3D-printed houses offer several advantages in terms of aesthetics, customization, and functionality.

Their architectural design fundamentally differs from traditional construction methods because it relies on digital modeling and the printer’s capabilities.

“Creating curves or wavy patterns on a 3D printer is just as simple as printing straight lines, unlike stick-built construction,” Henry states assuredly.

Instead of designing around straight lines and standardized materials, architects can create organic curves, sweeping forms, unique wall textures, and complex geometries that would be expensive or impractical to build conventionally.

“In our various homes, we have printed sweeping kitchen islands, planters, tables, chairs, hooded windows, and even parapets. This digital freedom enables far greater customization, since changing a layout is as simple as adjusting a computer-aided design (CAD) file.

“A potential homeowner can see the model of their future home in virtual reality, rather than just as a 2D sketch on a set of plans,” Henry points out.

Another advantage is that 3DCP technology can assist humanitarian organizations in the reconstruction of disaster-affected areas and providing affordable housing, as it has core strengths that directly address the challenges in these environments.

“3DCP automates much of the process, significantly reducing labor requirements, which is important in disaster zones where skilled crews may be unavailable,” she highlights.

“Material efficiency and reduced waste also lower overall project costs, making it feasible to deliver more housing with limited budgets. The printed concrete walls are strong, fire-resistant, and able to withstand harsh climates, flooding, and high winds.”

This durability is essential in disaster-prone areas and regions with limited long-term maintenance. By using locally sourced materials, organizations can build housing directly where it is needed.

AUTOMATION AND AFFORDABILITY

As projects and developments progress at SQ4D, a transformative future for the construction industry is approaching.

“What excites me most about our company is its transition from proving the technology in R&D to deploying it in real projects. Our continued refinement of ARCS allows us to push toward larger and more complex builds,” Henry shares enthusiastically.

“Each new project shows greater speed, improved print quality, and a more straightforward path toward scalable, community-level developments rather than one-off demonstrations. I am also thrilled about the developments in making the process even more eco-friendly with carbon sequestration and different aggregates.”

Henry believes that if SQ4D can develop homes that are cheaper, stronger, safer, and faster to build, while also being more sustainable, it can play a significant role in tackling the housing affordability crisis.

Meanwhile, these structures will be more durable in the face of a changing climate, all while benefiting the environment. This approach truly represents the best of all worlds.

“I envision the construction industry entering a new era of automation and digitization, with 3D printing playing a central role. Homes will be designed with more flexibility, built faster and more sustainably, and tailored more easily to individual needs or community requirements.

“In the long-term, I expect 3D printing, robotics, and advanced materials to help solve affordable housing shortages, reduce environmental impacts, and transform construction into a safer industry,” Henry positively concludes.

The post SQ4D : A Transformative Design for Concrete Solutions appeared first on Construction Outlook.

ON A MISSION TO SAFETY

Since the war in Ukraine began in February 2014, an estimated 367,000 windows have been destroyed or shattered due to ongoing conflict across nearby towns.

In the face of sub-zero winter temperatures and soaring energy prices, broken windows have become an increasingly urgent issue as they are a key component of good building insulation.

Some inhabitants have devised rudimentary solutions to block harsh winds and rain passing through buildings, such as muslin, plastic wrap, or PVC.

However, these solutions not only fail to insulate but also block light and can be difficult to install.

In 2022, a simple yet highly effective solution to this problem was devised by Harry Blakiston Housan, a BioTech PhD student at Cambridge University.

Initially working alongside a small team of engineering students at the university, Blakiston Houston designed, built, and tested a makeshift window that effectively insulates like double glazing and uses accessible materials.

The solution also lets light through, costs just £10 per square metre, and can be built at home in under 10 minutes from a flat-packed kit.

Today, Blakiston Houston’s once small team has grown into the successful non-profit organisation Insulate Ukraine, which is entirely focused on fitting homes, schools, and hospitals with shatterproof windows to get them through harsh winters.

FROM CAMBRIDGE TO KHARKIV

The charity’s window system combines polyethylene sheeting, PVC piping, pipe insulation, and duct tape, creating four distinct layers of insulation.

According to Blakiston Houston, who has put his BioTech studies at Cambridge University on hold to focus on the Insulate Ukraine initiative, the design works in a similar way to triple glazing, offering stronger insulation than double-glazed windows whilst also being shatterproof.

The effectiveness of the window lies in its simplicity, with the team beginning the design process by gathering information on how people were already attempting to repair damage.

They asked contacts in Ukraine to share photographs of the makeshift solutions being used and, whilst residents were doing everything they could, it became clear that many of the solutions were extremely basic and relied on a single layer of insulation.

These materials acted as a temporary barrier against the wind but often resulted in homes that were still cold and poorly lit.

Other replacement window options, commonly made from wood and polystyrene, proved expensive to manufacture, transport, and fit.

The materials required for 4,000 of Insulate Ukraine’s innovative windows can be transported in a single truck, which could comparatively fit just 30 traditional glass windows.

The charity’s priority was to develop a window that was affordable, allowed daylight in, retained heat, and could be installed easily by local residents themselves.

The windows are constructed using some of the most widely available building materials in the world, including stabilised polyethylene that does not degrade in sunlight.

In addition, all components can be recycled or repurposed after a few years, resulting in minimal waste.

A REFINED SOLUTION

Using toolkits from Makespace – a design lab and community workshop in the heart of Cambridge – Insulate Ukraine’s Nikopol team has created a second iteration of its window design, the IU Window V2.

The updated PET-based design is transparent, more durable, and easier to recycle than the first version, significantly enhancing the organisation’s ability to deliver effective aid.

The team began by installing Blakiston Houston’s original window design, but areas for improvement soon became clear.

Its translucency allowed only for partial light to be let through, and its limited ability to provide security were key issues the team wanted to address.

When Houston proposed launching a renovation project to redesign the window, the team worked together to research a solution that would allow people to keep their homes both bright and warm and, after a month of development, launched the new version.

Today, more than 62,000 windows have been fitted by Insulate Ukraine across the nation, helping to protect residents and restore warmth and security to their homes.

Indeed, the project has provided insulation and protection for more than 23,000 people throughout Ukraine.

This achievement marks just one stage in a much broader effort. With continued support and the shared commitment of everyone involved, the charity is working towards its next target of 75,000 installed windows.

Each window installed represents another family able to stay safe and warm.

Insulate Ukraine continues to support Ukrainians in returning to and remaining in their homes, one window at a time.

The post Insulate Ukraine : On a Mission to Safety appeared first on Construction Outlook.

CONSTRUCTION’S REAL CHALLENGE

For years, construction has measured success through productivity – how quickly projects move, how efficiently labour is deployed, and how tightly costs are controlled. Those metrics still matter, but they are no longer sufficient. 

Across global construction markets, projects are not stalling because ambition is lacking or funding is unavailable, they are faltering because the systems designed to deliver them are no longer resilient enough to absorb scale, complexity, and disruption at the same time. 

Construction is not facing a single crisis of skills, cost, or capacity, it is facing a resilience crisis. Until the industry reframes the challenge, it will continue to treat symptoms rather than causes. 

SKILLS SHORTAGE AS A SYMPTOM  

The industry’s default explanation remains labour scarcity. Yet, a closer look at delayed or over-budget construction programmes worldwide tells a different story. 

In many cases, skills exist within the system, but they are misaligned, repeatedly remobilised, or lost between project cycles.  

Workforce planning sits downstream of design and procurement decisions, rather than shaping them. Delivery models prioritise short-term flexibility over long-term continuity. In that environment, churn becomes inevitable. Talent follows visibility, certainty, and investment and exits when those disappear.  

Therefore, what is labelled as a ‘skills shortage’ is often a lagging indicator of deeper structural weaknesses, and not the cause itself. 

These pressures are also forcing change within the wider supply chain. At Morson Edge, a recent structural transformation was driven by exactly these signals. The company recognised that transactional approaches to skills and delivery no longer reflect how construction programmes succeed or fail.  

Bringing technical consultancy and workforce deployment closer together through businesses such as Morson Praxis and Morson Vital reflects a wider industry shift away from fragmented capability and towards models that align design intent, buildability, and workforce continuity as part of a single delivery system. 

FRAGMENTATION INCREASING DELIVERY RISK  

One of the most consistent themes in global construction is not technical failure, but coordination failure.  

Fragmentation has become normalised under the banner of efficiency. In practice, this has pushed risk down the supply chain and diluted accountability across interfaces between design, engineering, construction, and commissioning. 

The consequences of fragmentation are rarely revealed under stable conditions, only becoming visible when assumptions break, programmes accelerate, designs evolve late, or external pressures force change.  

Resilience is not tested in business-as-usual; it is tested under stress. Systems with too many brittle interfaces struggle to respond coherently. Productivity gains matter, but without resilience beneath them, they are fragile. 

WHEN SCALE OUTRUNS RESILIENCE  

The consequences of this imbalance are already visible across major construction programmes.  

In the past decade, a landmark urban infrastructure project in a major global city was launched with strong political backing, committed funding, and an aggressive delivery timetable. Tier 1 contractors were experienced, engineering solutions were proven, and the ambition was clear. 

As the programme moved from design into construction, however, progress slowed. Public reporting focused on familiar explanations – labour shortages, supply disruption, and cost inflation.  

But, those explanations masked a deeper issue. Work packages were fragmented across numerous Tier 2 and Tier 3 contractors, each operating to different schedules, commercial incentives, and workforce assumptions.  

Design changes continued deep into the build phase, often without full alignment to construction sequencing or available skills. Specialist trades were repeatedly mobilised, stood down, and re-mobilised as scopes shifted. 

There was no single point of failure. The project did not lack capability; what it lacked was system resilience.  

Delivery only stabilised once interfaces were simplified, Tier 2 capacity was engaged earlier, and construction sequencing was aligned more closely with workforce reality. The lesson was clear: the challenge had never been technical competence; it was the fragility of the delivery model itself.   

A BOARDROOM SHIFT BEYOND CONSTRUCTION  

This reframing was echoed at this year’s World Economic Forum, where global CEOs spoke less about growth ambition and more about execution under sustained volatility.  

Across infrastructure-heavy sectors, leaders acknowledged that supply chain disruption is no longer cyclical but structural, and that operating models optimised purely for efficiency are struggling to cope. 

The consistent question was not whether construction demand will continue, but whether delivery systems are resilient enough to turn intent into built reality.  

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the growing pressure on Tier 2 and Tier 3 contractors. As project scale accelerates, from transport and commercial developments to industrial and mission-critical construction, Tier 2 capacity is being asked to scale faster than the surrounding system can support. 

Commercially, these tiers often absorb disproportionate risk without long-term visibility. Operationally, they are expected to mobilise and retain skilled workforces at pace.  

Strategically, they are rarely engaged early enough to shape buildable programmes. This is not a performance failure; it is a structural imbalance. Resilience cannot be built on perpetual short-term mobilisation. 

INTEGRATION: OPTIONAL TO ESSENTIAL  

Across global construction markets, the most resilient delivery models share a common trait: integration.

Not vertical integration for its own sake, but alignment across design, engineering, construction, and workforce strategy. The organisations that perform best under pressure treat delivery as a connected system, not a sequence of transactions. 

Where construction sequencing reflects workforce reality, design decisions account for buildability and capacity, and Tier 2 capability is treated as strategic rather than interchangeable, outcomes improve. Delivery risk lives between disciplines, not within them. 

Solving this requires changing how construction delivery systems are designed. Through Morson Praxis, we work upstream to align design, buildability, and sequencing with real delivery capacity before programmes mobilise.  

Through Morson Vital, we maintain continuity downstream, structuring workforce mobilisation, retention, and development around the lifecycle of the programme, not individual packages. Together, this shifts construction away from reactive resourcing and towards delivery systems that can scale without fragmenting. 

WHAT CONSTRUCTION LEADERS SHOULD PRIORITISE  

For C-suite leaders, this moment demands a change in questions, not just answers. 

Construction organisations should be asking:  

• Where does construction delivery actually break when projects scale? 
• Which parts of the supply chain lack continuity and what does that cost over time? 
• How early are workforce realities influencing design and sequencing decisions? 
• Are delivery models optimised for lowest upfront cost or for sustained performance under pressure? 

At Morson Edge, our evolution has been shaped by confronting these questions directly, because construction delivery reality has made them unavoidable.  

The next decade will not be defined by perfect conditions, but by how well construction systems absorb disruption and still deliver. Productivity will always matter, but resilience is what will determine who endures.

The post Resilience : Construction’s Real Challenge appeared first on Construction Outlook.

TOWERING TRIBUTE TO GAUDÍ

Construction of the Sagrada Família in Barcelona, Spain has infamously been ongoing for over a century.

Originally designed by diocesan architect Francisco de Paula del Villar, the first stone was placed all the way back in March 1882.

Villar’s original designs followed the prevailing guidelines of the time, with neo-Gothic elements including ogival windows, flying buttresses, and a pointed bell tower.

Up-and-coming architect Antoni Gaudí replaced Villar the following year and took the project in a different direction, transforming the original designs for the basilica into a far more ambitious proposal.

At the time of Gaudí’s unexpected death in June 1926, just one of the planned 18 towers – the Tower of Bernabé – had been built.

The Sagrada Família has since hit numerous other roadblocks throughout its construction, such as during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s when the crypt was set on fire by Catalan anarchists – destroying Gaudí’s plans and plaster models – and most recently during the COVID-19 pandemic when work was halted.

In October 2025, however, a significant milestone was achieved as it became the world’s tallest church, surpassing the Ulm Minster in Germany, which had impressively held the record since 1890.

TOWER OF JESUS CHRIST

The Ulm Minster was officially pipped by the Sagrada Família when the lower arm of the cross was placed on the Tower of Jesus Christ.

This increased the basilica’s height to 162.91 metres (m) and signalled the start of the final phase of construction of this central tower of the temple.

The lower arm arrived in July split into four panels that were positioned on a work platform above the main nave to get it ready for placement, as well as to carry out glazing and interior works such as stone masonry.

Assembling the lower arm represented a significant step towards completing the Tower of Jesus Christ, the tallest of the central tower group.

After the lower arm, central core, and first two horizontal arms were put into place between October and November, the third and fourth horizonal arms were installed in mid-January, with work on completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ entering its final stretch and progressing at pace.

The arms follow the double-twist geometry that Gaudí gave to the columns and crosses of the Sagrada Família. They are a square shape at the outer end and octagonal at the inner end, which connects to the core.

Placement of the fourth and final horizontal arm rounded off the assembly before the upper arm is installed and, inside it, the sculpture of Agnus Dei by Italian artist Andrea Mastrovito, following Gaudí’s original design.

ARCHITECTURAL MILESTONE

Once completed, the cross will be 17 m high – approximately the height of a five-storey building – bringing the total height of the Sagrada Família to 172.5 m.

As Gaudí wanted the cross to shine by day and illuminate by night, white glazed ceramic and glass have been used – two materials that are radiant and can withstand atmospheric exposure.

There will also be spotlights installed on the Towers of the Evangelists and the Apostles, which will illuminate the pinnacle.

Completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ will be historic for the Sagrada Família and a tribute to its architect, coinciding with the centenary of Gaudi’s death.

This anniversary is not only an architectural milestone – it is also a celebration, remembrance, and collective tribute.

Over the next decade, work on decorative details, sculptures, and a stairway leading to the building’s main entrance is expected to continue.

The post The Sagrada Família : Towering Tribute to Gaudí  appeared first on Construction Outlook.

EXCELLENCE IN BUILDING ENVELOPES

The European façade sector is one of the most demanding in modern-day construction.  

Industry players are contending with inflation and rising interest rates that are putting pressure on investment decisions.  

Nevertheless, increasing emphasis on energy and sustainability regulations, together with higher requirements for safety, are creating a highly dynamic sector.  

“Customers now expect more reliable, energy-efficient solutions, delivered with speed, transparency, and predictable quality over the full lifecycle of a project,” opens Nay Tawile, CEO of Trimo, leaders in high-performance building envelope solutions.  

This raises the bar for performance and opens up many opportunities for companies that are willing to adapt, differentiate, and respond quickly to customer needs.  

“Every project, market, and customer brings new challenges, but there is also a chance to create meaningful, future-focused solutions. It’s a space where innovation and customer-centric thinking can truly make a difference,” adds Janez Kunič, CCO.  

These conditions provide the perfect environment for companies to differentiate, build long-term partnerships, and shape how buildings will perform over the next 30 to 40 years.  

“For Trimo, this context reinforces our focus on high-performance façade and building envelope solutions, reliable execution across many countries with different norms and regulations, and the capability to serve fast-growing segments, such as data centres and global industrial players, which operate across multiple markets,” Tawile expands.  

IN PRIME POSITION  

Having experienced an upward trajectory since its inception in 1961, Trimo today is recognised as a global leader in premium stone wool core sandwich panels for façades and roofs, having delivered more than 60 million square metres of façades to over 25,000 clients globally.  

With more than 450 employees, production facilities in Slovenia and Serbia, and a strong sales network across nearly 30 countries, the company works closely with architects, investors, and contractors worldwide.  

Moreover, Trimo’s project portfolio includes collaborations with highly reputable organisations such as Airbus, Heathrow Airport, Nestlé, Philips, DHL, Porsche, IKEA, Prologis, Mercedes-Benz, and Coca-Cola.  

This demonstrates the trust placed in Trimo’s products and the value it brings to complex architectural and industrial projects.    

“Our solutions are mainly used in high-tech industries, data centres, and logistics, where customers need reliable fire performance, strong energy efficiency, and architectural quality in often complex, multi-country operations,” insights Tawile.   

Together with REX Panels & Profiles (REX), Trimo is proud to represent the Insulated Panels division within Recticel Group (Recticel) – a Belgian organisation focused on advanced thermal and acoustic insulation solutions and supporting the energy transition.  

Indeed, being part of Recticel greatly expands Trimo’s network, granting access to new customers and partnerships and strengthening its credibility in key markets.  

“We combine our façade expertise with Recticel’s strong background in materials and innovation, creating solutions that are more competitive and aligned with future market needs. This connection helps us offer greater value to our customers and strengthens Trimo’s position across all our regions,” Kunič expands.  

Being part of the group also greatly advances the company’s investment capabilities.  

“Within the Insulated Panels division, Trimo, together with REX, benefits from the financial strength and insulation know-how to fund new capacity, technologies, and product development. 

“A clear example is the new insulated panels factory being built in the US under the Recticel umbrella. It’s a major investment that will anchor the group’s presence in the country and support our growth ambitions in the wider North American market,” Tawile reveals.  

UPHOLDING A COMPETITIVE EDGE  

Trimo strives to go above and beyond with its vast range of products, most acutely emphasised by its flagship fire-resistant panel range, Trimoterm – known for its top-notch performance.  

Qbiss One, meanwhile, offers architects a clean, precise, and highly flexible façade solution. 

“In recent years, we’ve taken this even further by developing Qbiss Notch in collaboration with Pininfarina, bringing a new level of architectural refinement and design sophistication to the market,” Kunič informs.  

The company’s customers value the fact its systems are fully engineered, meaning they address several critical requirements simultaneously, including fire safety, thermal efficiency, airtightness, and design.  

“I often say we ‘produce unicorns’; we don’t just make panels – we deliver complete building envelopes with design and engineering support throughout the project.   

“Customers rely on us to solve details, interfaces, and compliance questions, not just supply materials,” Tawile tells us.  

Indeed, Trimo is renowned for the support it provides to customers throughout their project lifecycles.  

“We stay engaged from the early planning stages all the way to installation, offering technical guidance and responsive cooperation. This combination of advanced technology, reliability, and close partnership is why Trimo remains a preferred choice across Europe,” Kunič attests.   

The company’s expanding presence across four regions is an additional strategic advantage as it allows Trimo to remain in close proximity to customers and truly understand what drives each market, whether it’s premium design, energy efficiency, delivery speed, or overall project value.  

“Each market operates at a different pace and with different expectations – from highly sustainability-driven Northern Europe to fast-moving, design-focused Western and Southern Europe markets and more cost-sensitive but rapidly growing regions in Central and Eastern Europe,” Tawile explains.  

This diversity keeps Trimo highly adaptive and challenges the company to innovate with intention, ensuring its solutions meet a wide spectrum of technical, regulatory, and aesthetic needs. 

“Our presence provides a clear competitive advantage as we can identify trends early, address regional requirements, and transfer best practices across our markets,” Kunič adds.

A DIVERSE PORTFOLIO  

At the pinnacle of its leading building envelope solutions, data centres remain one of the strongest representations of Trimo’s technical expertise and delivery performance.  

“Our work with global clients such as Google and Microsoft, as well as hyperscale projects like the Stargate UAE programme, confirms we can meet demanding specifications, coordinate large teams, and ensure reliable execution,” Kunič shares.  

Trimo has several other recent projects that demonstrate the diversity of its portfolio. For instance, the company’s involvement with LEGO in the US and the Natural History Museum in the UK highlights its ability to support cultural and complex projects whilst also being compliant with the latest environmental guidelines.   

Meanwhile, the company’s work with industrial clients worldwide showcases the durability, efficiency, and precision of its façade systems in demanding production environments.   

“These projects highlight the breadth of our portfolio and trust customers place in Trimo,” details Kunič.  

Alongside its industrial investments, the company is also working hard on improving operational excellence at its existing sites, with a number of product and process innovations in the pipeline.  

DEEPLY SUSTAINABLE  

Trimo lives and breathes its focus on sustainable architecture and design, with a strong commitment to reach net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050.  

This is supported by ambitious interim targets for 2030 which centre around significant reductions in its direct (Scope 1 and 2) and indirect (Scope 3) emissions.  

Such targets guide the company’s product development strategy and its decision-making around materials and design.  

Qbiss One NEXT and Trimoterm NEXT – Trimo’s latest innovations in sustainable construction – are concrete evidence of its environmental approach.  

Both achieve up to 69 percent lower carbon footprints compared to the standard Qbiss One and Trimoterm panels whilst maintaining the same performance expected of its façades and roofs.    

More broadly, Trimo’s use of stone wool cores is an important part of its sustainability approach as it offers robust fire safety, strong thermal performance, and long service life, which help reduce customers’   environmental impact over the full lifecycle of their building envelopes.  

This also means architects and developers don’t have to choose between design quality and green performance as Trimo’s façade systems support distinctive architecture and help move projects closer to their climate and sustainability objectives.  

The company applies this same logic to its own internal processes. 

“Sustainability starts with responsibility in our own operations. We want to be a company that leads by example not only through our products, but also in the way we work every day.  

“That means continuously improving how we manage resources, reducing our environmental footprint, and making choices that reflect our long-term commitment to a greener future,” Kunič impassions.  

For example, Trimo’s internal logistics fleet, comprising forklifts and on-site transport, is already fully electric, whilst more than half of the company’s cars and delivery vehicles run on electric or hybrid power, with the aim to eventually have a 100-percent electric fleet.  

Trimo additionally generates its own electricity through an on-site solar power plant at its main production site, directly reducing its operational emissions.  

“Resource efficiency is another concrete focus – our production generates less than one percent residual waste. Therefore, topics like energy use, emissions, and waste are tracked with the same discipline as safety and quality in our regular management reviews.  

“In short, sustainability is not a separate programme – it is part of our day-to-day operational decisions,” Tawile affirms.

TREATING PEOPLE RESPONSIBLY   

Trimo’s success in the building façade space is built upon the professionalism and unwavering dedication of its people.  

“Over the years, I’ve seen how their professionalism and commitment directly shape the trust our clients place in us. I empower them by removing obstacles, aligning teams around shared priorities, and ensuring they have the information and support they need to act confidently,” Kunič reflects.  

Tawile echoes this belief in enabling staff to perform at their best by giving them clarity on priorities, cutting unnecessary bureaucracy, and pushing decisions as close as possible to the teams.  

“I want people to feel they have the trust and space to act, not just follow procedures,” he elaborates.  

Recognition is a cornerstone of this as each employee’s contributions are made visible across the company, whether it’s strong teamwork on a complex project, a smart improvement on the shop floor, or someone taking ownership in a difficult situation.   

“The goal is a culture where colleagues feel empowered, accountable, and proud of the impact they have on our results and reputation,” Tawile prides. 

Trimo likewise supports staff development through training and internal mobility, as well as providing direct feedback, clear expectations, and listening to people’s ideas. 

Beyond upskilling and development, the company also pays close attention to the day-to-day well-being of its employees.  

Case in point, Trimo regularly improves working conditions by installing extra air coolers and cooling stations for staff in the summer and providing healthy, well-balanced hot meals to all employees every day.   

A YEAR OF CONSOLIDATION AND EXPANSION   

In 2026, Trimo’s utmost priority is to reinforce its leadership in core European markets, with a particular focus on the fast-growing data centre segment alongside high-tech industry and logistics projects. 

“The dynamic expansion of data centres offers substantial potential for Trimo, and our solutions and services are already widely recognised and trusted by professionals in this field,” Tawile sets out.    

So much so, the company is considered a reference point for premium stone wool core sandwich panels.  

However, Trimo’s ambition is to further strengthen this position, stay ahead of competitors, and capture additional growth in overseas markets such as the Middle East and Southeast Asia.  

The company’s other area of focus is growth in North America, achieved by building the right partnerships, aligning with local requirements, and advantageously positioning itself to support global customers consistently on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.  

“The third priority is operational excellence – improving productivity, reliability, lead times, and service across our sites whilst simplifying the way we work. This will empower our teams so that more decisions are taken closer to the customer and production line,” Tawile concludes.

The post Trimo : Excellence in Building Envelopes appeared first on Construction Outlook.

POWERING PROGRESS SUSTAINABLY

Over the past five years, the North American data center industry has shifted dramatically.

Demand has surged, driven by artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and cloud workloads, pushing hyperscale operators to prioritize speed, sustainability, and scale.

Power density per rack has also increased, with many data center campuses in the US now exceeding 1,000 megawatts (MW).

“This growth creates opportunities for developers like us to lead with power-first strategies and turnkey solutions,” introduces Charley Daitch, CEO of Rowan Digital Infrastructure (Rowan).

On the other hand, Daitch notes how some of the challenges from five years ago still persist, such as utility interconnection delays, supply chain constraints, and escalating capital costs.

“These hurdles have opened doors for Rowan to innovate, such as creating bridging power strategies and green financing frameworks, accelerating delivery while enabling our customers to meet their aggressive climate goals,” Daitch insights.

Delivering customized hyperscale data center campuses through powered shell and turnkey models, Rowan’s services span site origination, permitting, energy and water infrastructure, sustainable engineering, construction, and operations.

“We partner with the world’s leading technology companies to deliver the IT infrastructure they need to provide cutting-edge computing,” he shares.

Rowan’s customers are US-based Fortune 50 companies that provide internet and computing services used by hundreds of millions of people every day.

Since the company was founded in 2020, it has grown from just a handful of employees to over 125 across its headquarters in Denver, Colorado and an office in Seattle, Washington.

Across its portfolio, Rowan has more than 3.5 gigawatts (GW) in development, including active construction on projects representing 1.6 GW across Frederick County, Maryland (MD); San Antonio and Temple, Texas (TX); and Boardman, Oregon (OR).

A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE

As a company which seeks to de-risk and deliver customized data center campuses for hyperscale partners efficiently and sustainably, Rowan prioritizes its customers as its ‘North Star’ – evident in every decision the team makes.

Meeting customer demand by planning ahead, the company eliminates the common barriers that typically delay hyperscale data center development, such as infrastructure constraints, regulatory hurdles, local opposition, and skilled labor shortages.

“We anticipate and address challenges early – conducting rigorous site evaluations to avoid environmental or permitting risks, engaging local stakeholders early on to ensure community alignment, and structuring financing and infrastructure plans to maintain accelerated project timelines,” Daitch tells us.

Rowan’s design and construction practices, meanwhile, reflect the same discipline. Each campus incorporates renewable energy access, water conservation systems, and materials strategies that reduce lifecycle carbon impact.

“By combining foresight, sustainability, and execution, we enable our hyperscale partners to deploy capacity efficiently and reliably,” he adds.

As the company celebrates its fifth anniversary, Rowan is proud of this significant milestone, which reflects the resilience and ambition of the entire team.

“I am incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made for our customers in a relatively short amount of time,” Daitch reflects.

“For me, this anniversary isn’t just about scale – it’s about proving that sustainability and speed can coexist in hyperscale delivery.”

HYPERSCALE FUNDING

Having recently secured over $3 billion in project financing for its flagship Bauxite data center campus, this major achievement validates Rowan’s model and sets the tone for nationwide growth.

The campus currently comprises three projects – Bauxite I, II, and III – all located within a 2,000-acre industrial development near Frederick, MD.

Rowan’s Maryland campus is the state’s first hyperscale development and offers proximity to the world’s largest cluster of data centers in Northern Virginia. The site spans 2.2 million square feet and will deliver more than 630 MW across several phases.

The company secured the most recent round of financing under its new Green Finance Framework, rated as ‘Strong’ by Sustainalytics, a leading independent provider of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) research and ratings, underscoring the company’s commitment to sustainable growth.

“This project defines how Rowan works – transparent, collaborative, and focused on anticipating hyperscale partner needs,” Daitch shares.

From day one, the company has prioritized sustainability, pursuing building research establishment environmental assessment methodology (BREEAM) certification and embedding responsible resource management into every phase of the project.

“Bauxite also became a model for community engagement for us, with investments in local partnerships, workforce programs, and education initiatives,” he details.

As such, Rowan has built a strong coalition of support in the region that is helping it to lead the conversation around data center development.

“What began at Bauxite established the foundation for Rowan’s industry-leading, community-driven approach to digital infrastructure.

“We’re now taking that model to other key markets across the country, starting with our hyperscale projects in TX,” Daitch adds.

With a focus on renewable power, water conservation, and efficient infrastructure, the Bauxite campus sets a new bar for sustainable delivery.

Boasting 100 percent renewable energy access, advanced cooling systems to cut water usage, and estimated energy cost savings of 16.7 percent versus the baseline, it offers a more sustainable option for Rowan’s hyperscale clients.

PROLIFIC PROJECTS

Elsewhere, Rowan is developing a 300 MW hyperscale Temple data center campus in Central TX, which represents a transformative opportunity for the state.

“Beyond delivering more than 700 acres of hyperscale-ready infrastructure, we anticipate over 600 construction jobs and significant long-term tax revenue – a minimum $700 million investment in the region,” Daitch explains.

All told, this project is similar in size and scale to the Bauxite projects, with more than $3 billion in planned investment.

This not only supports Temple’s growth as a digital hub but also positions Rowan to meet the scaling needs of hyperscale clients in a dynamic and expanding market.

Project Cinco in Medina County, TX, meanwhile, is a standout project for the company, with more than 300 MW currently under active development and over 600 construction jobs created.

“Our work here has been in close collaboration with local leaders, who have unanimously approved voluntary development agreements that really set the tone for how we’re building this capacity,” confirms Daitch.

The company is also advancing projects in OR and exploring expansion into emerging AI-driven markets.

“Each of our sites reflects our strategy – power-first, sustainability-led, and meeting our customers where they need us most,” he says.

SCALING FOR THE FUTURE

Looking ahead, Rowan’s focus is on scaling rapidly and strategically.

This involves expanding turnkey and powered shell delivery while growing its pipeline to more than 7 GW across key US markets.

In just five years, Rowan has grown into a multi-billion-dollar platform with more than 3.5 GW in development.

Over the next five years, Rowan aims to further expand its global footprint and remain at the forefront of enabling efficient, resilient capacity for its hyperscale partners across key geographies.

“We’re deepening partnerships with hyperscalers and AI-first customers while continuing to make sustainability a core competitive advantage,” Daitch posits.

Indeed, international expansion and diversification into AI infrastructure are firmly on the horizon for Rowan.

As such, the next chapter is about disciplined growth and innovation.

“We aim to be the indispensable partner for hyperscale and AI infrastructure operators – delivering speed, sustainability, and certainty in a market defined by complexity and urgency,” he confidently concludes.

The post Rowan Digital Infrastructure : Powering Progress Sustainably appeared first on Construction Outlook.

CRAFTING NATURALLY ENHANCED ENVIRONMENTS

Kingspan Light + Air North America (KLA NA) was established in 2016 as a gateway to greater geographic expansion for Kingspan Group (Kingspan), diversifying its building envelope offerings beyond insulation and insulated panels.

Over the last nine years, KLA NA has developed a full portfolio of daylighting, ventilation, and smoke control products.

“Our mission remains focused on helping customers meet sustainability goals through transparency and innovation,” opens Marci Bonham, President – Americas.

Equipped with this steadfast objective, KLA NA provides third-party-verified environmental product declarations (EPDs) that allow architects and building owners to accurately measure their project’s embodied carbon and Scope 3 emissions.

This translates into the provision of state-of-the-art daylighting and natural ventilation systems that cut the reliance on artificial lighting and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units, ultimately reducing operational emissions.

The company continues to invest in digital tools to help customers model potential carbon impacts during design.

“Sustainability is not just an initiative – it’s at the core of how the business operates,” Bonham expresses.

ECO-FRIENDLY BUILDING ENVELOPE SOLUTIONS

The push towards net zero has dramatically changed the architecture, design, and façade sector in recent years.

“The building and construction industries account for about 39 percent of global carbon emissions, so there’s growing urgency to reduce both operational and embodied carbon,” Bonham informs us.

With this in mind, high performance façades, dynamic shading, and integrated daylighting have become essential for meeting new energy and climate goals.

On top of this, architects are now working more closely with manufacturers to incorporate passive strategies that improve occupant wellness and reduce energy demand, making the sector a fast-moving and highly rewarding space to work in.

A key operator in the architectural space which takes such industry evolutions seriously, KLA NA provides daylighting, translucent wall solutions, natural ventilation, and smoke vent systems for commercial, educational, industrial, and civic buildings across the US.

Headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois, the company’s main offerings comprise UniQuad®, UniGrid®, and PentaClad® translucent wall systems; QuadSpan™ and KlearSky™ skylights; and tubular daylighting devices from Solatube, International Inc. (Solatube), alongside a full range of roof safety and smoke vent solutions.

KLA NA works closely with architects across every project, from the design phases to final completion. The company’s architectural solutions team provides daylight modeling, custom engineering, and specification support to ensure every solution aligns with the project’s overall vision, performance targets, and building codes.

“For example, we use simulation tools to assess how daylight will enter a space and recommend optimal configurations. We also assist with energy code compliance and product selection, offering a consultative approach from concept through installation,” Bonham outlines.

Aligning with its sustainability-driven strategy, KLA NA’s Planet Passionate program means the company is lowering its embodied carbon by increasing recycled content in the materials it regularly uses, such as aluminum and polycarbonate, and designing products for circularity purposes.

By increasing the availability of lower embodied carbon products and scaling the use of recycled materials across its product range, KLA NA reduces the upfront environmental impact of construction, supporting its customers’ sustainability goals.

STRENGTH THROUGH ACQUISITION

Key to KLA NA’s success is its extensive stream of acquisitions which have been a key driver of both the company’s and Kingspan’s growth over the last decade.

By integrating companies such as CPI Daylighting, Major Industries, Inc., and Solatube in recent years, KLA NA has been able to efficiently expand its product range and technical experience.

“These partnerships have allowed us to serve more markets, develop new innovations, and become a one-stop resource for building envelope solutions.

“Each acquisition has also strengthened our customer network, project experience, and in-house expertise,” she reflects.

Kingspan also recently announced plans for a potential initial public offering (IPO) of ADVNSYS, the group’s advanced building systems segment, slated for Q1 2026.

KLA NA will subsequently be part of the division, contributing its full daylighting portfolio and integrated infrastructure offering.

“ADVNSYS is described by Kingspan as a world-leader in bespoke infrastructure for critical applications, primarily focusing on data centers, ventilation, and daylighting – including support services for other infrastructure such as water,” Bonham tells us.

With demand driven by artificial intelligence (AI)-related, data center-led infrastructure growth, ADVNSYS is poised for accelerated expansion.

More specifically, Kingspan plans to float 25 percent of ADVNSYS while retaining a 75 percent ownership stake following the IPO.

“We’re proud to be part of this next chapter and excited about the opportunities ahead to work as part of ADVNSYS, continuing to develop innovative solutions in this dynamic and fast-growing space.”

PLANET PASSIONATE

Aiming to have a long-term and far-reaching impact, KLA NA is proud to spearhead Planet Passionate – a 10-year global sustainability program with steadfast energy, circularity, and water usage targets.

“Through Kingspan’s Planet Passionate Communities initiative, we have supported more than 250 local projects worldwide, from tree planting and recycling drives to renewable energy installations for non-profit organizations,” Bonham prides.

So far, KLA NA’s teams have volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, hosted e-waste events, led neighborhood and beach clean-ups, organized clothing donation drives, and supported school gardening programs.

“The company has hosted a number of events, including an electronics recycling drive in its Lake Forest, Terrell (Texas), and Wausau (Wisconsin) facilities – which have collected over 1,000 pounds (lbs) of material; a shoe drive that provided more than 60 pairs of footwear to local groups in need; and area clean-ups at our Santa Ana and Vista locations that brought out more than 70 participants,” she details.

Additionally, the Solatube team in Vista, California recently joined a Planet Passionate clean-up, removing trash from sidewalks and greenspaces.

“They collected 676 lbs of waste – an effort that reflects our mission to not only bring natural light and fresh air indoors but help keep outdoor spaces clean and healthy for future generations.”

Elsewhere, KLA NA is also proud to support diversity in the construction industry, demonstrated by campaigns centered around building equity, whereby the company supports local charities, youth programs, and disaster relief while maintaining strong ethical sourcing and labor standards.

Bonham has also mentored women in the engineering industry and served as a judge for the European Women in Construction and Engineering (WICE) Awards.

DECARBONIZATION PROWESS

As part of its ongoing growth, KLA NA is working hard to decarbonize operations, with its three main manufacturing sites transitioning to renewable electricity to improve energy efficiency and reduce operational emissions.

For instance, the company’s Solatube facility in Vista produces, on average, approximately 1,323 megawatt-hours (MWh) of solar energy annually, while its Wausau and Lake Forest facilities generate around 171 MWh and 419 MWh respectively.

“These installations support our emissions reductions while helping meet operational energy demand with clean power,” Bonham highlights.

At the group level, Kingspan has reduced its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 61 percent in the last six years and has installed solar photovoltaic (PV) at 57 percent of its sites, aiming for 100 percent by 2030.

KLA NA, meanwhile, applies an internal carbon charge to accelerate decarbonization projects and continues to increase the use of recycled and low-embodied carbon materials.

“In our supply chain, we are working closely with key suppliers to improve embodied carbon data and emissions reporting. We’ve developed a data scorecard and offer access to training and tools to support supplier engagement and emissions reduction efforts,” she tells us.

Looking to the future, KLA NA is focused on expanding its product innovation, continuing to deliver value for its customers, and scaling sustainable practices.

This will be achieved by investing in lower-carbon materials, digital design tools, and renewable energy across its facilities.

The company likewise plans to grow its presence in sectors like education, life sciences, and technology manufacturing, helping clients meet their carbon goals through transparency and data tools such as EPDs.

“These are all part of our goal to make buildings healthier, smarter, and more sustainable,” Bonham concludes.

The post Kingspan Light + Air North America : Crafting Naturally Enhanced Environments appeared first on Construction Outlook.

A JOURNEY OF INNOVATION AND IMPACT

As a prominent construction management company known for its wide-ranging services, Turner Construction (Turner) has a strong presence in North America, delivering projects across various sectors including commercial, mission-critical facilities, public, healthcare, higher education, and aviation.

Emphasizing innovation, safety, and sustainability in its operations, Turner has made significant strides in prefabrication and technology adoption.

In addition, the company is committed to community partnerships and workforce development, ensuring projects positively impact the communities it serves.

Over the past year, Turner has continued to strengthen its presence across North America by successfully delivering major projects on time and with a focus on innovation, safety, and sustainability.

Recent notable milestones, such as advancing prefabrication capabilities, expanding in aviation and healthcare, and accelerating technology adoption, highlight Turner’s ongoing progress and commitment to innovation.

Turner has also reinforced its commitment to community partnerships and workforce development.

As the industry evolves through technology, lean construction practices, and a growing demand for sustainable solutions, Turner has teams in emerging markets such as data centers, mass timber, and affordable housing, while also embracing prefabrication and digital tools that are reshaping how it delivers projects.

In this dynamic environment, calculated risk is essential for growth; therefore, Turner ensures opportunities are evaluated through a rigorous process that balances clients’ needs, market trends, and operational strengths.

This proactive mindset has allowed the company to pursue bold projects, such as large-scale prefabrication, while ensuring the protection of its clients, partners, and workforce.

With an increasing emphasis on technology in the industry, Turner is leveraging cutting-edge advancements in xPL Offsite – a recently launched subsidiary that seeks to transform how construction is delivered – which will undoubtedly have a positive impact on future operations.

Incorporating state-of-the-art technology at the company’s xPL Offsite facility, such as advanced building information modeling (BIM) integration, robotics, and modular assembly systems, enables it to deliver higher-quality work with greater efficiency, reduce waste, and improve safety.

For those reasons, Turner sees off-site solutions as a game-changer that will redefine how projects are delivered in the coming years.

INNOVATING INFRASTRUCTURE

The Turner team is constantly innovating, as evidenced by the prefabricated terminal at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).

This was a landmark project for the company, highlighting its ability to efficiently deliver large-scale aviation infrastructure using prefabricated modules that reduced construction timelines and minimized disruption at an active airport.

The innovations implemented here will serve as a model for future aviation projects.

Another significant project is Turner’s work in Oakville, Canada with PowerON Energy Solutions, supporting Oakville Transit’s move to electrify its bus fleet and expand its garage facilities.

Playing a key role in this critical infrastructure upgrade, Turner is delivering construction that integrates the grid, site, charging facilities, and vehicle operations into a single seamless system.

This is a perfect example of how the company is evolving with the market as the project is deeply sustainable, aligning with zero-emission goals and helping reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) output within the public transit sphere.

Moreover, as the project demands tight integration across various disciplines such as electrical, civil, mechanical, and structural, Turner’s experience with lean construction processes and modular thinking is essential.

The company will use innovation and precision to ensure the infrastructure is futureproof, scalable, and built to support evolving electrification technologies.

Additionally, it is also continuing work on a National Dog Guide Training Center for the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides (LFCDG) in Oakville – an 89,000 square foot (sqft) facility with classrooms, training rooms, guest accommodations, and indoor and outdoor spaces.

This remarkable project demonstrates that the company’s role extends beyond construction as it is helping to deliver a facility that is entrenched in the community and has lasting social value.

Building on these successes, Turner is also establishing purposeful and strategic partnerships to pursue significant social infrastructure opportunities, including upcoming projects in the airport and healthcare sectors.

These partnerships are critical for expanding its reach, enhancing collaboration, and positioning the company to deliver transformative projects that strengthen communities and public services.

Together, these initiatives, along with Turner’s growing portfolio of astute pursuits, reflect how it is combining sustainability, social purpose, technical excellence, and innovation to build a better future in its own backyard.

DIVERSITY AND DEVELOPMENT

In addition to its innovative projects, Turner is making strategic investments in workforce development, technology platforms, and sustainability initiatives.

One of Turner’s most important priorities is its people, viewing workforce development as more than just training.

Rather, it’s about creating long-term career pathways and ensuring teams are ready to lead the industry into the future by expanding apprenticeship and mentorship programs and investing in leadership development at all levels.

Futhermore, the company is strengthening partnerships with schools, trade organizations, and community groups to cultivate a more diverse talent pipeline.

One notable example is Dreamer Day, a student empowerment event designed to motivate and encourage young women to dream big and explore exciting career opportunities in industries like construction.

Proud to sponsor Dreamer Day for the second consecutive year, Turner is engaging directly with students and playing a pivotal role in inspiring the next generation of leaders.

Through this initiative, the company is not only shaping individual aspirations but also contributing to a more inclusive and dynamic workforce for the future.

Another cornerstone of Turner’s workforce strategy is its partnership with the Afro Canadian Contractors Association (ACCA).

Together with ACCA, the company hosts the Turner School of Construction Management, which provides underrepresented business enterprises with the tools, training, and mentorship needed to grow and thrive in the construction industry.

This program strengthens the company’s supplier diversity and expands opportunities while building capacity across the market by managing its supply chain operations to ensure efficiency and reliability, recognizing that supplier relationships are imperative.

Turner emphasises collaboration and transparency with long-term suppliers as strong relationships are central to its success, especially in today’s volatile market where resilience and flexibility are critical.

Partnering closely with suppliers not only ensures consistency but also innovation and quality at every stage of a project, and investing in market intelligence helps clients and partners navigate changing conditions.

Each quarter, Turner’s Toronto business unit publishes its Toronto Market Conditions Report, which provides insights into construction cost trends, supply chain pressures, labor availability, and material pricing in the region.

This report supports informed decision-making and helps the company and its trade partners anticipate challenges before they affect projects.

Beyond data, the company’s relationships are built on trust and shared success as it engages suppliers early in the design and planning process, collaborates on prefabrication and lean logistics strategies, and fosters open communication throughout delivery.

This approach allows Turner to align goals, mitigate risks, and adapt quickly when market dynamics shift.

BUILDING TOMORROW

Looking ahead, Turner’s priorities for the coming year reflect its ongoing commitment to excellence, growth, and innovation.

The company’s top priority will always be the safety and well-being of people, and this commitment was recently recognized by the Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA) with a Safety Award, which honors member companies that demonstrate exceptional dedication to health and safety and achieve significant milestones without lost-time injuries (LTIs).

Turner continues to strengthen its ‘active caring’ approach by integrating wellness initiatives, encouraging proactive engagement, and reinforcing a culture where everyone takes responsibility for safety across all project teams.

Another of Turner’s priorities is expanding the business locally while driving a sustainable, long-term backlog.

That means deepening relationships with existing clients, pursuing new partnerships in core markets, and delivering exceptional value on every project to ensure repeat success.

It is also pursuing larger-scale, more complex projects that align with the company’s technical expertise and reinforce its reputation as an industry leader.

This includes opportunities that challenge Turner’s teams to innovate, collaborate, and deliver best-in-class solutions for clients.

Lastly, the company is growing its self-perform operations to add scope of work, particularly in its key sectors of data centers, healthcare, higher education, and affordable housing.

This expansion strengthens quality control, improves schedule certainty, and allows the company to bring even greater value to clients by leveraging its internal expertise.

Together, these priorities position Turner to deliver excellence safely, grow responsibly, and continue to lead with purpose within the markets it serves.

The post Turner Construction : A Journey of Innovation and Impact appeared first on Construction Outlook.

The largest data centre event in the world returns to London on 4–5 March for Data Centre World 2026, part of Tech Show London.

Join us to explore next-generation infrastructure, sustainable innovation and AI-optimised systems from over 300 leading suppliers – including Riello, Legrand, Schneider, ABB, Vertiv, Socomec, Rittal, AFL, Excool, Rehlko and more. Hear from global experts from organisations such as BCS, Linesight and BSI, sharing practical insight on efficiency, scalability and climate accountability.

Don’t miss the Data Centre World Awards, celebrating excellence across design, operations and sustainability.

The industry challenge: AI demand and rising energy costs are placing growing pressure on legacy systems. Uptime, efficiency and sustainability are now mission-critical.

How DCW helps: Explore modular design, renewable integration, advanced cooling technology and automation – practical solutions that reduce costs, cut emissions and build long-term resilience.

Your registration also includes access to Cloud & AI Infrastructure, Cloud & Cyber Security Expo, Big Data & AI World and DevOps Live – five connected events shaping the future of the digital economy.

Register today to secure your place:

The post Data Centre World / 4-5 March 2026 / London appeared first on Construction Outlook.

A POWERHOUSE OF POSSIBILITIES

At TMS-Redec, ‘do it once, do it right, do it safely’ is how we plan, execute, and hand back every job.”

This steadfast sentiment towards quality, safety, and successful outcomes – as stated by Nico Schoeman, Managing Executive of TMS-Redec – is evident in the company’s position as an industry stalwart in South Africa (SA).

Established in 1998, TMS-Redec is a turnkey industrial services provider to the energy, petrochemical, oil and gas, mining, marine, manufacturing, and construction sectors. The company’s core disciplines include everything from access scaffolding and abrasive blasting to high-pressure water jetting and asbestos removal, and much more.

“We operate nationally from Waterfall City in Midrand, with branches in Cape Town, Durban, Richards Bay, Sasolburg, and Secunda, as well as a regional footprint including Mozambique and Tanzania. We support leading brands across power, fuels, petrochemicals, mining, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG),” details Schoeman.

With a career at the intersection of complex operations and people-centred leadership, Schoeman initially trained as an engineer before moving into industrial services.

“What drew me to energy and utilities was the real-world impact – when you keep a refinery, mine, or power station running safely, you keep communities and economies moving,” he insights.

Currently, Schoeman views the energy and utilities industry as particularly exciting, as the South African power system is gradually stabilising but remains sensitive to shock, making high-quality maintenance and disciplined shutdown execution more critical than ever.

Simultaneously, mining is gaining momentum because when commodity prices strengthen, capital budgets unlock, thus driving infrastructure upgrades, enhanced maintenance routines, life-extension work, and larger, better-planned shutdown scopes.

TMS-Redec is also witnessing a drive towards clean fuels, which is catalysing capital projects. Meanwhile, many ageing petrochemical plants are facing heightened reliability and compliance pressures, translating into a greater need for integrated maintenance solutions.

“For us, that convergence makes this a demanding – and very exciting – time to deliver multi-discipline outcomes safely and at speed,” expands Schoeman.

MERGING TWO INDUSTRY GIANTS

TMS-Redec is a merged entity of the businesses formerly known as TMS Group Industrial Services and Redec Services and is a proud member of the Sekta Group – a company providing clients with a simple route to plan, execute, and commission projects through one aligned ecosystem, thus reducing interfaces and delivering safely at speed.

As part of Sekta Group, the company integrates the planning, commissioning, and construction capabilities for end-to-end delivery with fewer interfaces.

This merger consolidated deep capability sets, from heavy-duty industrial cleaning and access to coatings, corrosion protection, and specialist repairs. It also provided the platform for an expanded services offering and geographic reach into Africa.

“This union simplified contracting for clients by delivering more disciplines under one accountable partner with common systems, supervision, and reporting,” informs Schoeman.

TMS-Redec continues to differentiate itself from the competition through this unique and powerful merger alongside other factors.

Notably, the company’s position as a frontline solutions partner allows it to work shoulder-to-shoulder with site teams to diagnose root causes and design fit-for-purpose methods. It consistently leads with innovative approaches, bringing new solutions to old problems. From alternative access strategies and accelerated surface-prep to specialised linings and catalyst-handling methodologies, TMS-Redec is always aligned with safety and schedule.

Equally, the company prioritises safety and quality in every activity it undertakes. It boasts ISO-aligned integrated management systems, governance planning, risk, and close-out across every discipline.

This aligns with TMS-Redec’s emphasis on empowerment and local value. The company is a Level 1 broad-based Black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) contributor, 100 percent black-owned, and 51 percent black women-owned.

Most importantly, the company highlights its culture.

“We care for our people, work on management visibility, and have a ‘we all go home safely’ mindset evident in disciplined planning, clean worksites, and incident-free execution,” prides Schoeman.

MAKING WAVES IN INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE

TMS-Redec expertly specialises in shutdowns, general outages, large-scale maintenance, and projects where schedule control, multi-trade coordination, and safe execution are non-negotiable.

“Our teams deliver scaffolding, access, and alternative access solutions at scale and apply coatings with precision and insulation with perfection,” details Schoeman.

“We execute complex catalyst change-outs – including inert and continuous monitoring environments – whilst performing high-pressure water jetting, vacuumation, chemical cleaning, the application of specialised floor and tank linings, and structural repairs to extend asset life.”

By doing all of this under one contractor, plan, and quality system, it consistently shortens outages and improves hand-back certainty, making TMS-Redec the partner of choice for many.

The company’s industry-leading expertise is also evident in the recent projects it has undertaken.

Within the petrochemical sector, the company conducted an insulation remove-and-replace on a 97-metre-tall vessel using Layher® access scaffolding system, delivering a two-and-a-half-month schedule improvement over prior project performance.

Additionally, the company delivers twice-yearly catalyst changeouts under inert atmosphere conditions for several consecutive years whilst maintaining an incident-free safety record throughout.

“We have a multi-year track record of successful boiler outage execution, achieving a consistent combined downtime reduction of up to four days per event through the use of Layher® access scaffolding systems and suspended access solutions, achieving a multi-million Rand benefit to the client,” informs Schoeman.

Another snapshot of TMS-Redec’s range is its work on new boilers. Specifically, as the scaffolding and insulation partner for three new boilers for a petrochemical client, enabling a shift away from coal-derived steam – a strategic move to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with the project expected to cut imported coal steam to zero and reduce carbon footprint.

KEEPING CRITICAL INDUSTRIES WORKING

TMS-Redec is proud to assist the critical and core industries that play a vital role in SA’s sustainability and well-being.

“Our purpose is to keep critical industry working – safely and reliably. We translate that purpose into measurable outcomes for power, fuel and petrochemical, mining, and manufacturing operators,” impassions Schoeman.

The company upholds this role through various means, most notably by its uptime and resilience, asset integrity and life extension, people and environmental protection, energy transition readiness, local value and skills, and partnerships and continuous improvement.

Specifically, its partnerships and continuous improvement involve a frontline solutions approach, with root-cause analysis, fit-for-purpose methods, and close-out learnings, all of which compound reliability gains over successive outages.

Equally as important to TMS-Redec’s reputation as an industry leader is how it treats its team members.

“Our people are our edge. We invest in formal certifications, on-the-job mentorship, and supervisory development,” explains Schoeman.

The company recognises excellence with visible leadership engagement on sites and ‘safety moments’ that celebrate proactive hazard identification. It is most excited about its graduate internship programme, which has yielded a 68 percent conversion to permanent employment over the past six years, lifting the company’s competency levels, creating opportunities for qualified professionals to enter the industry, and underpinning succession planning.

“The result is confidence, careers, and – most importantly – sustained improved service delivery,” concludes Schoeman.

As TMS-Redec continues to look towards an ever-successful future, it is prioritising reliability partnerships, selective regional growth, capability deepening, and talent pipeline and transformation – ultimately allowing it to retain its well-earned and time-proven status as a game-changer in the energy and utilities industry.

The post TMS-Redec : A Powerhouse of Possibilities appeared first on Construction Outlook.

A CITY OF CONNECTION AND WELL-BEING

The real estate development market in Mauritius has seen a major upward trajectory in recent decades, driven by a stable political environment, growing demand for next-generation residential and commercial developments, and increasing interest from foreign investors.

Taking the sector one step further into a new age is Cap Tamarin, a 44-hectare mixed-use development and collaborative city located on the west coast of the island.

Cap Tamarin represents the beating heart of Western Mauritius, conceived as a walkable, human-scale city that allows residents to live, work, study, and play all within a five-minute radius.

Indeed, the development’s ecosystem brings together residential neighbourhoods, commercial spaces, schools, healthcare, sports, and leisure facilities – all seamlessly integrated within a lively coastal environment that celebrates community and quality of life.

“As a collaborative city, Cap Tamarin was co-created with a network of best-in-class partners we call our ‘Champions’. Each plays a strategic role in shaping a vibrant, self-sustaining lifestyle ecosystem that makes everyday life here streamlined, convenient, and inspiring,” introduces Yannick Louison, CEO – Real Estate.

As such, the project’s success has been built from key partnerships in the areas of education, health, sports, well-being, retail, and lifestyle.

“Together, our Champions represent the core pillars of modern urban life, all harmoniously integrated within the city. Their presence ensures Cap Tamarin functions not merely as a neighbourhood, but as a self-contained city designed for connection and well-being,” he elaborates.

The development welcomes a vast range of clients, from Mauritian families and young professionals to a growing community of expatriates and international investors seeking secure, lifestyle-focused property opportunities.

“Collectively, they form a diverse and connected community that truly lives the Cap Tamarin philosophy of smart, sustainable, and happy living.”

PURPOSEFUL ORIGINS

The story of Cap Tamarin is deeply rooted in the legacy of the Jhuboo family, whose entrepreneurial spirit, integrity, and sense of purpose have long guided their contribution to Mauritius’ progress.

“At the heart of that legacy stands the late Dr Seewoosunkur Jhuboo, a respected physician, humanitarian, and community leader remembered for his compassion, discipline, and commitment to improving the lives of others,” Yannick shares.

“His philosophy, centred on service, respect, and excellence, shaped the values his sons would carry forward in their own endeavours.”

Inspired by their father’s example, the Jhuboo brothers founded Trimetys Group in 1998, guided by the conviction that hard work, responsibility, and integrity should underpin every enterprise.

Their journey began with Le Poulet Fermier, the family’s first company and a pioneer in local poultry farming – the foundation upon which the brothers would later build a group spanning education, hospitality, and real estate.

“Each new venture reflects the family’s long-term vision of creating opportunity, nurturing communities, and delivering tangible value to Mauritian life,” Yannick expands.

It is this same philosophy that inspired the creation of Cap Tamarin, whereby the spirit of integrity endures under the leadership of the Jhuboo family.

“Through sustainable urban planning, responsible construction, and partnerships with trusted Champions across education, healthcare, sport, and retail, Cap Tamarin continues to grow as a self-sustaining, inclusive, and forward-looking community – a tribute to Dr Jhuboo’s enduring influence and values.”

AN IMPORTANT BLUEPRINT

At the core of Cap Tamarin’s collaborative approach is the Masterplan, a blueprint for a truly next-generation urban community that evolves organically, adapts to the needs of its residents, and continues to create long-term socioeconomic value.

The Masterplan has been structured into four progressive layers that set out a roadmap for the development, each designed to strengthen the foundations of a complete, connected city.

First is the project’s core anchors – comprising a school, health clinic, sports club, public park, co-working spaces, and shopping centres like La Place Cap Tamarin – which form the heart of the community.

Complementing these anchors is a cultural layer that reflects the unmistakable spirit of Tamarin.

“Our park and public spaces are designed to bring people together to gather, create, and connect – from open air concerts and community festivals to everyday moments shared outdoors.

“Building on initiatives such as the Bridge Tamarin Eco-Arts Festival and Happy Sakili, Cap Tamarin continues to champion local talent and joyful, inclusive events,” Yannick prides.

This creative spirit comes alive through collaborations with Mauritian artists, whose murals and installations add colour, storytelling, and a distinctly west coast flair to the neighbourhood.

Together, these experiences celebrate the area’s natural creativity and deepen the community’s sense of belonging.

“These core anchors make the city immediately liveable and demonstrate that our vision is not a concept, but a reality that’s already thriving,” Yannick emphasises.

The second phase of the Masterplan is Cap Tamarin’s immediate growth, the next phase of which will see the launch of the Financial Hub – positioning the development as the economic and business centre of the west coast.

Cap Tamarin Beach Club, a high-end social and leisure destination, will also soon be launched as part of the development’s growth.

Cap Tamarin will cement this cultural vision through a dedicated Centre for the Arts. This project is being developed as a public-private partnership to ensure long-term sustainability and broad community access.

A plot of land has already been reserved within the city for this purpose, reinforcing Cap Tamarin’s commitment to culture, education, the environment, and community well-being.

“Together, these projects will balance professional and lifestyle appeal, attracting entrepreneurs, investors, and residents seeking work-life integration,” he highlights.

Between 2026 and 2030, the third pillar of Cap Tamarin’s Masterplan will focus on the expansion of its ecosystem with new educational institutions, a wellness hub, boutique hotels, senior residences, and an iconic mixed-use building.

“Each addition enhances the diversity of experiences within the city, ensuring it caters to every generation and stage of life.”

Finally, Cap Tamarin’s long-term vision is to be recognised as Mauritius’ first truly urban coastal city – a benchmark for sustainable development, inclusion, and smart living in the Indian Ocean.

“By blending walkability, green infrastructure, and community engagement, we’re shaping a city designed not just for today, but the decades ahead,” Yannick affirms.

Indeed, Cap Tamarin’s human-centric approach drives the Masterplan’s innovation, with each phase being guided by three core principles of sustainability, inclusivity, and connectivity.

“Through this structure, Cap Tamarin is becoming a living model of smart urbanism – a city that grows responsibly, nurtures community, and continues to inspire confidence amongst residents, partners, and investors,” he reflects.

EMPOWERING PARTNERS

Collaboration is undeniably fundamental to Cap Tamarin’s success.

“From the very beginning, we envisioned a city that not only serves its residents but also empowers partners, businesses, and investors to grow within a shared ecosystem of trust and innovation,” Yannick divulges.

Cap Tamarin attracts collaborators by building long-term value propositions rather than short-term opportunities, as evidenced by the comprehensive approach of its Masterplan which unifies and reinforces education, health, sports, retail, and business sectors, generating sustained activity.

Collaboration is therefore integral to Cap Tamarin’s Champion model as it doesn’t just simply lease space – it co-creates with leading brands and operators who share the development’s values of quality, sustainability, and community well-being.

Key partners are brought into each project well in advance through an early contractor involvement (ECI) model. Cap Tamarin was the first company in Mauritius to adopt this procurement approach, which has since been integrated into local procurement practices.

This model fosters stronger collaboration, ensures more accurate and efficient cost control, and enables projects to be delivered on time and within budget – ultimately contributing to a complete, seamless, and thriving city experience.

Cap Tamarin’s collaborative ethos also extends to its investors, whereby it ensures transparency, clear returns, and tangible value through prime locations, strong demand, and thoughtful urban design that enhances asset appreciation.

Designed as an open and connected community, the development’s neighbourhood and services extend well beyond its borders – supporting the neighbouring village of Tamarin, Black River district, and Western Mauritius, making it a genuine hub of activity, connection, and opportunity.

“We attract collaborators and investors in the same way we build – through authentic partnerships, proven performance, and a shared belief in sustainable, long-term growth.

“Cap Tamarin offers not just real estate, but a rare opportunity to help shape the future of urban life on the west coast of Mauritius,” Yannick reflects.

NEXT-GENERATION URBAN COMMUNITY

In order to keep building on its mission of facilitating an exceptional quality of life, Cap Tamarin has a range of forward-thinking projects both nearing completion and in the pipeline.

At the forefront is O’Patio, a collection of 72 thoughtfully designed apartments arranged around a beautiful interior garden, creating a calm, green space that promotes neighbourly interaction and well-being.

“Marking an important milestone, the residential project was conceived as an inclusive, community-driven development offering quality homes at accessible prices – starting at just MUR3.6 million.

“This opens doors for many families who would otherwise be unable to afford high-standard housing in such a desirable market, where prices are usually much higher,” Yannick explains.

Also nearing completion are a public park and H57, an ultramodern office building that offers modular, flexible workspaces ranging from 25 to 630 square metres (sqm) designed to meet the needs of modern professionals.

“Together, these projects reflect our mission to build a vibrant, inclusive, and self-sustaining urban ecosystem that meets the evolving needs of modern living,” he insights.

Elsewhere, Cap Tamarin’s Villas A’loès will be home to a boutique enclave of 14 premium four-bedroom villas, each combining elegant architecture, private pools, and lush landscaping.

To date, six villas have been delivered, six are nearing completion, and one final unit remains available for sale.

Beyond O’Patio, H57, and Villas A’loès, Cap Tamarin is particularly excited about Zetwal, a new residential development of 33 apartments and duplexes designed to suit diverse lifestyles.

True to Cap Tamarin’s ‘à taille humaine’ philosophy, Zetwal is a small-scale, people-focused development centred around community living and proximity to key amenities – creating a warm, connected, and convenient neighbourhood experience.

Another key development is the upcoming Financial Hub, created in partnership with a leading finance company.

“Designed to serve as a centre for business, innovation, and entrepreneurship on the west coast, the hub will attract companies, start-ups, and professionals seeking a modern, flexible workspace environment seamlessly integrated into the vibrant urban fabric of Cap Tamarin.”

SHAPING THE CITY CENTRE OF THE FUTURE

Going forward, Cap Tamarin’s main priority is to continue shaping the future city centre of Tamarin with a strong focus on residential, commercial, and office spaces, creating a vibrant urban heart where people can live, work, and thrive.

With over 100,000 sqm of land still to be developed, its other goals for the coming year include expanding its network of partners and operators.

“We are constantly looking for passionate Champions and industry specialists to bring expertise in areas such as healthcare, education, hospitality, wellness, sports, gastronomy, and culture,” Yannick reveals.

“We firmly believe the success of Cap Tamarin lies in trusting the right experts to shape exceptional experiences. Our role is to create the framework – a well-designed city – where these specialists can elevate the way we live.”

Additionally, the city will focus on elevating everyday life by integrating thoughtfully designed public spaces, walkable streets, sustainability, and smart solutions, whilst also strengthening its community-first vision.

“What makes the development special is that it has been built for everyone – Mauritians, expatriates, young professionals, families, and retirees.

“We have created a true community where daily life unfolds seamlessly, naturally, and sustainably. That inclusivity and authenticity are what truly set Cap Tamarin apart,” Yannick concludes.

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