Sources: SHVO, New York City; CP staff Transamerica Pyramid Center, an historic block on the northern edge of the San Francisco Financial District with architectural precast concrete centerpiece, reopened earlier this month following a $1 billion dollar investment by Deutsche Finance and developer SHVO. Long a symbol of resilience and architectural ingenuity, the 853-ft. Transamerica Pyramid and adjacent Two and…
Read MoreDay: September 16, 2024
After the Artificial Intelligence Crash
What ready mixed concrete jobs will look like after the AI bubble pops. Economic booms and subsequent busts, especially those associated with innovation, have been a part of history for centuries. So what should we expect as the wax (hype) starts to wane for generative artificial intelligence (AI) powered by large language models a la ChatGPT? The likely answers will…
Read MoreThe Fed Easing Is Already Impacting Housing
Fed Chairman Jay Powell’s remarks at the very exclusive Jackson Hole Economic Symposium in August signaled the Fed’s forthcoming action to reduce rates, starting in September. But even before that, in a sign that homebuyers sensed what was coming, sales of new homes rose unexpectedly in July, following significant revisions in the previous month’s data. Sales of newly built, single-family…
Read MoreEnergy Department powers promotion of low carbon construction materials
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) authors’ recognition of technology transfer hurdles and risk-averse specification tendencies in construction is evident in a slew of U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office and National Laboratories initiatives supporting low carbon materials awareness and procurement. The DOE Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO) is eyeing a National Laboratory-led Cement and Concrete Center of Excellence to accelerate…
Read MoreNSSGA sets interim leadership plan to follow CEO Johnson’s exit
Source: National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, Alexandria, Va. National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association Executive Vice President Michele Stanley will be interim chief executive officer upon the mid-October departure of Michael Johnson, who has served as president and CEO for 11 years and will maintain those titles in a November 1 transition to the American Coatings Association, Washington, D.C. …
Read MoreBesser grasps new automation offerings in Slab Innovation deal
Sources: Besser Co., Alpena, Mich.; CP staff Besser has added concrete masonry building or hardscape unit and pallet handling automation capabilities, acquiring the assets of St. Hubert, Quebec-based Slab Innovation. An early-September transaction formalized the next step in a strategic alliance netting successful completion of many joint plant projects throughout North America since 2017. “It’s fitting that in the same…
Read MoreEnergy efficiency-driven ASHRAE certifies first Decarbonization Professionals
Sources: ASHRAE, Atlanta; CP staff The organization behind the most widely adopted building energy efficiency and mechanical systems standards has announced an inaugural cohort of 64 Certified Decarbonization Professionals (CDP). ASHRAE’s newest certification validates candidates’ competency to assess, analyze, and develop effective and sustainable strategies to reduce or eliminate the life-cycle carbon footprint of new or existing buildings. “Decarbonization is…
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