Industrial Construction Trends

Industrial Construction Trends in 2023

When you are running a business, the industry that you are in will cycle through trends as time goes by. This is also true of construction, though some may think that is not possible, as there is already a “best way” to build.

Construction also sees trends come and go, and many of these trends focus on processes and making a job site safer and the construction process more efficient, for instance. Unlike some other industries, the trends in construction are not just aesthetic trends. There are advancements in construction technologies, and finding ways to be more energy efficient and focused on green building.

Read on to learn more about some of the construction industry trends that we are seeing emerge for industrial construction in the year 2023. 

Prefabrication or Modular Building

Our first of the construction industry trends is Prefab or modular construction is where parts of a building are put together off-site and then transported to the job site once they are assembled.

Modular construction is gaining popularity as this is something that can reduce construction costs and help to save time, as it can be done off-site in conjunction with other things happening actually at the construction site. It is like your team is doing double duty!

Prefabrication, or modular building or modular construction as it is also called, is something that can be more environmentally friendly, too. When parts of a building are put together this way, there is less waste, which is eco-friendly but can also help construction firms cut down construction spending on material costs!

Here are the construction industry trends in modular building that continue evolving:

1. Sustainable and eco-friendly materials: With growing concerns about climate change and environmental impact, modular builders are increasingly using sustainable and eco-friendly materials, such as cross-laminated timber (CLT), recycled steel, and bio-based insulation materials.
2. Smart and energy-efficient technologies: Modular buildings are being designed with smart technology and energy-efficient systems, including solar panels, green roofs, smart HVAC systems, and LED lighting. These new technologies help reduce energy consumption, lower utility bills, and contribute to overall sustainability goals.
3. Customization and flexibility: As modular building techniques improve, there is a growing trend toward customization and flexibility in design. This allows clients to create buildings that meet their specific needs, including unique architectural elements, custom floor plans, and adaptable spaces.
4. Multi-story and high-rise modular construction: While modular buildings were once primarily single-story structures, advancements in technology and engineering have led to the development of multi-story and high-rise modular buildings. This trend is particularly evident in urban areas where space is limited, and vertical construction is necessary to accommodate population growth.
5. Popularity in various sectors: Modular construction is becoming popular in diverse sectors, including residential, commercial, healthcare, hospitality, and education. This trend is driven by the various benefits of modular building, such as reduced construction time and cost, and increased quality control.
6. Integration of Building Information Modeling (BIM): BIM software enables architects, engineers, and builders to collaborate in a virtual environment, streamlining the design and construction process. The use of BIM in modular construction helps to reduce errors and minimize waste, leading to more efficient projects.
7. Expansion of offsite construction facilities: As the demand for modular buildings increases, there has been a growth in the number of offsite construction facilities worldwide. This expansion allows for greater production capacity and further innovation in modular construction techniques.

Virtual Design Technology

The industrial construction sector is seeing lots of technology implemented in different ways and for different purposes.

By and large, though, it helps speed up processes and make the company more efficient. Virtual design technologies are a valuable way to visualize a building or job site before work has even begun on the ground.

Faulty or incorrect buildings are about 30% of construction companies costs, so by eliminating potential issues by using a virtual design technology, construction companies can cut costs and save money— and valuable time and manpower on their construction project too!

There are many kinds of virtual design technologies that a construction company could use for this purpose.

Tech Solutions For Safety

Technology can also be used in industrial construction to increase job site and your construction workers safety. Safety is always a top priority in the construction industry, and there is an increasing focus on using technology to enhance safety on construction sites.This is very important, as the construction sites can be a dangerous one!

This can include smart technology that can pinpoint safety hazards on the job, but it can also include tech solutions that have been used to improve construction safety equipment.

An example of this is a wearable technology like a safety helmet that uses a suspension system to absorb and direct impact away from the neck and head in the case of a fall! Or other wearable technology and sensors that monitor worker safety and prevent accidents.

Sustainability

Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important trend in the construction industry, as builders and designers look for ways to reduce the environmental impact and improve energy efficiency of their construction projects. Here are some sustainable trends in the construction industry:

1. Green building materials: Green buildings are a growing trend towards using environmentally friendly building materials, such as recycled materials, sustainably harvested wood, and low-emission insulation.
2. Net-zero buildings: Net-zero buildings are designed to produce as much energy as they consume over the course of a year, through the use of renewable energy sources such as solar panels and wind turbines. This can help reduce carbon emissions and energy costs.
3. Passive design: Passive design involves designing buildings that are energy-efficient and require minimal heating and cooling. This includes features such as high-performance insulation, efficient windows, and natural ventilation.
4. Water conservation: Water conservation is becoming a major focus in the construction industry, with a focus on using low-flow fixtures, rainwater harvesting systems, and efficient irrigation systems to reduce water consumption.
5. Building reuse and renovation: There is a growing trend towards reusing and renovating existing buildings, rather than tearing them down and building new ones. This can help reduce waste and energy consumption, while preserving historic buildings and neighborhoods.

Overall, green construction and sustainability is becoming an increasingly important trend in the construction industry, as builders and designers look for ways to reduce the environmental impact of their projects and create more sustainable buildings and communities.

3D Printing

3D printing is another tech solution that has been making significant strides in the construction industry. This innovative technology has the potential to revolutionize traditional construction methods by reducing costs, waste, and construction time while increasing customization and sustainability. It can be used to print with different materials, such as concrete fibre, or geopolymers. 3D printing can be used with biodegradable innovative materials like mud or straw, too.

Typically, only the frame and walls of a structure can be created with the 3D printing method at this time. It can be considered off site construction by using advanced construction robotics.

3D printing is a big time saver for the construction industry and can reduce construction timelines by up to 75%. It is also more inexpensive than traditional construction materials.

Here are some trends in 3D printing construction that have been emerging and are likely to continue:

1. Rapid prototyping: 3D printing allows architects, engineers, and builders to quickly create scaled-down prototypes of building components or entire structures. This helps in testing and refining designs before actual construction, reducing errors, and minimizing waste.
2. Onsite 3D printing: As 3D printing technology advances, it is becoming more feasible to print building components or even entire structures onsite. This can help to reduce transportation costs, minimize environmental impact, and speed up construction time.
3. Customization: One of the significant advantages of 3D printing is the ability to create highly customized designs that cater to individual needs and preferences. This can lead to more unique and functional living spaces, tailored to the needs of occupants.
4. Low-cost housing: 3D printing has the potential to drastically reduce the cost of construction, making it an attractive option for creating affordable housing. This could help address the global housing crisis and provide homes to those in need.
5. Disaster relief and remote construction: 3D printing can be a valuable tool in disaster-stricken areas or remote locations with limited access to construction resources. It enables the rapid construction of temporary shelters or even permanent structures using local materials.
6. Use of sustainable and recycled materials: 3D printing can utilize a variety of materials, including sustainable and recycled options such as bio-based plastics, recycled concrete, and locally-sourced earth. This contributes to a more environmentally friendly construction process.
7. Large-scale 3D printing: The development of large-scale 3D printers capable of constructing entire buildings or infrastructure components is becoming a reality. This can lead to the creation of more complex and innovative structures that were previously challenging to build using traditional methods.
8. Integration with robotics and automation: Combining 3D printing technology with robotics and automation can further streamline the construction process, making it more efficient, accurate, and less reliant on manual labor.

As 3D printing technology continues to advance and become more widely adopted, it is expected to play an increasingly significant role in shaping the future of the construction industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the future construction industry trends?

When it comes to the construction industry, there are trends that come and go with time, just like in any other industry!

Some of the trends that are emerging in the construction industry include tech, such as IoT, prefabrication, and smart operations.

With the leaps and bounds that we have achieved in technology, a lot of the emerging trends in the construction industry are technology based. It is important to try and utilize technology to better achieve construction goals and to make job sites safer, too. 

What is the trend for construction tech in 2023?

In the construction industry, we are seeing a lot of trends that are related to construction tech.

Essentially, construction tech is the technological advances and products that are utilized in the construction industry to achieve things such as improving efficiency or improving worker safety. For 2023, it is clear that construction tech is the way forward and is the way that the construction industry is going to be able to grow.

There are many trends for construction tech that we will see in the coming year. The strongest of these trends include drones, 3D paving, robots, and telematics. The companies that implement these construction tech trends will see a lot of success in 2023. 

What is the outlook for the construction industry in Canada in 2023?

If you are in the construction industry, it is important that you pay attention to trends, but also to where the industry seems to be going in the future. Is it growing or shrinking?

Are there any concerns or struggles within the sector that are beginning to arise? All of these are important questions to ask yourself and keep an eye on. It helps you to be prepared and to then make strategic business choices!

Luckily, in Canada, the construction industry is doing well. Beginning in 2023, the industry is expected to grow at an AAGR of over 2%, and this estimate is for the years 2023 to 2026. The outlook for construction and construction companies in Canada is a positive one!

What is the future of the construction industry in Canada?

One of the keys to long-term success in any industry is to be sure to look to the future. You should also stay knowledgeable about your industry or sector. When it comes to construction, then, you may wonder what the future holds, especially in Canada if your business operates here.

The construction industry is supposed to grow in Canada, and there are some trends that are expected to emerge in the coming year.

These trends are largely related to construction tech, so think drones, robots, and smart operations, for starters. In relation to growth, the industry is expected to grow at an AAGR of a little over 2% in the next few years. The country’s construction output is also expected to reach CAD 232,243.2 million by the year 2026!