Must see: 57-story modular skyscraper was completed in 19 days

With the use of modular pieces, Chinese builder BSB completed a 57-floor mixed-use tower in just 19 days, saying that “three floors in a day is China’s new normal.”

Inhabitat names it “the world’s tallest prefab tower.” Official pictures and a statement are yet to be released.

The tower, called Mini Sky City, is located in Changsha, in the Southeastern Chinese province of Hunan. It is part of the Sky City complex which is to include a 220-story tall skyscraper at 2,749 feet, but is yet to be completed,

According to Sploid, the construction company used 2 million-sf worth of modular blocks they manufactured themselves that are energy efficient. The tightly sealed blocks ensure an efficient use of HVAC systems, as well as protection from outside pollution.

A representative of the company told Sploid "that the use of modules reduced the use of concrete by 15,000 trucks, [which] almost eliminated all the release of dust in the air."

Mini Sky City has 19 atriums that are 33 feet tall each. It has the office space capacity for 4,000 employees, as well as residential units for 800 households.

Contractors | Jun 4, 2024

Contractors expect to spend more time on prefabrication, according to FMI study

Get ready for a surge in prefabrication activity by contractors. FMI, the consulting and investment banking firm, recently polled contractors about how much time they were spending, in craft labor hours, on prefabrication for construction projects. More than 250 contractors participated in the survey, and the average response to that question was 18%. More revealing, however, was the participants’ anticipation that craft hours dedicated to prefab would essentially double, to 34%, within the next five years.

Building Tech | May 21, 2024

In a world first, load-bearing concrete walls built with a 3D printer

A Germany-based construction engineering company says it has constructed the world’s first load-bearing concrete walls built with a 3D printer. Züblin built a new warehouse from a single 3D print for Strabag Baumaschinentechnik International in Stuttgart, Germany using a Putzmeister 3D printer.

Park House 2.0 adaptive reuse project exterior rendering

Adaptive Reuse | May 15, 2024

Modular adaptive reuse of parking structure grants future flexibility

The shift away from excessive parking requirements aligns with a broader movement, encouraging development of more sustainable and affordable housing.