NEW YORK, N.Y. — FieldLens — a mobile technology designed for the construction industry — announced a total seed investment of $1.925 million.   FieldLens will use this investment to continue developing a communication platform providing construction industry personnel real-time mobile access to all critical jobsite data, saving the industry an estimated $40 billion in costs wasted from inefficient communication. Brad Svrluga of High Peaks Venture Partners said, “The construction industry is sitting on the front edge of a powerful transformation, as ubiquitous smartphone penetration creates opportunity to completely change how communication, task management and data collection happens in the … Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Design-Build Institute of America recently announced the winners of its National Design-Build Project Awards. The 2012 awards program was the most competitive to date and this year's submissions were rigorously judged by a distinguished panel composed exclusively of owners and DBIAâ„¢ professionals. The awards competition recognizes the achievements of owners and design-build teams in 10 categories, including the healthcare sector. To be considered for a prize, a project must have been completed on time and on budget. The jury examined each submission for demonstrated use of DBIA best practices. DBIA best practices include flexibility in blending … Read more

The Associated General Contractors of America will continue to provide fall protection safety training next year thanks to a federal safety grant the association is being awarded. The association will use the $120,000 Susan Harwood Training Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to offer the fall protection safety training designed to prevent potentially fatal falls among construction workers, officials said. “Nothing is more important to our members than the safety of every construction worker,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association's chief executive officer. “The expanded program will help give construction workers the training they need to remain safe on … Read more

SEATTLE, Wash. —The new federal courthouse in Billings, Mont. is open for business following 27 months of design and construction. According to the U.S. General Services Administration, which manages real estate and property for the federal government, the design-build project team of Mortenson Construction and NBBJ established a new benchmark for the fastest delivery of a modern federal courthouse. The formal building opening and dedication is scheduled for September 18. “The successful design and construction process of the Billings courthouse underscores the value and efficiency of our lean design-build process,” said Jim Yowan, Vice President, Mortenson Construction. The expedited design … Read more