Uptown Tower in Dubai Wins Big at 2024 Awards of Excellence

DMCC’s Uptown Tower in Dubai, UAE has earned three prestigious accolades at this year’s Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat Awards of Excellence led by Design-Builder BESIX. Uptown Tower, an integral part of Dubai’s skyline, reflects DMCC’s strategic vision to enhance the architectural landscape of Dubai and set new standards in smart, sustainable urban planning. For BESIX, the tower marks a significant milestone in its ongoing effort to transform the construction landscape, ensuring the integration of aesthetic appeal with environmental responsibility. Awards received Best Tall Building by Height (300 meters and above) Best Tall Building by Region (Middle East … Read more

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Renovations Begin on Central Office of Austrian Pension Fund in Vienna

After more than 40 years of operation in Friedrich-Hillegeist-Straße in Vienna, Austria’s second district, the central and regional Viennese offices of the Austrian Pension Fund and the Centre for Outpatient Rehabilitation are undergoing extensive renovation due to signs of aging, such as leaking ceilings or poor thermal insulation. The technical services will be brought up to date and the building will be given an insulation retrofit, with particular attention paid to establishing an ecologically sustainable energy supply. PVA decided not to demolish the building and construct a new one, but to build on the existing structures as much as possible. … Read more

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General Fusion Opens New State-of-the-Art Headquarters

General Fusion recently opened its new headquarters, which serves as the company’s main office and laboratory space at its state-of-the-art fusion campus, which spans three buildings in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. The new, expanded space supports General Fusion’s goal to deliver clean fusion energy to the grid by the early to mid-2030s using the company’s practical Magnetized Target Fusion technology. Design, architecture and engineering services were provided by Stantec, and Wales McLelland Construction served as general contractor. The emphasis for this project was centered around creating a sustainable design for an energy-efficient future, including the facility’s research and development laboratories. … Read more

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Elisabeth-Selbert-Haus Tapped for German Parliament in Berlin

New offices and an administrative building for the German Parliament will be built on one of Berlin’s most historic streets by the end of 2026 to replace the demolished building. The sustainable concept envisages the use of alternative energies, such as geothermal energy and photovoltaics. PORR was awarded the contract as general contractor for the project by the Institute for Federal Real Estate. The building is named after the politician and lawyer Elisabeth Selbert, who is known as one of the four “Mothers of the Basic Law.” She successfully campaigned for the inclusion of equal rights for men and women … Read more

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Construction Costs Set to Increase by 3-6% in 2024

U.S. construction costs are set to increase by 3-6% in 2024, following an average increase of 4% in 2023. Cost escalation will challenge construction firms, which will need to develop new processes and capabilities to keep costs under control and projects on track. The findings are shared in How to navigate 2024: Balancing challenge with opportunity, a report published by Currie & Brown. The company also forecasts significant variation in cost escalation between major cities. For example, construction costs in Chicago, Illinois are predicted to rise 3.5% in 2024, compared to 6% in Phoenix, Arizona. This means that a $10-million … Read more

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