Innovations in the built environment

In ISEP’s latest edition of Transform, Chris Seekings Deputy Editor, examines three technological innovations that are transforming the construction sector, helping to slash waste, energy use and emissions while boosting companies’ bottom line.

Firstly he describes the award-winning SmartViz platform which has been helping UK organisations optimise building performance, energy efficiency and user experience since 2022. It works by installing low-cost sensors and generating insights through its analytics platform, allowing sustainability professionals to understand how building spaces are actually used, pinpoint inefficiencies and predict future trends.

CEO Dr Shrikant Sharma said “Our work with clients has shown that in many cases as much as 50% of gas and electricity is being used when buildings are unoccupied. Once we connect our platform with building data and occupancy monitoring sensors, it starts generating real-time insights for owners and operators, enabling better decisions and driving major transformation.”

Secondly, increasing number of companies are using drones fixed cameras, and 360° walkthroughs to digitally track progress, reduce safety risks, improve efficiency, monitor workforce movement and determine surface insights. One such company Evercam, has an advanced construction site monitoring platform which uses drones to capture aerial images that are transformed into high-resolution orthomosaic maps and 3D models that allow project teams to track earthworks and understand changing site conditions.

Evercam’s solutions are helping developers reduce waste and energy use while building more efficient practices into daily site operations, helping with certifications such as LEED and BREEAM. They claim they can cut site visits by 15% to 50%, with major contractors such as Skanska saving more than 200 site visits per year on large projects, which translates to 15-20 tonnes of CO₂ emissions avoided annually.

Finally,  one of the most impactful technological advancements for sustainability in the construction sector in recent years has been the huge improvement in carbon accounting tools.  Morgan Sindall, who deliver some of the UK’s most complex and critical infrastructure, has developed an in-house, whole-life carbon reduction tool called CarboniCa. Unlike others on the market that just measure emissions, it also highlights carbon-intensive building and infrastructure elements before suggesting lower-carbon alternatives.

It has been reported that in Morgan Sindall’s construction division alone, CarboniCa has captured savings of more than 57,000tCO₂e since its launch – which is equivalent to heating more than 20,000 average UK homes for a year. The company has also made major savings in its housing and infrastructure divisions, including 200 tonnes at Surrey Quays Station through sourcing low-carbon steel.

To read Chris’ article in full click here