Are we on the verge of a construction revolution?

As Alphabet begin to tackle city-level challenges with their venture Sidewalk Labs, the question about ‘what would Google do to change real estate?’ is beginning to be answered. As they put it: [they’re] building a platform and a set of urban applications to accelerate innovation in cities around the world.

Exciting times for city development. But it’s construction and building that is particularly exciting in my world.

In February, we brought Skanska’s head of Innovation, Sam Stacey, to the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Paris Conference, Young Leaders Forum. He shared insight on 3D Printing, construction robots and the necessity for efficiency as urbanisation drives construction activity across the globe. Skanska have recently received some exciting grants and, alongside the likes of Laing O’Rourke, are increasingly drive innovation in the construction sector.

But why is this change so necessary?

The recent RICS Futures report always comes to mind — certainly worth a long look — and this stat really stands out: ‘Oxford Economics and Global Construction Perspectives have forecast that construction output by 2025 is expected to grow by a massive 70% to US$15tn’. Fifteen trillion. That will either require a step change in numbers of construction sector workers, or a much smarter way of building.

Personally, the latter sounds much more exciting.

In the UK, there have been a number of projects delayed, cancelled or faced with an uncertain programme as a result of rising construction costs. Something that will only become more of a challenge as flat-lined productivity holds the development industry back. There is a widely publicised challenge as skilled trades experts approach retirement age. The Chartered Institute of Building recently published a comprehensive report on productivity which is also a worthwhile read.

RICS noted in their aforementioned report that 3D printing has the chance to change the sector. DUS Architects in Amsterdam are underway with a 3D printed house while in Dubai, they have recently completed a 3D printed office. The implications are extremely exciting but not without challenges. A number of barriers to change exist including relatively high setup costs and upskilling knowledge for professionals.

“Robotic construction and 3D printing are the future” says architect Wolf D Prix. This was a piece published last year on Dezeen. It really piqued my interest as it’s a vision for construction that seems far-fetched to the uninitiated.

Disruption to the construction industry is welcome, but how long will it be before the likes of Alphabet take aim at the world of buildings?