Global Construction Technologies making inroads in India
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

Global Construction Technologies making inroads in India

Developers are increasingly turning to newer technologies to shrink the time taken to develop a floor or unit. “India’s real-estate sector is slowly adopting newer technologies or processes such as insulating concrete formwork, which is used for construction on a larger scale in the western world as it is efficient and makes the construction process faster,” says Rohit Poddar, Managing Director, Poddar Housing & Development.

Apart from conventional systems of building with beam and slab, “there are technologies like precast, monolithic and shear wall technology by using aluminium formwork, which have become popular in India as well,” says PNVS Murthy, Vice-President (Tech), NCC.

Technology-driven offsite construction company Katerra is among the participants at the Global Housing Technology Challenge, where it will showcase its expertise at delivering end-to-end building solutions. “Using the concept of ‘design for manufacturing and assembly’ (DfMA), all our building components are designed to be modular, while not compromising on design excellence,” says Nejeeb Khan, Head - Design & Business Development, Katerra. “These components are then manufactured offsite in a factory-controlled, production assembly line, using robotics and automation technology. Finished modules and components are then transported and assembled onsite. Our projects are hence completed 50 per cent faster than traditional construction and bring in quality and cost-efficiency by ensuring less material usage.” 

The firm has been using this technology for several housing projects it has completed in the US. In India, it is working with Infosys, Embassy, Lulu Mall, Bosch, KMCH Hospitals, GEMS Schools, etc, to deliver solutions for commercial and industrial buildings, hospitals, malls, and schools, and is also breaking ground on a new residential project with Vaishnavi Builders. Across the globe, DfMA, modular construction, offsite manufacturing, intelligent buildings and construction software are gaining prominence. “These new solutions need to be adapted to suit the Indian market and its unique needs,” adds Khan. “India’s infrastructure needs cannot be fulfilled by using traditional construction methods. We need to focus on local R&D and combine it with global technology to develop sustainable solutions. The use of such an approach is critical to delivering quality and affordable homes with speed—this is what India needs.”

- SERAPHINA D’SOUZA

Developers are increasingly turning to newer technologies to shrink the time taken to develop a floor or unit. “India’s real-estate sector is slowly adopting newer technologies or processes such as insulating concrete formwork, which is used for construction on a larger scale in the western world as it is efficient and makes the construction process faster,” says Rohit Poddar, Managing Director, Poddar Housing & Development.Apart from conventional systems of building with beam and slab, “there are technologies like precast, monolithic and shear wall technology by using aluminium formwork, which have become popular in India as well,” says PNVS Murthy, Vice-President (Tech), NCC.Technology-driven offsite construction company Katerra is among the participants at the Global Housing Technology Challenge, where it will showcase its expertise at delivering end-to-end building solutions. “Using the concept of ‘design for manufacturing and assembly’ (DfMA), all our building components are designed to be modular, while not compromising on design excellence,” says Nejeeb Khan, Head - Design & Business Development, Katerra. “These components are then manufactured offsite in a factory-controlled, production assembly line, using robotics and automation technology. Finished modules and components are then transported and assembled onsite. Our projects are hence completed 50 per cent faster than traditional construction and bring in quality and cost-efficiency by ensuring less material usage.” The firm has been using this technology for several housing projects it has completed in the US. In India, it is working with Infosys, Embassy, Lulu Mall, Bosch, KMCH Hospitals, GEMS Schools, etc, to deliver solutions for commercial and industrial buildings, hospitals, malls, and schools, and is also breaking ground on a new residential project with Vaishnavi Builders. Across the globe, DfMA, modular construction, offsite manufacturing, intelligent buildings and construction software are gaining prominence. “These new solutions need to be adapted to suit the Indian market and its unique needs,” adds Khan. “India’s infrastructure needs cannot be fulfilled by using traditional construction methods. We need to focus on local R&D and combine it with global technology to develop sustainable solutions. The use of such an approach is critical to delivering quality and affordable homes with speed—this is what India needs.”- SERAPHINA D’SOUZA

Next Story
Equipment

Handling concrete better

Efficiently handling the transportation and placement of concrete is essential to help maintain the quality of construction, meet project timelines by minimising downtimes, and reduce costs – by 5 to 15 per cent, according to Sandeep Jain, Director, Arkade Developers. CW explores what the efficient handling of concrete entails.Select wellFirst, a word on choosing the right equipment, such as a mixer with a capacity aligned to the volume required onsite, from Vaibhav Kulkarni, Concrete Expert. “An overly large mixer will increase the idle time (and cost), while one that ..

Next Story
Real Estate

Elevated floors!

Raised access flooring, also called false flooring, is a less common interiors feature than false ceilings, but it has as many uses – if not more.A raised floor is a modular panel installed above the structural floor. The space beneath the raised flooring is typically used to accommodate utilities such as electrical cables, plumbing and HVAC systems. And so, raised flooring is usually associated with buildings with heavy cabling and precise air distribution needs, such as data centres.That said, CW interacted with designers and architects and discovered that false flooring can come in handy ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

The Variation Challenge

A variation or change in scope clause is defined in construction contracts to take care of situations arising from change in the defined scope of work. Such changes may arise due to factors such as additions or deletions in the scope of work, modifications in the type, grade or specifications of materials, alterations in specifications or drawings, and acts or omissions of other contractors. Further, ineffective planning, inadequate investigations or surveys and requests from the employer or those within the project’s area of influence can contribute to changes in the scope of work. Ext..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?