The US construction industry is increasingly embracing innovative, alternative and high-performance building materials as it focuses on sustainability – but tenant service and user experience technology adoption is lagging, according to new research
The 2024 Annual Building Tech Benchmarking report from BuiltWorlds uses survey data to analyse the accelerating transition towards sustainable practices, looking at the adoption, implementation and satisfaction levels of various building technologies.
The report found significant interest in alternative and high-performance building materials, with 74% of US construction industry professionals either specifying or using them on projects in some capacity.
Low-carbon concrete was the most widely used high-performance material, followed by wood alternatives such as mass timber.
These trends reflect a notable shift towards sustainable practices across the US construction industry driven by concerns over carbon emissions and environmental impact, BuiltWorlds said.
Yet despite the considerable interest in high-performance building materials, frequency of use was notably variable among participants, indicating that these products are still in their early days and not yet ready for widescale use, it added.
Embracing innovation in planning and design
The US construction industry’s adoption of dedicated planning and design solutions remains high, with more than 70% of survey respondents incorporating these tools in some capacity.
Benchmarking data reveals respondents are using over 16 unique solutions, reflecting a diverse landscape of tech aimed at enhancing efficiency and design precision.
Tenant services/user experience solutions lag behind – but smart buildings could drive growth
The adoption of tenant services and user experience solutions among the US construction industry lags behind other technology types, with 30% of respondents using them regularly.
BuiltWorlds said that as buildings become more interconnected and user-centric, the demand for technologies enhancing tenant experience is expected to increase, presenting an opportunity for innovative solutions to disrupt the industry.
As such, contractors who are tasked with erecting net zero and smart buildings will presumably become increasingly familiar with the various solutions available to increase occupant experience.
The report’s release comes ahead of BuildWorlds’ 2024 Buildings Conference focused on innovation and emerging technology in the development, design, materials and systems of buildings, which takes place in New York, NY, on 22-23 May.
