5 Ways the Construction Industry Could Change in the Near Future

Out of the many industries that exist within our society, construction is one of many predicted to change in the near future. It’s no secret that construction can be slow, and with the popularity and growth of modern technology, it isn’t surprising that it is prime to change with these growing trends. 

These trends are global, so they aren’t just happening in the United States or the United Kingdom. According to recent statistics, countries where the construction industry has found the most growth, like China and India, can account for around 57% of the construction industry and will continue to grow and change by 2030. 

With this change, many trends are already in the works, especially when it comes to construction equipment, such as well drillers, excavators and trends from several years ago that have completely changed the way the construction industry works today. 

So, what could the future of construction look like with the trends we see now? Here are five ways construction trends could change the industry in the near future: 

3D Printing

The construction industry can take advantage of 3D printing to solve various problems. For example, one of the most common complaints from people who buy new homes is that they aren’t happy with the colour of their walls. 3D printers could be used to print out a person’s desired colour for their walls before construction even starts.

3D printers can also be used during construction to speed up processes and provide an overall better quality building. They allow builders to print out custom parts for structures, which cuts down on time and money spent on materials.

Autonomous Building

Autonomous buildings are the future of construction. They will be able to self-construct and self-maintain. The technology is still in its infancy, but it has huge potential to change the industry. These self-building or self-assembling buildings will change the construction industry as we know it. 

The Rise of Electric Vehicles and Energy Storage

The construction industry is expected to be one of the industries most impacted by the rise of electric vehicles. This is because it is becoming more and more important to consider the power consumption of buildings and infrastructure based upon an ever-increasing electric vehicle fleet.

Photo by Scott Blake on Unsplash

Workplace Transformation

In the future, construction companies may have to deal with new workplace trends that will significantly impact how they function.

One of these trends is the move from cubicles to open office spaces. In order to foster creativity and promote collaboration, companies are moving away from cubicles and towards more open office spaces.

However, some argue that this trend could be not beneficial for construction companies. Construction is a process-oriented business and can require a lot of work in solitude. Having an open office space might make it difficult for individuals who work in these environments to stay focused on their tasks.

Introduction of AI and Robotics to Enhance Productivity and Safety

This might be in a long shot, but it is still a possibility that robots will be able to work with humans on construction sites. They can provide physical support and do more dangerous tasks like lifting heavy materials. AI will allow them to learn from human supervisors how to work in different environments to function with less supervision in the future.

Industrial robots are already being used at construction sites for years, but they are mostly limited to working near power sources or laying bricks without danger of an accident because they must stay connected to a network cable while working.