By Nancy Greenwald, Executive DirectorRecently, I had the privilege of participating as a judge in the Big 5 Global Impact Awards, a prestigious event created to inspire the construction industry across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.
The categories I judged — Impact Leadership Team of the Year Award and Modular Construction Project of the Year — offered insights into how governments and businesses are rising to meet today’s pressing demands for sustainability, collaboration, and innovation. The Impact Leadership Team of the Year Award showcases companies that are not only leading projects but also leading movements. These organizations are rethinking leadership in ways that emphasize inclusion, diversity, and team collaboration. It was inspiring to see how these teams are breaking new ground, not just in building structures, but in building a culture that fosters innovation and progress. The Modular Construction Project of the Year highlights the growing trend of modularity in construction. Modular projects are gaining momentum worldwide, but what struck me was how companies in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia are leveraging modular construction to tackle unique environmental, economic, and societal challenges. The projects included large residential development, a hotel, and even the central building for a Global Reserve – the King Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve. These projects demonstrate how modular construction can not only save time and resources but also provide flexible, scalable solutions for rapidly growing urban areas. The Big 5 Global Impact Awards categories as a whole delve into a wide array of significant topics--from livable cities of the future and sustainable construction practices to inclusion, heritage conservation, and circular economy principles. The organizations and individuals leading these efforts are making remarkable strides in technology and digitization, enabling construction processes that are both smarter and greener. As judges, we were tasked with evaluating how these projects align with the industry’s evolving needs—such as creating more sustainable, livable cities and addressing long-term environmental challenges. Seeing how each entry embraced these goals was both eye-opening and motivating. From this vantage point, I witnessed the powerful influence that regional innovation is having on the global construction industry. The leadership and modular projects I reviewed offered lessons and ideas that could benefit regions beyond the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. It's clear that while the challenges might differ by region, the passion for creating a more sustainable, inclusive, and forward-thinking industry is shared globally. All of the projects are impressive. One was sheer joy. Pictured above is Teamlab a project of the The Ministry of Culture - Saudi Arabia located in the Jeddah historical district, one of the finalists. It is a remarkable project that blurs the lines between architecture, art, technology, and nature in an immersive experience. This project doesn't just create a building or a space — it creates an experience that seamlessly integrates natural elements with cutting-edge technology and artistic expression. The result is a breathtaking example of how our built environments can transcend traditional boundaries and offer something truly unique. Click on the video above to enjoy the experience. Winners will be announced on November 27, 2024. The winners of the Big 5 Global Impact Awards will be announced on November 27, 2024.
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by Nancy Greenwald, Executive Director, The Construction Institute, Inc.
Over the years between 20-25% of the attendees at the Women Who Build Summit have been men. There’s an important reason for that. Building an inclusive culture means inviting everyone to the table. The Construction Institute’s members represent the diversity of professions in the AEC industry. People who come to our events represent that range of professions. They represent a range of generations as well. This is our mission: “At Construction Institute, we are leading a collaborative movement bringing together all industry contributors to shape the future.” We want everyone at the table. So why hold the Women Who Build Summit? Because the construction industry -- still one of the least diverse – faces a critical turning point. The talent shortage won't be solved by looking in the same places. It's about breaking new ground, together. The program isn’t just about women's issues; it is about how we, as an industry, need to evolve to stay relevant and competitive. And that's why men have an important seat at the table at the Construction Institute's 2024 Women Who Build Summit. It's for everyone committed to building a stronger, more innovative future for our industry. Here's why men shouldn’t miss this opportunity:
Hear from men who have attended past Summits: The program is “a fantastic window into how women are looking at workplace challenges and opportunities, as well as good professional insight for all....” - Steven Haines, director of technical operations for BVH Integrated Services. “It’s exciting to see so many women at all different stages and leadership level in their career, meeting to share experience and knowledge to help others in the AEC Industry." - Leo Pupim, VisionPoint, LLC Let’s harness the power of working together. Join us on March 26-27,2024 at UMass, Amherst for the 2024 Women Who Build Summit. Register today. Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) is a construction project delivery method that emphasizes early collaboration and open communication among all project stakeholders, including the owner, designer, general contractor, and subcontractors. IPD projects are typically characterized by the following key characteristics:
If you want to take a deeper dive into IPD, we recommend the following: Integrated Project Delivery for Public and Private Owners A Joint Effort of the National Association of State Facilities Administrators (NASFA); Construction Owners Association of America (COAA); APPA: The Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers; Associated General Contractors of America (AGC); and American Institute of Architects (AIA) - accessible at https://www.agc.org/integrated-project-delivery Transforming Project Delivery: Integrated Project Delivery, Howard Ashcraft Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Volume 38, Issue 2, Summer 2022, Pages 369–384, https://doi.org/10.1093/oxrep/grac001 |
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