DesignTree Service Consultants: Adapting to New Technologies like BIM

DesignTree Service Consultants explores how technology like BIM, automated curing systems, and cloud collaboration are transforming construction. They emphasize sustainability and education for a resilient future.

Technology impacts numerous aspects of real estate, constantly evolving and pushing the industry to keep pace. We are now witnessing a shift from rigidity in structural design towards versatility, fluidity, and ease of change.

K. Srinivasa Reddy - Co-Founder & MD, DesignTree Service Consultants

Innovative business models and technologies in construction

The appeal of new construction technology lies in its promise and capacity to allow companies to build faster and smarter, and thereby be more efficient and competitive. Never before in the history of this industry have we seen such swift and large-scale construction activities taking place. New construction technology is driving efficiencies in connectivity, analytics, and big data. They streamline project management processes and reduce waste. This includes resource scheduling, tracking performance, equipment maintenance, and collaboration between teams. These tools are lowering barriers to productivity. Smaller construction firms can adopt cloud-based project management technologies to reduce project cost and duration by double-digit percentages.

Tech-based construction tools

We are already seeing a lot of potential for integrating and creating newer systems, products, and construction methods for the future. The BIM methodology, for instance, involves the entire project team (architects, structural engineers, designers, main contractors, and sub-contractors) to work collaboratively and define all the elements of the construction work, the systems, and components that are expected to be incorporated into the building.

In theory, this should provide powerful insight into the building, structure, M&E coordination, position and size of service gaps, and structure conflict detection to efficiently predict installation, avoiding spatial coordination issues before the project physically begins on site However, there have been criticisms of BIM, including the lack of ability to share data with subcontractors who simply don't have or don't want to adopt the technology. There is also a lack of early involvement of sub-contractors with the main contractor, while 'commercial' selection is taking place later and later in projects these days.

Wearables and Mobility, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Cloud-Based Collaboration, Artificial Intelligence are all tools that we are learning about. Prefabrication system is also going through improvements and is being adopted more widely.

Automated curing method

Manual water curing is a widespread practice, but achieving proper curing to prevent plastic cracking and ensuring long-term strength and durability is difficult. Aside from being labour-intensive, manual water curing is also uneconomical.

As an alternative, certain researchers suggest an automated curing method that estimates water loss and replenishes it using a theory-based calculation and taking into account the weather conditions. However, its effectiveness is restricted as the estimated water loss may not be completely accurate due to several factors that impact it.


To address these challenges, a conceptual automated water curing system that utilizes real-time monitoring with the Internet of Things (IoT) technology is needed. The system involves wireless sensors for temperature and relative humidity, a smart water valve, water sprinklers, and the IoT gateway. As per ASTM F2170, the sensors can be positioned, and data will be collected, examined, and handled in real-time using an IoT gateway. The IoT gateway transmits data to the smart water valve, which then sprays water when the moisture level drops below the pre-set threshold.

This process continues until the concrete reaches a certain strength level estimated using internal concrete temperature data and the maturity method. Moreover, the data can be transmitted continuously to cloud storage to keep track of the concrete's durability. The proposed automated water curing system offers numerous advantages, such as eliminating the risk of concrete failure caused by inadequate curing, being efficient in terms of time and resources, monitoring real-time strength development, not being impacted by other factors, and having practical benefits for both stakeholders and society.

Addressing climate resilience

An essential aspect of our future is adapting to climate change and extreme weather. Building climate resilience into our infrastructure is crucial, requiring new policies and innovative approaches. HVAC systems must be designed to handle extreme temperatures such as those exceeding 50°C. Electrical grids need to be robust enough to withstand severe weather events, ensuring reliable power supply during crises.

Education and Policy Reform

Education is key to driving change and adaptation in the real estate industry. Engineers and industry professionals must be trained to understand and implement new technologies and sustainable practices. We need to invest in education that caters to the multifaceted changes happening around us. Good design colleges, competitions, and research initiatives are essential for better integration of these advancements. Comprehensive studies of ground recharge can lead to technology-driven solutions for optimal groundwater management, crucial for water-scarce regions.

Future of Real Estate

As we look to the future, the real estate industry must continue to embrace technology and innovation. This will involve ongoing experimentation and adaptation to new tools and methods. Building the cities of the future requires a commitment to sustainability, resilience, and continuous learning.

In summary, technology is transforming the real estate industry, enabling faster, more efficient, and more sustainable building practices. As we move forward, embracing change and fostering innovation will be essential in building resilient and adaptable cities. Education, policy reform, and a willingness to experiment are key to navigating this evolving landscape and creating a better future for all.

We at DesignTree Service Consultants are rendering Civil, Structures, Public Health, Fire Protection, Electrical, HVAC, Green Building & Infrastructure services in BANGALORE | CHENNAI | HYDERABAD | KOLKATA | MUMBAI | PUNE cities.