Technological innovation always shakes up an industry, and the surveying industry is no exception. All throughout surveying, machine guidance systems are gaining acceptance. The increased adoption of this technology by the industry is renewing the importance of surveyors. Machine guidance systems require skilled workers to calibrate and operate, and surveyors are in the best position to do this job. In order to capitalize on the opportunity, surveyors will need to learn to use machine guidance and promote their new skill.

Selecting the proper floor finish can be a difficult task for any project, especially educational facilities.  Almost every school you enter today has a cafeteria or multipurpose room that functions as an eating area.  The eating area is usually equipped with cafeteria tables that have attached seating.  These tables are large, can weigh several hundred pounds, and can contribute to damaging the selected flooring material.  If sheet vinyl flooring was selected, the vinyl would become dented and/or compressed at each table leg location.  Sheet vinyl does not have the have compressive strength to withstand such high point loads.  In just a short period of time, the entire floor would become visibly scared and unattractive.  Vinyl composite tiles would have the compressive strength to withstand the weight of the tables.  However, over an extended period of time, the tiles expand and contract, allowing dirt and grease to accumulate in the joints.  Virtually impossible to remove, the dirt and grease quickly become noticeable.   Ceramic tile is another viable option, but can become a slip hazard when wet.  Also, the grout will stain with repeated exposure to liquid, dirt and food.

Rainwater can be harvested with large, sophisticated, complex systems, linked rain barrels, or a single rain barrel. A single rain barrel is typically installed under a downspout as a repository for the rainwater collected by the roof gutters.

Eco-friendly inventions now enable elevators to operate with much less energy, use less building square footage by eliminating traditional elevator utility rooms, and incorporate eco-sensitive finish materials. Likewise, green strategies for eco-modernizations are also available to renovate traditional elevators. Yet beyond new green technologies and renovations, an elevator itself is an important green tool.

(As previously published in Modern Contractor Solutions.) Pervious pavement is a green, sustainable strategy that can assist in lowering stormwater runoff, naturally decreasing automobile pollutants, recharging the water table supply and moderating the heat island effect. Similar to other complex construction systems, in order for the sustainable pavement to perform as it was designed, it needs to be installed with precision and maintained with diligence. To drain water effectively on any given site, different geographical areas require special adjustments to the technology as well.

What will happen to that water bottle you just tossed into your recycling bin? According to Mohawk Industries, manufacturer of EverStrand carpeting, “One in every four plastic bottles recycled in North America becomes EverStrand."

Interested in lowering water resource costs, wastewater costs, and being able to use water during periods of restricted use? If so, consider installing a greywater system. Greywater systems are plumbing systems that recycle wastewater collected from washing fixtures such as showers, tubs, and sinks. The wastewater is filtered so that it is able to be used in non-potable (i.e., do not drink it!) applications such as irrigation and flushing a toilet.

Light Expanded Clay Aggregate (LECA) masonry block, which was used in the construction of the Landskrona Townhouse, is a low embodied energy material, is relatively inexpensive, is lightwieght, has a high insulation R-value, and is made by heating the materials to 1200 degrees Celsius in a rotary kiln. The origins of LECA and other aggregates such as Gravelite, Perlite, and Rocklite can be traced back to the invention of Haydite (invented for the construction of the USS Selma) in 1917 in Kansas City, Missouri. In Europe, LECA block was first used in Denmark, Germany, Holland, and the U.K.

For years, design shows have been busy emptying the world’s quarries of as much granite as possible in the name of kitchen countertops. The harvesting of stone, as well as its shipping and processing, can leave a significant environmental footprint. A small number of companies, such as Cold Spring Granite (which has architectural, memorial, and residential products), prioritize sustainability. Meanwhile, green manufacturers have been coming up with a number of attractive and highly functional alternatives.

For years, design shows have been busy emptying the world’s quarries of as much granite as possible in the name of kitchen countertops. The harvesting of stone, as well as its shipping and processing, can leave a significant environmental footprint. A small number of companies, such as Cold Spring Granite (which has architectural, memorial, and residential products), prioritize sustainability. Meanwhile, green manufacturers have been coming up with a number of attractive and highly functional alternatives.

“Paint is a big, big piece of the puzzle,” says Steele. “A lot of times it’s the first thing that gets changed when people decide they want to go green because it requires a low commitment level.”

Roof gardens can be divided into two categories: extensive and intensive. Extensive roof gardens, which are more common and less complicated, are typically constructed to a depth of 6” and are frequently designed to meet specific performance goals. Intensive roof gardens, which can be relatively deep, commonly include large plants, trees, and elaborate gardens that require much maintenance. Key benefits of roof gardens include controlling stormwater run-off, mitigating urban heat island effects, and reducing sound reflection and transmission.