INDUSTRY NEWS
NEWS, NOTES & TRENDS...
Letter to the Editor: David and Mike, I enjoyed reading CC&R’s article, “Poured, Printed, Tilted Up” on modern concrete systems. The article provided an excellent overview of different options, showing how the industry has (or should have) moved beyond CMU construction. At FMGI, we firmly believe that demand for 3D concrete printing (3DCP aka Additive Construction) will surge in the next year in the retail real estate arena. Our second build for Walmart proved that 3DCP is faster, safer, and cheaper than standard CMU construction. As a general contractor that leads the industry, FMGI has purchased two 3DCP robots, is conducting R&D with mix blends, experimenting with new finishing technologies and finalizing additive construction curriculum for training and certification. Which brings me to the reason for my letter. Many of the “drawbacks” to 3DCP included in your article are being solved, including: > Code challenges – I agree that this can be a challenge, but codes are improving. We are aligning with ASTM to standardize 3DCP in retail construction which will help accelerate adoption within the industry. Also, we are nearly complete with an engineering specifications document for 3DCP which will establish standards and expedite the design and review process. > Aesthetics – While there are a number of exterior claddings that could cover up the ridges, new technologies are being tested by FMGI to eliminate the “pancake effect.” > Lack of reinforcement – Our tests have shown 3DCP walls are 350% stronger than CMU walls. The U.S. Air Force is using 3DCP for military use, including bunkers, forward buildings, and revetments. For our Walmart builds, FMGI did use rebar, and we’re successfully extending the distance between vertical columns because the walls are stronger. > Insulation – We inject foam insulation between the rebars which provides adequate insulation for commercial use. I’d be happy to provide more details in a CCR Voices story, on your podcast, or for an E-Digest interview. Thank you for putting out a great product and interesting stories. Dr. Babak Zareiyan Director of Innovation & Technology, FMGI
2025 HVAC/Energy Survey from Issue 10 BubblyNet
Fabio Zaniboni, Founder & CEO 101 North Garden Avenue Clearwater, FL 33755 fabio@bubblynet.com • www.bubblynet.com Product Type: Controls/Monitoring
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COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION — ISSUE 11, 2025
The Numbers Game
4.6
The percent increase in U.S. hotel IT expenses in 2024, outpacing the 4% rise in total hotel costs, according to CBRE. The biggest jumps came in reservation, property management and guest service systems, while backoffice tech rose more modestly.
2.9
The percentage annual growth in extended-stay hotel supply, compared with a 2.5% rise in demand, according to The Highland Group. The near balance has kept occupancy rates steady, though recent months show supply edging slightly ahead.
2.5
The percent of firms that report projects consistently finish on time and on budget, according to FMI Corporation’s “2025 Project Manager Study.” The report finds that when project managers are at least moderately involved in estimating, profit reliability jumps from 55% to 78%, highlighting the link between early engagement and stronger project outcomes.