Real Estate Marketing & Beyond
According to an article in Hospitality Technology, smart hotels are more in demand from travellers. This next generation of hotels are being built at lower cost and in less time as contractors’ partner with technology companies.
One of the most promising developments in the construction, engineering and architecture industry is Building Information Modelling or BIM. Architects are using this latest technology with Virtual Design and Construction to input their design into a software program that is able to produce a virtual replica model of the finished building. This is enabling design teams to pre-coordinate systems during the design phase, helping to eliminate risk during the building process and boosting profit margins.
Nowadays an increasing number of hotels are constructed out of prefabricated steel framing systems rather than time-consuming concrete or more traditional wood. This is beneficial as the steel framed buildings are constructed off-site to precise specifications and require less manpower and materials for the installation of the frame itself as well as for the installation of other building finishes and systems. The article points out that in a traditional wood frame structure it’s impossible for roughing crews to begin work until the structure is complete due to the compression of the wood frame. This makes construction less efficient and more expensive whereas with a steel framed building, roughing crews can begin working as soon as the frame is in place.
The design and repetitious nature of hotel construction means they are ideally suited for steel framing systems. Sometimes companies are preassembling the framing components, plumbing and electrical assemblies and ductwork to be shipped to the construction site. Nowadays it is possible for hotels to be assembled with parts that are simply bolted together due to the use of BIM models and structural systems. As a result construction teams require fewer skilled laborers, reducing the possibility of delays due to labor shortages.
Using a steel base structure and BIM helps to take some of the risk out of building while improving profit margins. It’s expected that as 3-D building technology continues to improve, more major hotel chains will begin to adopt this new method of building. Already it has been used by companies such as Hyatt as using a steel base structure can allow the building to be completed in a much shorter timeframe.
