Construction Ahead
As the construction industry’s evolution continues to be driven by innovation and forward-thinking practices, there is great excitement about what lies ahead for the future, both in the short- and long-term. There has been not only a steady demand for projects—especially more diversified ones that meet modern-day needs—but also advancements in technology that are reshaping the way we build for tomorrow.
Of course, keeping up with the demand is no small feat as companies do all they can to stay ahead of the curve. As business booms, the industry is faced with many lingering issues whether it’s coping with labor shortages, trying to navigate the rising cost of materials or identifying ways to reduce safety risks.
South Jersey Biz spoke to some leaders in the field to get their perspective on the current state of the industry, the significant challenges to be overcome and what most excites them as they focus on the future.
From your viewpoint, what would you say are the most significant challenges facing the construction industry currently?
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“One of the biggest challenges is the widening gap between what organizations need and how the construction industry is set up to deliver it. We’ve got tighter budgets, expectations are higher and the margin for error is shrinking. At the same time, labor shortages, regulatory hurdles and follow-up construction costs make it harder to predict outcomes with confidence.”
—Stephen Giorgio, CEO, Lammey+Giorgio
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“One of the biggest challenges is the widening gap between what organizations need and how the construction industry is set up to deliver it. We’ve got tighter budgets, expectations are higher and the margin for error is shrinking. At the same time, labor shortages, regulatory hurdles and follow-up construction costs make it harder to predict outcomes with confidence.”
—Stephen Giorgio, CEO, Lammey+Giorgio
With labor shortages being a consideration, how should those in the industry be looking to attract the next generation of workers?
“Attracting the next generation of workers is both a challenge and a necessity for the continued success of the construction industry. Today’s workforce enters the field with a different mindset—one that often focuses on what a company can offer them, rather than the traditional notion of what they can bring to the company. This shift in expectations is reshaping how firms must approach recruitment and retention.”
—Chuck Romanoli, managing principal, NEW ROAD Construction Management
“Attracting the next generation of workers is both a challenge and a necessity for the continued success of the construction industry. Today’s workforce enters the field with a different mindset—one that often focuses on what a company can offer them, rather than the traditional notion of what they can bring to the company. This shift in expectations is reshaping how firms must approach recruitment and retention.”
—Chuck Romanoli, managing principal, NEW ROAD Construction Management
“The biggest advantage to learning the trades is that you have job security in a well-paying role that supports building your own business. That should be emphasized more as we reach out to younger workers.”
—John Oberer, principal, GZA
—John Oberer, principal, GZA
“The demand for skilled labor in the construction industry is more critical than ever. To build a stronger talent pipeline, companies must actively partner with schools and vocational programs to introduce students to construction career paths early on. To attract tech-savvy individuals, it’s essential to highlight the industry’s growing use of AI, robotics and drone surveying technologies.”
—Patrick Jeffery, COO, executive vice president, T&M Associates
—Patrick Jeffery, COO, executive vice president, T&M Associates
How are you overcoming continued rising material costs and supply-chain disruptions?
“AI has become a powerful tool to combat rising material costs and supply-chain disruptions to lock in prices early, adjust budgets and forecast future material costs. AI can predict material needs based on project timelines and can flag potential disruptions and suggest alternative materials or bulk purchase options.”
—Patrick Jeffery
“AI has become a powerful tool to combat rising material costs and supply-chain disruptions to lock in prices early, adjust budgets and forecast future material costs. AI can predict material needs based on project timelines and can flag potential disruptions and suggest alternative materials or bulk purchase options.”
—Patrick Jeffery
As the industry evolves, how are architectural needs changing along with the times?
“Architecture is no longer about designing buildings: We are designing outcomes. So, that shifts the traditional architecture firm needs, which means they need to evolve. While we still need architects with strong technical capabilities, we can’t do that alone. It’s not enough to meet today’s challenges or tomorrow’s challenges. … That’s why we’re integrating technologists, design advisors, economists, user experience strategists and performance specialists alongside our architects. It’s a more interdisciplinary approach that mirrors the complexity of the problems we are solving.”
—Stephen Giorgio
“Architecture is no longer about designing buildings: We are designing outcomes. So, that shifts the traditional architecture firm needs, which means they need to evolve. While we still need architects with strong technical capabilities, we can’t do that alone. It’s not enough to meet today’s challenges or tomorrow’s challenges. … That’s why we’re integrating technologists, design advisors, economists, user experience strategists and performance specialists alongside our architects. It’s a more interdisciplinary approach that mirrors the complexity of the problems we are solving.”
—Stephen Giorgio
Do you expect to see an ongoing trend of larger office space being repurposed for other uses, or do you think the larger spaces will once again become attractive to tenants/landlords?
“Most existing office buildings will either be reconfigured, repurposed or demolished. The demand for larger office spaces will be coming from larger corporations and they will expect new, state-of-the-art buildings.”
—Christopher Jerijan, founder and CEO, Kiwi Offices
“Most existing office buildings will either be reconfigured, repurposed or demolished. The demand for larger office spaces will be coming from larger corporations and they will expect new, state-of-the-art buildings.”
—Christopher Jerijan, founder and CEO, Kiwi Offices
What are some recent innovations that you find exciting and how are they transforming the way the industry operates?
“There’s a lot of excitement around AI tools, such as machine learning. They’re powerful, but they need to be carefully managed, and the output should be reviewed by professionals who have the training and experience to accurately interpret the output.”
—John Oberer
“There’s a lot of excitement around AI tools, such as machine learning. They’re powerful, but they need to be carefully managed, and the output should be reviewed by professionals who have the training and experience to accurately interpret the output.”
—John Oberer
“One of the most exciting and impactful innovations in recent years has been the evolution of Building Information Modeling (BIM). While BIM has been around for some time, advancements in artificial intelligence, computing power and modeling software have significantly expanded its capabilities and accessibility across the construction industry. … As BIM continues to evolve and integrate with other technologies, we expect it will play an even greater role in enhancing communication, improving quality and optimizing decision-making throughout the entire project lifecycle.”
—Chuck Romanoli
—Chuck Romanoli
Are you hopeful for the direction the industry is headed?
“I think the construction industry is here to stay and will do very well in the future. The import tariffs are going to create a demand for new manufacturing facilities in the U.S. There will definitely be a surge in construction over the next five-10 years if the tariffs remain in place. … I believe construction and real estate will do very well, it’s just going to be demand in a different form for retail, industrial and office space.”
—Christopher Jerijan
“I think the construction industry is here to stay and will do very well in the future. The import tariffs are going to create a demand for new manufacturing facilities in the U.S. There will definitely be a surge in construction over the next five-10 years if the tariffs remain in place. … I believe construction and real estate will do very well, it’s just going to be demand in a different form for retail, industrial and office space.”
—Christopher Jerijan
Author: Peter Proko
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