In the construction industry, innovation is key to addressing some of the sector’s most pressing challenges. In a collaborative effort to transform construction and demolition (C&D) practices, Reincarnate is developing ten groundbreaking innovations to pave the way toward a more sustainable construction industry. As part of this initiative, the Innovation Series highlights the work of researchers and developers behind these pioneering solutions.
In this episode, we feature Witold Olczak, Innovation Specialist at Mostostal, and his innovative research on Lean Construction Resource Planning. This innovation focuses on creating both concepts and technology to streamline material ordering workflows and integrate CO2 estimation methods with Building Information Models (BIM), enabling informed decision-making in the construction process.
Watch Witold’s video on Lean Construction Resource Planning: A Reincarnate Innovation
Brief Description of the Innovation and its Role in the Reincarnate Project
Lean Construction Resource Planning focuses on developing concepts and technology that enhance decision-making in the construction process. This innovation streamlines material ordering workflows and introduces a more efficient integration of CO2 estimation methods with Building Information Models (BIM).
The research emphasizes the ecological costs of concrete, addressing the needs of both construction companies and material manufacturers. By creating tools that facilitate direct data exchange, the solution reduces material over-ordering, minimizes waste, and provides actionable insights into the sustainability impact of material choices. These advancements align with Reincarnate’s mission to foster sustainable and circular construction practices.
Specific challenges in construction and demolition (C&D) that the innovation aims to solve
This innovation supports informed decision-making by clearly demonstrating the impact of material choices on construction sustainability. By simplifying material take-offs and enabling direct data flow between construction companies and concrete manufacturers, it limits material over-ordering and prevents waste. Additionally, it stores structured information on a building’s built-in carbon footprint, providing comprehensive data that is also valuable for demolition and material reuse or recycling.
What inspired the development of the innovation, and how it evolved
Witold explains, “The upcoming legislation mandating carbon footprint analysis and reporting for the lifecycle of buildings by 2027 was a significant motivator for this innovation. We recognized the need to simplify this process, making it less time-consuming and providing benefits to all stakeholders.” Witold’s team initially focused on developing a methodology and tools for integrating concrete delivery ticket data into BIM models, using DEMO Consultants’ Circular Potential Assessment Information Model Platform.
The project evolved to create a BIM-based ecosystem that covers concrete ordering, material delivery, and model parameterization. This culminated in the development of the CEMEX tool, a solution that enables users to perform material take-offs, place and process orders, and store carbon footprint data within BIM models through a Revit plug-in.
The Stage of Development of the Innovation and Next Steps
The full integrated workflow of Lean Construction Resource Planning has been validated in initial implementations. Currently, extensive testing is underway to refine the tools and ensure they are robust across various use cases. As part of the Reincarnate project, this solution will be showcased in a live construction site environment, demonstrating its potential to drive sustainability in real-world scenarios.
A step toward sustainable construction
Lean Construction Resource Planning represents a significant step forward in the Reincarnate project’s mission to make construction and demolition practices more sustainable. By streamlining workflows, minimizing material waste, and providing precise carbon footprint tracking, this innovation helps stakeholders achieve compliance with future regulations while fostering a circular construction economy.
Watch Witold’s video on Lean Construction Resource Planning: A Reincarnate Innovation
Stay tuned as the Reincarnate Innovation Series continues to showcase transformative ideas shaping the future of the built environment.