Bwin Best Online Betting Site

Garrison Construction Group ranked Bwin Best Online Betting Sitewith a two-year revenue growth of 407% percent on the Inc. Regionals: Southwest list that ranks the Top 141 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in the Southwestern United States.

Within the construction industry

Garrison Construction Group ranked No. 1 as the fastest-growing construction firm in Texas and No. 2 fastest-growing in construction within the Southwestern region overall.

Our Historical Rankings with Inc.

This is Garrison Construction Group’s third consecutive year to rank in a prestigious Inc. Magazine list. In 2020, Garrison Construction Group ranked #424 in the Inc. 500 list of the top 500 fastest-growing private companies nationwide and clocked-in as the most rapidly growing construction firm in Houston. Stats follow.

STATS

Garrison Construction Group Rankings Overall and within the Construction Industry

2022 Inc. Regionals: Southwest
The Top 140 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in the Southwestern U.S.

• Region Overall Rank: 27

• Region Industry: 2

• Statewide (TX) Overall Rank: 18

• Statewide (TX) Industry: 1

• Houston Metro Overall Rank: 2

2021 Inc. 5000: Texas Regionals List
The Top 250 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in Texas

• Statewide Overall Rank: 18

• Statewide Industry: 3

• Houston Metro Overall Rank: 4

• Houston Metro Industry: 2

2020 Inc. 500 List
The Top 500 Fastest-Growing Private Companies Nationwide

• Nationwide Overall Rank: 424

• Nationwide Industry: 11

• Statewide Industry: 2

• Houston Metro Overall Rank: 7

• Houston Metro Industry: 1

About Garrison Construction Group

Founded in 2013, Garrison Construction Group is one of the largest commercial general contractors in Houston.

We specialize in high-end commercial construction. From corporate interiors to capital improvements to ground-up new builds, our team manages commercial construction projects from concept to completion.

More Information / Sources

View the full Inc. Regionals: Southwest 2022 list and the Garrison Construction Group profile as a list honoree below.

The Houston Business Journal ranked Garrison Construction Group #4 on its 2021 list of fastest-growing private companies in Houston.

The 2021 Houston Business Journal Fast 100 List rankings were based on revenue growth from 2018 to 2020. Garrison Construction Group ranked No. 4 on The List with an average revenue growth from 2018 - 2020 of 435.97%.

Per the Houston Business Journal, in order to qualify for the Fast 100, companies on The List must meet the following criteria:

• Headquartered in the Houston area

• In operation for at least five full fiscal years

• Earned at least $1 million in revenue in the latest fiscal year

• For-profit and privately held

For more information, please view the HBJ article linked below.

Garrison Construction Group ranked on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America for a second time

For 2021, Garrison Construction Group ranked No. 686 on the Inc. 5000 list with a three-year revenue growth of 711% percent. Regionally, Garrison Construction Group ranked as the second fastest-growing privately held construction firm in Houston, the third fastest-growing in Texas, and twenty-first fastest-growing nationwide.

This is Garrison Construction Group’s second year to make the Inc. 5000 list. In 2020, Garrison Construction Group ranked No. 424, earning a place on the prestigious Inc. 500 list which includes only the top 10% of Inc. 5000 companies, and regionally ranked as the fastest-growing construction industry firm in Houston.

STATS

Garrison Construction Group 2021 Inc. 5000 Rankings Overall and within the Construction Industry

• Nationwide Overall Rank: 686

• Nationwide Industry: 21

• Statewide Overall: 52

• Statewide Industry: 3

• Houston Metro Overall Rank: 12

• Houston Metro Industry: 2

About the Inc. 5000 List & More Information

The Inc. 5000 List of fastest-growing private companies in America is published annually by Inc. Magazine. View the full Inc. 5000 list for 2021 and the Garrison Construction Group profile as a list honoree below.

Per Inc. Magazine “this year’s set of winners places the bar very high indeed. Companies that made the list, on average, have grown sixfold since 2016. During a stretch when the economy grew just 15 percent, that’s a result most businesses could only dream of.”

With this honor, Garrison Construction Group is included in the ranks of well-known names, like Microsoft, Intuit, Patagonia, Under Armour and others, that according to Inc. Magazine “gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.”

About Garrison Construction Group

Founded in 2013, Garrison Construction Group is one of the largest commercial general contractors in Houston. We specialize in high-end commercial construction. From corporate interiors to capital improvements to ground-up new builds, our team manages commercial construction projects from concept to completion.

Garrison Construction Group ranked among the top 10% of Fastest-Growing Private Companies in Texas on the Inc. 5000 Regionals: Texas 2021 list.

Garrison Construction Group ranked No. 18 with a two-year revenue growth of 659% percent on the Inc. 5000 Regionals: Texas 2021 list that ranks the Top 250 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in Texas.

Within the construction industry, Garrison Construction Group ranked #3 as the third fastest-growing construction firm in Texas.

This is Garrison Construction Group’s second consecutive year to rank in a prestigious Inc. Magazine list. In 2020, Garrison Construction Group ranked #424 in the Inc. 500 list of the top 500 fastest-growing private companies nationwide and clocked-in as the most rapidly growing construction firm in Houston.

STATS

Garrison Construction Group Rankings Overall and within the Construction Industry

2021 Inc. 5000: Texas Regionals List
The Top 250 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in Texas

• Statewide Overall Rank: 18

• Statewide Industry: 3

• Houston Metro Overall Rank: 4

• Houston Metro Industry: 2

2020 Inc. 500 List
The Top 500 Fastest-Growing Private Companies Nationwide

• Nationwide Overall Rank: 424

• Nationwide Industry: 11

• Statewide Industry: 2

• Houston Metro Overall Rank: 7

• Houston Metro Industry: 1

About Garrison Construction Group

Founded in 2013, Garrison Construction Group is one of the largest commercial general contractors in Houston.

We specialize in high-end commercial construction. From corporate interiors to capital improvements to ground-up new builds, our team manages commercial construction projects from concept to completion.

More Information / Sources

View the full Inc. 5000 Regionals: Texas 2021 list and the Garrison Construction Group profile as a list honoree below.

A milestone for the commercial space industry and particularly for Garrison Construction Group client Nanoracks, the privately funded Bishop Airlock, a $20M project that was in development for the last five years and was designed to operate within the International Space Station, launched into orbit for the first time last week (Dec 6, 2020), housed in the trunk of a SpaceX Cargo Dragon capsule.

The now installed Nanoracks Bishop Airlock adds to the capacity for scientific experiments on the International Space Station, and according to Bishop Airlock Project Manager Brock Howe, it is the “first commercial module for the International Space Station designed and built {at NanoRacks}.”

LEARN MORE
Reference article & video

Learn more about the Bishop Airlock, the SpaceX launch, and other related commercial and government backed projects housed on the International Space Station, in this article written by Stephen Clark and published by Space Flight Now.

The Nanoracks animation video below featured in the Space Flight Now article shows how the company plans to use the Bishop airlock, with the space station’s robotic arm moving the module on and off its home on the International Space Station Tranquility node.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The animation was created in 2018 and illustrates the Bishop module arriving on an older, now-retired version of SpaceX’s Dragon cargo vehicle.

GARRISON CONSTRUCTION GROUP: NANORACKS BUILD-OUT
Bishop Airlock Clean Room, Avionics Lab, Offices & More

Garrison Construction Group recently served as General Contractor, working with with Colliers International, Inc. and CDI Douglass Pye, Inc., to construct new offices for Nanoracks from Phase I to Completion.

The 22,000 square-foot Nanoracks facility located in Webster, Texas included construction of the “Cleanroom” to house the Bishop Airlock, “the first complex commercially developed and privately owned element on the International Space Station.”

The project also included an avionics lab for electronic systems, a wet lab for biological experiments, offices, meeting and lobby spaces, break room/ kitchen, restrooms and more.

MORE INFORMATION & SOURCES  

For source articles and more information, please see links below.

• Space Flight Now article

• Nanoracks

• Colliers International

• CDI Douglass Pye

• SpaceX

• Primary Image Credit: Nanoracks technicians work on the Bishop airlock module inside NASA’s Space Station Processing Facility at the Kennedy Space Center in October, by NASA/Kim Shiflett.

The opinions expressed by Garrison Construction Group, LLC bwin casinodo not necessarily reflect the opinions of Nanoracks, Colliers International, CDI Douglass Pye, SpaceX, Space Flight Now, or any other source cited within this post.  

Garrison Construction Group served as general contractor for corporate interior improvements for several legal industry firms working with and for leading commercial property management and architectural firms - CDI Douglass Pye, PDG Architects, Tarantino Properties, Stream Realty Partners, Gemini Rosemont Realty, Tanglewood Property Group, and JZ Interior Design.

Following find an overview of construction projects completed at the Houston offices of law firms - Dunham & Jones, Nielsen & Crockett LLP, Preis PLC, The Miller Law Firm, and Bain & Barkley Law.

Dunham & Jones, Attorneys at Law

Garrison Construction Group served as general contractor for tenant improvements of the offices of Dunham & Jones, Attorneys at Law, working with PDG Architects and property management firm Stream Realty Partners. The offices feature elegant polished stone flooring, glass enclosed offices and meeting spaces, and skyline views of downtown Houston.

Nielsen Crockett Personal Injury Trial Lawyers

Working with architectural firm CDI Douglass Pye, Inc. and property management firm Tarantino Properties, Inc., Garrison Construction Group served as general contractor for tenant improvements of the offices of legal firm Nielsen Crockett LLP.

Preis PLC

Garrison Construction Group served as general contractor for tenant improvements for the Houston offices of legal firm Preis PLC, working with CDI Dougalss Pye architects and property management firm Gemini Rosemont Realty LLC.

The Miller Law Firm

Garrison Construction Group served as General Contractor for tenant improvements of the office of Houston personal injury law firm The Miller Law Firm, working with CDI Douglass Pye, Inc and Stream Realty Partners.

Bain & Barkley Law

Garrison Construction Group also had the opportunity to serve as General Contractor for tenant improvements at the Houston offices of insurance defense legal firm Bain & Barkley, working with Tanglewood Property Group and JZ Interior Design.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

The Garrison Construction Group team is proud to have completed tenant improvement projects for law firm clients working with and on behalf of leading commercial real estate, property management, and architectural firms.

To learn more about Garrison Construction Group, one of the largest commercial construction project management firms in Houston or to view more of our work please see below.

Garrison Construction Group ranked on the prestigious Inc. 500 list, which highlights the fastest-growing private companies in America, published annually by Inc. Magazine.

Garrison Construction Group ranked No. 424 on the 2020 Inc. 5000 With Three-Year Revenue Growth of 1080% Percent.

Only the top 10% of companies on the Inc. 5000 list are included in the Inc. 500.

On the list, Garrison Construction Group regionally ranked as the fastest-growing construction industry firm in Houston. Find more stats below.

STATS
Garrison Construction Group Rankings Overall and within the Construction Industry

• Nationwide Overall Rank: 424

• Nationwide Industry: 11

• Statewide Industry: 2

• Houston Metro Overall Rank: 7

• Houston Metro Industry: 1

Joining the Ranks of leading companies in a competitive year for the Inc. 5000 List, according to Inc. Magazine

With this honor, Garrison Construction Group joins the ranks of well-known names, like Microsoft, Intuit, Patagonia, Under Armour and others, that according to Inc. Magazine “gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.”

Per Inc. "not only have the companies on the 2020 Inc. 5000 been very competitive... the list as a whole shows staggering growth compared with prior lists" - achieving an incredible three-year average growth of over 500 percent, and a median rate of 165 percent.

About Garrison Construction Group

Founded in 2013, Garrison Construction Group is one of the largest commercial general contractors in Houston.

We specialize in high-end commercial construction. From corporate interiors to capital improvements to ground-up new builds, our team manages commercial construction projects from concept to completion.

More Information / Sources

View the full Inc. 5000 list for 2020 and the Garrison Construction Group profile as a list honoree below.

Introduction

Houston, coined “Space City,” the original home of U.S. manned space flight operations, and the current home of the NASA Johnson Space Center, is a globally recognized space industry hub.

A highly technical field with strict scientific requirements, construction projects for the space industry can at times be more complex than the average commercial build-out.

Garrison Construction Group had the opportunity to serve as general contractor, working with Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), Colliers International Group, Inc., and CDI Douglass Pye, Inc., for construction projects for space industry leaders NanoRacks, Leidos, Airbus DS Space Systems, Inc., and Lockheed Martin. Following are highlights from those projects.

NanoRacks

Building new NanoRacks facility from Phase I to Completion, including cleanroom to house equipment destined for the International Space Station

Garrison Construction Group served as General Contractor from Phase I to Completion, working with with Colliers International, Inc. and CDI Douglass Pye, Inc., to construct new offices for NanoRacks, a company at the forefront of commercial space industry development.

The 22,000 square-foot NanoRacks facility included a “Cleanroom” to house the $20M Bishop Airlock, “the first complex commercially developed and privately owned element on the International Space Station.”

The project also included an avionics lab for electronic systems, a wet lab for biological experiments, offices, meeting spaces, lobby, break room/ kitchen, restrooms and more.

Leidos

A small project, but with specific technical requirements in the Leidos lab helped Garrison Construction Group gain status as a preferred vendor for Jones Lang LaSalle

The project was straightforward and small - install a sink in a Leidos laboratory. The challenge was to install the sink without needing to extensively saw-cut through the concrete foundation.

As General Contractor for the project, Garrison Construction Group installed a specialty pump-down system to allow waste water to be pumped back into main line and to install the sink without extensive concrete damage.

Airbus DS Space Systems, Inc.

Tenant improvements for Airbus offices in Webster, Texas

Garrison Construction Group served as General Contractor, working with with Colliers International and architectural firm CDI Douglass Pye, Inc. for tenant improvements of the Airbus offices serving Johnson Space Center in Webster, Texas.

Lockheed Martin

Tenant Improvements for Lockheed Martin Facilities Exterior

Garrison Construction Group served as General Contractor for exterior tenant improvements at a Lockheed Martin facility serving the Johnson Space Center.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

The Garrison Construction Group team is proud to have completed projects for space industry leaders, working on behalf of leading commercial real estate firms. To learn more about Garrison Construction Group, one of the largest commercial construction project management firms in Houston, or to view more of our work, please see below.

Introduction

The news - and commercial construction industry news - is inundated with updates and predictions regarding COVID-19. As a commercial construction general contractor, the impact of COVID-19 on corporate interior design is on our radar as a top priority.

We’ve culled thorough articles from industry leaders like Colliers International, Gensler and others, and in this post we share just the highlights with you. We hope you find this summary useful.

If you require support in modifying or re-designing your office spaces as your team heads back to the office in a COVID-19 environment, the Garrison Construction Group team is here to help.

Just the Highlights

Following find a brief overview of major themes regarding COVID-19 office design echoed across articles published by Gensler, Colliers International, the BBC and Work Design Magazine.

Short-Term Design Solutions

In uncertain times and as our understanding of COVID-19 develops, property managers and tenants are looking for quick-to-implement and cost effective solutions to create a safer environment and to engender a sense of wellbeing as employees head back to the office.

Here we focus on office design, not to detract from the importance of other related protocols like temperature checks, upgraded cleaning regimens, staff work-from-home rotations, etc.

Design Standouts Include:

• De-densification of workstations

• Installing “sneeze guard” barriers

• Creating more “private offices”

• Reconfiguring group meeting spaces

• Re-designing communal spaces - lobby, break room, etc

• Incorporating anti-microbial materials / treatments

• HVAC upgrades & protocols to improve indoor air quality

• Hands-free tech to open doors, operate elevators, etc

• Installing sink / hand washing areas adjacent to entrances / lobbies and requesting “hand-washing upon entry.”

• Taking queues from healthcare design to apply to corporate interiors.

Material Choice & Coatings

In the COVID-19 environment, material choice matters even more. Anti-microbial surfaces harbor and transmit far fewer organisms than a non-treated surfaces, therefore reducing the spread of infection.

Following find some of the material standouts, primarily from an article published by Work Design Magazine and a BBC interview with Brent Capron, an NYC based interior Bwin Slotsdesign director experienced in healthcare / hospital design.

Featured Materials Include:

• Materials that can withstand heavy cleaning with caustic products, Ex: use stone or laminates and avoid porous surfaces, like wood.

• Solution-dyed carpets with moisture-barrier backing to withstand heavy shampooing. 

• Silver & Copper - and other treatments with anti-microbial properties. Silver/ Copper specific uses include:

  • Surfaces made of steel or aluminum like faucets and door handles can have silver or copper applied to the finished product as a protective coating.

  • Plastic or silicone surfaces like plastic countertops and light switches can incorporate silver or copper

  • Upholstered Surfaces - Silver / Copper can be woven into fabrics used to upholster high-touch surfaces.

Indoor Air Quality

Nearly every article we reviewed highlighted the importance of air quality and implementing measures to help filter bacteria and viruses from indoor environments.

Measures & Retrofits to Existing Buildings Included:

• Air Filtration & HVAC upgrades / retrofits

• Ultra-Violet (UV) light - ex: adding UV lights to HVAC air handlers / inside ductwork or other UV filtration protocols.

• Incorporating outdoor / fresh air - ex: operable windows, outdoor work spaces, HVAC systems that cycle-in outdoor air to dilute / refresh indoor air, etc.

• Air pressurization / anterooms with negative air pressure, sometimes combined with UV to kill bacteria, to prevent cross-contamination - common in healthcare design.

• Biophilic design elements (nature) - ex: plants indoors

Hands-Free Technologies & “Contactless” Offices

Technologies that minimize or eliminate the need for employees to touch “communal” surfaces were predicted to become more common.

Examples included:

• Voice-and-motion activated technologies:

  • Automatic doors

  • Motion-sensing lights

  • Restrooms with motion sensing toilets, sinks, soap / paper-towel dispensers and hands-free ways to open stall doors, ex: foot pulls

  • Conference rooms with voice-activated tech to control lighting, audio-visuals, etc.

• Smartphone apps that control: elevators, coffee machines, etc

• Technology to support “paperless” offices

• Rethinking office kitchens - replaced with automation or a dedicated server

MORE INFORMATION & SOURCES  

Garrison Construction Group is one of the largest commercial general contracting firms in Houston, Texas. To receive industry trend summaries, like this post, and for updates regarding our latest projects, follow us on LinkedIn.

To view the original, source articles, please see below.

• Colliers International - Post COVID-19: Office Design and Market | By Colin Scarlett, Executive Vice President of Colliers International

• Gensler - How Should Office Buildings Change in a Post-Pandemic World? | By Ben Tranel, regional leader in Gensler’s Office Buildings–Developer practice

• Work Design Magazine - Rethinking Workplace Design In The Wake Of COVID-19 | by Megan Hart, a NCIDQ certified, LEED accredited Interior Designer experienced in Healthcare and Corporate Interior Design

• The BBC - How offices will change after coronavirus | By Jessica Mudditt, citing Brent Capron, AIA - Principal, Interior Design Director at Perkins & Will in New York

The opinions expressed by Garrison Construction Group, LLC in this post bwin casinodo not necessarily reflect the opinions of Colliers International, Gensler, Work Design Magazine, the BBC, Brent Capron, or any other source cited within this post. 

The Houston Business Journal named Garrison Construction Group #8 on its 2020 listing of the largest Houston-Area Construction Project Management firms.

The rankings were compiled based on 2019 revenue companywide. See the link below to view the full Houston Business Journal list. Note that a HBJ subscription is required to read the list in its entirety.

Garrison Construction Group served as general contractor for the Gulf Winds International office interior improvements, including conference rooms, offices, reception and lounge areas. Find project images and information below.

SCOPE OF WORK
Tenant Improvements

TENANT
Gulf Winds International

ARCHITECT 
CDI Douglass Pye

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY
Clay Development

LEASING AGENT
Colliers International

SQUARE FOOTAGE
8,837 sq ft

COMPLETED
April 2019

LOCATION
Deer Park, Texas

NanoRacks Provides Unprecedented Commercial Access to Space

Last week (August 28, 2019), the Houston Chronicle published an article highlighting NanoRacks, a company at the forefront of commercial space industry development. According to the article, the NanoRacks Bishop Airlock “will become the first complex commercially developed and privately owned element on the International Space Station.”

Garrison Construction Group Involvement

Garrison Construction Group is proud to serve as General Contractor, working with Colliers International and architectural firm CDI Douglass Pye, to construct the new NanoRacks office, a 22,000 square-foot space located in Webster, Texas.

Following find more information, including excerpts from the Houston Chronicle article, other resources and why we think NanoRacks is so cool.

ABOUT NANORACKS
NanoRacks Reduces Barriers to Entry for Commercial Space Development

NanoRacks on the International Space Station

NanoRacks is the largest commercial user and private investor on the International Space Station and operates permanently installed research platforms, called NanoLabs, aboard the International Space Station. Via this infrastructure, NanoRacks offers companies and institutions unprecedented access to conduct experiments and to launch satellites in space.

Exponential Cost Reduction

According to a Space News Op-ed, NanoRacks has “lowered the cost of launching and testing new satellite technology from space {from between $5M - $10M at decade ago} to under $100,000, and has reduced the lead time for launching to under a year.” For educational research, the Chronicle cites NanoRacks fees as low as $15,000.

$20M Bishop Airlock Project to Further Increase Space Access

As explained by the Chronicle, the $20M Bishop Airlock represents a milestone for both NanoRacks and the overall commercial space industry and “will become the first complex commercially developed and privately owned element on the International Space Station.”

“Five times larger than the airlock NanoRacks currently uses,” the Bishop Airlock will “increase the number and size of satellites, equipment and experiments that can access space.” According to NanoRacks COO Stephanie Purgerson, it will also “increase the amount or research that can happen.”

BIG PICTURE IMPACT
Our Opinion: Good for Quality of Life, Good for Houston

Garrison Construction Group is proud to support the NanoRacks office renovation. In our opinion, NanoRacks and the work they facilitate has the potential to positively impact not only Houston but human-kind quality of life as a whole - no small feat.

Quality of Life: Space Industry Developments

According to NASA’s JPL, many technologies that we enjoy today, from Memory Foam mattresses to camera phones to scratch resistant lenses, “would not have been developed” without space exploration. Now, with increased commercial access to space, Morgan Stanley “estimates that the global space industry could generate revenue of more than $1 trillion by 2040.” Imagine the potential new technologies, from a global telecom network that enables constant connectivity to sustaining human-life on other planets.

Good for Houston: AeroSpace Industry Economic Development

Garrison Construction Group is proudly based in Houston, a city with a long aerospace industry history. Among the burgeoning, commercial space sector, having industry leader NanoRacks in Houston is a plus. According to the Chronicle, Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership President, Bob Mitchell “hopes NanoRacks’ success will lure other commercial space companies to the Clear Lake area.” We hope so too.

NANORACKS OFFICE BUILD-OUT
Bishop Airlock Storage Clean Room & More

Construction In Progress: Offices & Technical Spaces
The still-in-progress build-out of the new, NanoRacks offices is now in its third phase. Garrison Construction Group has served as general contractor since phase one. Upon completion, the 22,000 square-foot facility will house NanoRacks offices, “an avionics lab for electronic systems and a wet lab for biological experiments.”

Bishop Airlock Storage Clean Room Complete
Within the new facility, the 625-square-foot “clean room” that currently houses the $20M Bishop Airlock is already complete. A technically critical space, “visitors must don shoe covers, hairnets and lab coat-like jackets to protect the airlock from lint, hair or small fibers. If these hitchhike to space, they could clog the environmental control systems that make the space station habitable.”

MORE INFORMATION & SOURCES  

For source articles and more information, please see links below.

• Houston Chronicle article written by Andrea Leinfelder and published on August 28, 2019

• Space News article, written by Charles Miller, Bwin online live casinoNanoRacks Co-Founder and serial space entrepreneur

• NanoRacks

• Colliers International

• CDI Douglass Pye

• Bay Area Houston

• NASA JPL - “Technologies Developed from Space Travel”

• Morgan Stanley - “Investing in Space”

The opinions expressed by Garrison Construction Group, LLC bwin casinodo not necessarily reflect the opinions of NanoRacks, Colliers International, CDI Douglass Pye, the Houston Chronicle, Space News, Bay Area Houston or any other source cited within this post  

In particular in transitional, industrial and commercial areas, the mural trend is repurposing empty walls, providing value to business owners, and creating new life in less inhabited areas. Here we explore potential benefits of this trend and Houston murals that are making an impact.

Business Value: Foot Traffic, Property Value & Free Marketing

By no means a new concept, the use of murals by urban commercial developers as a tactic to increase foot traffic and property appeal is increasing. Murals have been proven to attract visitors and locals alike. 

They have also been attributed to increased property value. According to a study conducted in the United Kingdom, “neighborhoods that have a higher proportion of urban art such as murals, outdoor sculptures or even local art events,” have experienced increased market value over time.  

Social media and art enthusiasts alike, and in particular Millennials, actively search for murals to post on social media, increasing foot traffic and hopefully revenue for nearby retailers. Their social media posts are a free form of advertising for businesses and they attract other visitors to come and see the art work for themselves. In particular for businesses that wish to attract the millennial demographic, the mural trend is one to consider.

Photos: Maria Gallegos

Murals by Pandr Design Co.

Photos: Maria Gallegos

Murals in Houston

In Houston alone, there are over one-hundred murals around the city, and more are being added. Recently in Downtown, five murals were painted on the exterior walls of the Fulbright Tower on McKinney Street.

Gelazzi, a gelato ice cream shop in the Heights, has tourists and locals stopping by to take pictures with their Greetings From Houston mural. After capturing a picture of the work of art, visitors will pop in their store and try their desserts.

The Silos at the Sawyer Yards converted warehouses into an art hub and features exterior murals. Due to its increasing popularity, the property continues to expand. Sawyer Yards recently added a new location on Sabine Street with over 48,000 square ft and sixty-seven retail spaces ready to be rented by tenants.

Houston is Inspired, located in downtown’s historic Market Square, is one of the most famous murals in Houston. It was painted by iconic graffiti artist, Mario Figueroa Jr, also commonly known as Gonzo247.

Community Goodwill & Quality of Life
According to Biznow, murals have become increasingly popular because they not only advertise a business, they also provide benefits for cities and their communities. In particular for transitional areas, murals can provide a transformative impact.

In commercial and corporate spaces, murals may increase quality of work environment for tenants. According to an article in Forbes, art can “actually increase employee efficiency, productivity, and creativity.”

The opinions expressed by Garrison Construction Group, LLC bwin casinodo not necessarily reflect the opinions of featured projects or of resources cited within this post . 

DOWNTOWN, MIDTOWN & EADO
Office & Residential High Rises, a High School Opening Downtown & EaDo Nightlife    

Capitol Tower - Sustainable High-Rise in Downtown

Anchored by future tenant Bank of America, the 35-story Capitol Tower will feature 775,000 RSF of office and retail space. Touted by developers as the “most sustainable building in Houston,” Capitol Tower features a rooftop garden, energy efficiency controls, a rainwater collection system, and more.  Slated to open in Q2 2019, the Capitol Tower project is led by Skanska, Gensler, OBJ Landscape Architecture, and Michael Hsu Office of Architecture.

East Village - Dining, Drinks & Nightlife in EaDo

EaDo, the warehouse district just east-of-downtown Houston, has seen rapid gentrification and skyrocketing land values. Now home to nightlife, sports stadiums, residential developments, and more, developers are eager to capitalize on convertible spaces. One example is Ancorian’s East Village, where repurposed buildings house Chapman & Kirby - hybrid restaurant and nightclub, Our / Houston vodka distillery, and restaurant SeaSide Poke. East Village is expanding to open phases II and III this summer.  

HSPVA - Moves from Montrose to Downtown

The new campus of Houston’s High School for the Performing & Visual Arts (HSPVA), a $80M and 168,000 SF project, is slated for completion in Q4 2018.  The school will feature an 800-seat theater, dance and music studios and is located near the theatre district between Caroline and Austin streets. HSPVA is just one of 40 schools being rebuilt or renovated through the HISD $1.89 billion bond program.

Caydon - Residential Tower in Midtown

Characterized by mid rise multifamily and mixed use developments, Midtown will see its first residential highrise in decades.  Caydon Midtown, a 27-story, 357 apartment tower with “high end finishings” and 12,000 SF of retail and restaurant space is slated to open in early 2019.  Australian based developer, Caydon Property Group is leading the project.

UPTOWN & GALLERIA
A Luxury Hotel, Luxury Residential High-Rises & BLVD Expansion

The Post Oak - Luxury Hotel, Residential & Retail

The 680,000 SF luxury development, The Post Oak, will span 10 acres and will include:

• 250 Room, 38-Story Luxury Hotel

• 20 Residential Units

• 35,000 SF of Event Space

• 150,000 SF of Class-A Office Space

• Multiple High-End Restaurants

• An Array of Sophisticated Amenities

Mastro's Steakhouse, a 10K SF restaurant constructed by O'Donnell / Snider and Abel Design Group, is already open on-site. The rest of The Post Oak is expected to open later this year.

BLVD - New Asset Owner Plans Expansion

The mixed use space that Whole Foods calls home already encompases 217,000 SF on Post Oak Boulevard. The BLVD and a 1.4-acre tract land was recently sold for $158 Million. Now, Whitestone REIT plans to build a six-story, mixed-use mid-rise with 91,000 SF of office space. plus 56,000 retail space below.

As part of the BLVD Place development, The Hanover Co. began construction of a new 32-story, 281-unit residential tower located south of Hanover Post Oak.

Arabella -  High-Rise Residential Condo

Add Arabella to the list of several high-rise luxury multifamily developments opened in Houston in recent years.  The Randall Davis developed, 33-story, 100 condo high-rise is already 70% pre-sold with units priced from $875,000 - $4M. The tower will feature ten terrace-top pools costing an average of $162,000 each.

TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER / MUSEUM DISTRICT
An Innovative Medical Campus, Full-Service Hotel, Residential High-Rise & Art Museum Expansion

McNair Campus - Medical Education, Science & Treatment Combine

The $1.1 billion, 27.5-acre, first-of-its-kind medical campus collaboration including a top medical school, a globally-renowned cardiovascular research institute, and a hospital capable of receiving highly complex cases.  

Set for completion in 2019, the 1.2M SF, two-tower campus will house the Baylor College of Medicine, CHI St. Luke’s Health, and the Texas Heart® Institute, and will include 650 hospital beds. JE Dunn is building out the interior of Tower 1 and Tower 2 construction is led by Tellepsen Hunt, a joint venture between Tellepsen and Hunt Construction Group.

Intercontinental Hotel & Latitude Med Center Apartments

The first full-service luxury hotel built in The Texas Medical Center within decades, construction for the 353 guest room, 22-story Intercontinental Hotel is nearly complete.

The hotel will share a lobby with Greystar’s luxury high-rise residential tower, Latitude Med Center.  The 35-story tower will cater to Texas Medical Center professionals and also to patients who may require an extended stay for medical treatments and is slated to open this summer.

Museum of Fine Arts Houston Expansion

The Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH) master development plan will significantly expand the museum campus.  Designed to support a walkable experience with multiple public plazas, the expansion includes two new buildings designed by Steven Holl Architects; a new conservation center, designed by Lake|Flato Architects; and a landscape plan by Deborah Nevins & Associates.  Portions of the project slated for completion in 2018, include the:

• Glassell School of Art & The Brown Foundation, Inc. Plaza - a striking L-Shaped building featuring an event plaza, rooftop garden, public cafe and housing facilities for the Glassell Junior School, Studio School, and Core Program.

• Sarah Campbell Blaffer Foundation Center for Conservation - will house the MFAH conservation team within close proximity to the MFAH for the first time. The building’s glass exterior will allow passerbyers to glimpse art conservation in action.

MORE INFORMATION AND SOURCES

For more information and source articles, please see links below.

• Capitol Tower Website

• HSPVA Downtown

• MFAH Campus Expansion

• TMC McNair Campus

• Latitude Med Center

• InterContinental Hotel Medical Center

• The Post Oak Hotel

• Arabella

• East Village

• HBJ Caydon Midtown

• Projects Reshaping Houston

The opinions expressed by Garrison Construction Group, LLC bwin casinodo not necessarily reflect the opinions of featured projects or of resources cited within this post  

ABOUT FOOD HALLS
A Brief Introduction

Food halls are based on the traditional European marketplace, and recent U.S. food hall projects can be compared to an upscale food-court.  One can expect to find locally sourced food, restaurant and retail kiosks and shared dining space. Food halls make it easy to socialize while enjoying local, artesian fare. Guests can roam from vendor to vendor, choose to sit down at a table or pull up a chair at a community style table.

CBRE attributes the U.S. success of food halls in part to the slow food movement and an increasing consumer interest, particularly amongst millennials, to know what goes into making the food they eat and where it comes from.

A NATIONAL TREND
Recent U.S. Food Hall Projects

According to CBRE, over 25 food halls are under construction or in the planning stages nationwide.  Notable food halls include:  "The Market" in Dallas, opened in 2015.  At 26,000 SF it contains a mixture of local specialty and artisan food vendors, coffee, brews, indoor and outdoor seating areas, and four anchor restaurants.  San Francisco's historic Beaux Arts Ferry was renovated and completed into a 65,000 SF hall. Atlanta created a 9,000 SF mix-use space in a reclaimed warehouse with 27 retails spaces.

HOUSTON FOOD HALLS
Food Halls Slated to Open in Downtown in 2018

In Houston, underground garden and beer hall, The Conservatory, opened in 2016 with 7,500 SF of space, and according to Houston Culture Map, at least three (3) new food halls are slated to open in downtown Houston in 2018.  

One example is Bravery Hall, a 9,000 SF space curated with five restaurant concepts under one roof, each with their own chef-owners and dining experiences.  As traditional to the food hall model, each curated concept will be separately owned and will sign a lease for space within the chef hall.  Bravery is set to open in summer 2018 as the anchor retail tenant at the new Aris Market Square, a 32-story luxury high-rise located across from Market Square Park in downtown Houston.

REPURPOSING HISTORIC LANDMARKS
Food Halls Housed in Historical Buildings

Several food hall concepts are housed in historic or repurposed spaces, including San Francisco's historic Beaux Arts Ferry and the Atlanta food hall in a reclaimed warehouse.  Houston food hall, The Conservatory, was once one of Houston’s first cinemas established 1912.  Other examples include Los Angeles' Grand Central Market, a staple since 1922, but always revamping to stay up to date. Philadelphia's Reading Terminal Market opened in 1892 and still operates today after years of renovations.  

Repurposing older buildings is “a holistic approach to creating a 'new' space while preserving the old and paying a tribute to the history.”  Food hall designs typically encompass large open floor plans, with natural and reusable materials that reflect the quality of food indicative of the food hall trend. 

WHAT FOOD HALLS MEAN FOR BUILDING OWNERS & TENANTS

Increased Utilization, Rental Income & Traffic
Whether new construction or renovations, having a building that can support multiple vendors and a large volume of visitors will help increase rental income for property management firms and building owners.

Trendy, downtown Houston food halls are ideally suited to cater to office-workers for lunch-time business and happy hour, as well as late-night and weekend diners and partygoers.  This extends the income generating hours and exposure for both the food hall venue and tenants, particularly when compared to a traditional downtown "food court," which is limited to weekday-lunch only business.

No One Size Vendor
Food halls provide brick and mortar to vendors who normally may not be able to afford their own space. The halls also don't require "one look" or vendor aesthetic so building managers can lease space to a wider variety of tenant concepts, creating multiple income streams.  The rental model for food halls is proving to be a win for property managers and tenants alike.  As a reference, the "The Market" in Dallas is currently at 100% capacity for its retail space.

Increased Demand for Walkability & Local Vendor Concepts
Commercial high-rise tenants and downton residents alike increasingly look for walkable locations to enjoy locally sourced goods. Those interested in locally and naturally sourced goods also generally have higher disposable incomes and are willing to foot the bill for quality ingredients.

WHY WE CARE

Houston Construction / Renovation Projects
With food halls being a culinary and retail trend, three projects slated for Houston in 2018, and noting that food halls typically occupy repurposed and older spaces, downtown Houston may see an uptick in food-hall-related renovation projects. Houston also has a high vacancy rate for older, open warehouse spaces with central locations, key for food hall venues.

Value for Building Owners, Restauranteurs & Retailers
Food halls are expanding the income generation potential of previously underutilized spaces for property managers and business owners. Food halls are also making it possible for new restaurants, concepts and construction ideas to form and bring together the conveniences of the old with the luxury of the new.  Commercial high-rise property management companies, restaurateurs and retailers alike are our clients, which influences our interest in this trend.

MORE INFORMATION AND SOURCES

For more information and additional source articles, please see links below.

• CBRE Article - Dallas "The Market"

• Culture Map Houston Article

• Bravery Hall Houston Website

• The Conservatory Houston Website

The opinions expressed by Garrison Construction Group, LLC bwin casinodo not necessarily reflect the opinions of Colliers International or any other resource cited within this post  

A REPEAT OF THE 1980'S OIL BUST? 

In 2009-2014, when oil and gas was increasing, Houston markets felt it.  An increase of jobs, investments, property, and equipment added to the economic boom during these high times. When markets fell in 2015, many “outsiders...declared that it would be the 1980’s all over again.” The downturn led to broken commitments and contracts within Houston’s industrial real estate market, but Houston did not experience a repeat of the 1980's oil bust, a testament to the city's now more diversified economy.

INDUSTRIAL REAL ESTATE BRINGS A BALANCE
E-commerce warehousing on the rise

While the energy industry was experiencing a downturn, Houston was simultaneously acquiring a larger share of e-commerce warehouse distribution facilities. Houston’s geographic location as a central point to other major cities, role as a major consumer market as the nations fourth largest city, interstate highway connectivity and accessibility to the Port of Houston naturally brought organic growth within the sector. 

Significant examples include multi-million square feet investments from Amazon, UPS, FedEx, Wal-Mart, Home Depot and others to be “closer to to the end users of their products.”  This e-commerce boom led to a higher demand for Houston and increased new construction, rental rates, job growth, and output of petrochemical plants.

INDUSTRIAL REAL ESTATE FORECAST
Vacancy, leasing rates & new construction 

New construction impacted vacancy, leasing, and construction starts within the industrial real estate sector. Following is a recap of trends reported by Colliers International.

Vacancy Rates Increasing
In the last quarter of 2017, Houston saw an increase in vacancy rates, including “28.1M square feet of vacant industrial space for direct lease, and an additional 1.6M square feet of vacant sublease space.” Market indicators forecast that vacancy will continue to increase, with the North Corridor holding the largest vacancy rate at 7.7%.

Leasing Rates Increasing
During the fourth quarter of 2017, leasing rates increased, reaching 5.6M in square feet at $6.83/ square foot.

New Construction Still Increasing
Indicators forecast that new construction will increase as current under construction projects are being completed. A large portion of the construction is spent on industrial space mostly with distribution warehouses sectors.

HOUSTON MARKETS CAN ADAPT

In summary, Houston markets have shown an "ability to adapt to continually evolving economic forces,” with commercial real estate and in particular industrial real estate playing a key role in balancing the Houston economy during the recent downturn in oil and gas. 

WHY WE CARE

The health of the commercial real estate sector and demand for commercial general contracting services go hand in hand.  Having a pulse on trends in the Houston commercial real estate market, including industrial, office and retail, helps us to better anticipate and serve market needs.  

MORE INFORMATION & SOURCES  

For more information on the Colliers International report for Houston 2017 Q4 Industrial Real Estate click here.  

The opinions expressed by Garrison Construction Group, LLC bwin casinodo not necessarily reflect the opinions of Colliers International or any other resource cited within this post  

New Industrial Construction Up

For the industrial real estate sector in Houston overall, including warehouse, manufacturing, distribution and other industrial spaces, Colliers International reports new construction deliveries up, at 3.4M SF in Q1 2017 compared to 2.1M SF in Q1 2016, 2.6M SF in Q2 2016 and 2.2M SF in Q4 2016.  Notably, one 2016 quarter (Q3) was significantly higher in new construction deliveries at 6.3M SF. 

Distribution Warehouse New Construction
Port of Houston, Amazon & FedEx

Colliers International cites the breakdown of existing Houston industrial real estate by type as follows, with distribution warehouse space the third most prevalent industrial real estate type after general warehousing and manufacturing facilities.

56% Warehouse
17% Manufacturing
14% Distribution
7% Other
2% Service / Showroom
1% R&D 

According to Colliers International, most of the new construction over the last year in the industrial sector has been for distribution warehouse space, with the area surrounding the Port of Houston a hot spot and distribution centers for Amazon and FedEx planned in other Houston areas. 

Port of Houston
38% of Current New Industrial Construction

Colliers International reports that more than 38% of the 4.9M SF of industrial real estate currently under construction, at the time of the Q1 2017 report, is located near the Houston Ship Channel and the Port of Houston. 

The Port of Houston is the largest U.S. port for foreign waterborne tonnage, accounts for 16% of Texas total GDP, and is continuing to grow.  According to an April 2017 Port of Houston Authority press release, Q1 2017 tonnage was reported at 11% higher compared to Q1 2016, largely due to an 18% increase in container volume.

Future Growth for the Port of Houston
$1.6B In Improvements Over Next 5 Years

The Port of Houston is poised to grow.  According to a Boston Consulting Group Report, the Panama Canal expansion completed last year could shift as much as 10% of container traffic between East Asia and the U.S. from West Coast U.S. ports to East Coast U.S. ports by the year 2020. 

Although benefits to the Port of Houston are still unknown, the port is ramping up facilities to take advantage of the anticipated shift. According to the Texas Comptroller, the Port of Houston Authority plans to spend $1.6B on improvements in the next five years. Neighboring Port Freeport, due to its depth and proximity to open water, is considered best poised among Texas ports to accommodate the larger ships traversing the Panama Canal.  

With the canal expansion, Houston’s role as a global energy hub also positions the Port of Houston to grow, particularly for the transport of LNG and other petro-chemicals. The Texas Comptroller cites that prior to the canal expansion, only 6% of LNG tankers could traverse the canal. Now, 90% can.

Amazon, FedEx & More
Largest Current Industrial Construction Project in Houston

Planned Amazon distribution centers in Houston include a 1M SF distribution center in Katy announced in March 2017 and a currently under construction, 855K SF Amazon Fulfillment Facility in north Houston at Hines’ Pinto Business Park that is scheduled for delivery in July 2017.  Notably, Colliers International cites the Amazon north Houston facility as the largest industrial project currently under construction at the time of the Q1 2017 report.  

FedEx has an 800K SF facility under construction at 8787 W Grand Pky N. scheduled for delivery in August 2017.  Hines Securities is developing a 112K SF distribution warehouse at 14453 Hillcroft St that has not yet been leased and is scheduled to be completed in June 2017.

Houston Economy & Market Drive Growth

The fact that overall industrial new construction is up from 2016 to 2017, is a testament to the strength of the Houston economy and attractiveness of the Houston market.  This, despite the impact of the energy industry downturn in recent years.  According to the Greater Houston Partnership, if the Houston MSA were an independent nation, it would rank as the world’s 26th largest economy, behind Belgium ($527.8 billion), but ahead of Norway ($511.6 billion).   

Where construction surrounding the Port of Houston is related to Houston’s position as a global transportation and logistics hub, the industrial construction for Amazon, FedEx and others, can likely be attributed to the size and growth of the Houston market overall.

Why We Care

The health of the commercial real estate sector and demand for commercial general contracting services go hand in hand.  Having a pulse on trends in the Houston commercial real estate market, including industrial, office and retail, helps us better anticipate and serve market needs. 

More Information & Sources

For more information on the Colliers International reports for Houston commercial real estate sectors, including industrial, office and retail please click here.  To view the Q1 2017 Colliers International report for Industrial Real Estate in the Houston market, please click here.

Other Sources

Texas Comptroller report click here
Boston Consulting Group report click here
Port of Houston press release click here
Greater Houston Partnership statistic click here

The opinions expressed by Garrison Construction Group, LLC bwin casinodo not necessarily reflect the opinions of Colliers International or any other resource cited within this post.

Downtown Houston has seen a lot of development in the last decade: the MetroRail expansion, Discovery Green Park, more residential units, the revitalization of Buffalo Bayou park, new hotels, restaurants and entertainment in Green Street and Avenida Houston, and a revival of the Main Street nightlife scene.   

The Downtown Development Map linked below highlights recently completed or soon to open office, residential, hotel and other developments within downtown Houston as of January 2017, according to the Plan Downtown project.

Why We Care

The development of downtown Houston benefits not only those who work or live downtown, or even Houstonians who only occasionally visit downtown for an event, festival or theatrical performance.  Downtown improvements will also grow the Houston economy by elevating the city’s profile as a potential host for world-class events such as the recent SuperBowl LI, estimated to have produced $350 million net economic impact, and by making Houston a more attractive destination for the relocation and investment of businesses and individuals.

Planned downtown developments and a better Houston economy overall are also good for the Houston commercial construction industry, which is why we choose to highlight this topic.

What’s Next for Downtown?

The Plan Downtown project, is developing the next phase of improvements for downtown Houston and is scheduled to launch this fall.  A 20 year vision, the goal of Plan Downtown is to recommend and implement public and private initiatives that position downtown at the forefront in leading Houston’s advancement as a great, global city.

Who is Involved

Plan Downtown is a collaboration of the partner organizations listed below and a 150-member Steering Committee comprised of business leaders, elected officials, developers, social and non-profit organizations, downtown residents and emerging millennials.  Public opinion will also inform the Plan Downtown project, through public surveys and engagement.

Plan Downtown Focus Areas

Build Downtown
What are the competitive advantages of Downtown, and how do we build on those?

Green Downtown
How do we take advantage of and extend networks of green space?

Connect Downtown
How can Downtown better connect to its adjacent neighborhoods?

Move Downtown (Transportation)
How do we balance the needs of commuters with the desire for more livable streets?

Work Downtown
How does Downtown attract the future workforce?

Visit Downtown
What makes Downtown a competitive destination for regional, national, and international visitors?

Live Downtown
Who are Downtown’s residents, and who are we trying to attract in the future?

Play Downtown
How can we complement and replicate the success of existing public spaces?

Learn Downtown
How does Downtown leverage schools and universities to foster innovation and attract new office and residential populations?

Plan Downtown Partners

• Houston Downtown Management District

• Houston First Corporation

• Central Houston, Inc.

• Downtown Redevelopment Authority / TIRZ No.3

• Buffalo Bayou Partnership

• City of Houston

• Harris County

• Theater District Houston

• East Downtown Management District

• Midtown Management District

• Greater East End Management District

• Greater Northside Management District

For More Information

Please visit the Plan Downtown website.  Select content and PDFs in this post are sourced from the Plan Downtown website.  Opinions expressed by Garrison Construction Group, LLC do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Plan Downtown project.

Within a few weeks Brookfield Property Partners’  Design Hive Houston is scheduled to unveil its Office of the Future project in the iconic 1600 Smith Street building in downtown Houston. The Houston Business Journal and Construction Dive both recently featured the project, and in this post, we recap the project highlights and share what we like about it.

About the Office of the Future Project

Four architecture firms with a strong Houston presence: Gensler, Rottet Studio, Ziegler Cooper and Inventure Design, were each invited by Brookfield to design an office suite that represents their vision for an Office of the Future on the #37th floor of 1600 Smith. O'Donnell Snider is the general contractor.

Each architecture firm was given a budget, but no client, and was tasked with incorporating cutting edge technologies and work habits within a space that had not been significantly renovated since 1984.

The project is designed to encourage innovation, creating workspaces that reflect our evolving work styles.  With the rise of millennials in the workplace, a trend towards mobility, collaborative spaces, incorporating daylight, increasing technologies and virtual interface, our office spaces should reflect those changing needs.

Check out a video highlighting the project here.  

What we Like about the Project

The fact that this project is a renovation of 1984 office space, as opposed to a new build or newer building, is nice to see.  Creating an Office of the Future environment within the framework of an existing, and perhaps dated structure, is a practical case study.  Houston has a large inventory of existing office space, and this project will be an example of possible renovations and improvements that can transform a space to meet the needs of a contemporary work environment.

Simply put, we appreciate good commercial and office space design, and this Bwin sports bettingproject is intended to highlight just that.  The designs are set to be revealed later this month.

Lastly, we like the fact that Houston was selected to host this competition.   In 2015, Design Hive launched with a similar competition in a building in Downtown Los Angeles.  Design Hive Houston will be the second such concept. We love to see our hometown selected for high-profile or innovative events, including this project. 

More Information & Source

For more information regarding Design Hive Houston, please click here

Opinions expressed by Garrison Construction Group, LLC bwin casinodo not necessarily reflect the opinions of Design Hive or other sources or partners cited in this post.

Concrete: Prevalent but Understudied

AIA cites that concrete is the second most consumed product, after water, by the human race.  Despite its pervasiveness, recent discoveries made by the materials science team at Rice University demonstrate that the calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H) particles in concrete can be "programmed" to take on a desired shape or molecular formation. 

Rice U. Vision: A Better Concrete

Rice predicts that the technology can be used to produce a concrete that is stronger, denser and better protects reinforced steel inside the concrete. In addition to this being a promising concept, we love to see a Houston institution recognized by prestigious, national organizations like the AIA. 

Emerging Construction Material: CLT

AIA also highlighted a new hardwood cross-laminated timber (CLT), touted for its environmental benefits, strength and aesthetic appeal.  AIA cites the use of softwood-based engineered lumber / CLT in new methods for tall building construction as an eco-friendly alternative to concrete and steel.  CLT is considered more ecologically friendly, as a rapidly renewable and carbon sequestering material.  Now, the emergence of a hardwood CLT, provides a stronger (stronger than concrete by weight) and better looking CLT alternative.  

Typical CLT consists of softwood spruce.  Now, North American tulipwood, a stronger, rapid-growing and more aesthetically pleasing option has entered the market.  The tulipwood CLT can also be produced in extra large sizes for large-scale projects. Stuttgart-based manufacturer Züblin is marketing the product under the name Leno CLT.

More Information & Source

To check out the full AIA Journal article, please click here

Opinions expressed by Garrison Construction Group, LLC bwin casinodo not necessarily reflect the opinions of AIA or other sources cited in this post.