Kaushal Diwan, from DPR's Innovation Group and WND Ventures, emphasizes the growing significance of utilizing technology and materials pilots to advance construction practices. These innovations not only promise to improve safety but also drive sustainability and efficiency, helping to address some of the most pressing challenges in the construction industry.

DPR’s new office building project in Santa Clara, California, is being used as a cutting-edge testing ground for a variety of new technologies and processes that aim to redefine the construction process. The building, a renovation of an existing structure from 1980, spans 131,000 square feet and is incorporating several groundbreaking innovations. Among these are sustainable solutions such as mass timber construction, which helps offset carbon emissions, and a specialized lower-carbon concrete mix designed to reduce CO2 output by 38%. This mix is a result of collaboration with structural engineers GPLA and DPR’s self-perform work teams, and includes materials like fly ash, slag, and waste CO2 that are abundant in the Bay Area.

One of the standout innovations being piloted in the Santa Clara office is Hyperframe’s snap-together steel framing system, a collaboration between DPR and WND Ventures. Traditional steel framing is time-consuming and labor-intensive, but Hyperframe offers a more efficient solution. Using advanced Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology, the snap-together system allows for a more streamlined construction process, reducing labor requirements and improving productivity. Unlike conventional methods, which require screws and specialized tools, Hyperframe components simply clip together, guided by QR codes that display visual prompts on mobile devices. Initially, the system used Mixed Reality headsets, but feedback from workers led to a shift to a more accessible and user-friendly mobile app, compatible with iPhones and iPads. The results have been impressive—Hyperframe’s system has increased productivity by three times compared to traditional framing.

In addition to the framing system, the project also integrates robotics to further enhance efficiency and reduce strain on workers. The Jaibot, an overhead drilling robot produced by Hilti, and Dusty Robotics’ FieldPrinter, which automates layout tasks, are both being tested at the site. The Jaibot helps reduce the physical strain involved in overhead drilling, while Dusty’s FieldPrinter streamlines the process of transferring data from BIM to the field, automatically printing critical information directly onto the floor. These technologies significantly boost the efficiency of tasks that would typically require more manual labor, making construction projects safer and faster.

As part of the long-term approach to innovation, DPR is also incorporating facility management software called SiteLine, developed by VueOps, a strategic partner. SiteLine acts as a digital twin for the building, providing a centralized, searchable digital model that tracks assets and can analyze equipment performance over time. This tool allows teams to make informed decisions regarding repairs and upgrades, ensuring the building operates efficiently throughout its lifecycle.

Kaushal Diwan highlights that while piloting new technologies and materials is a crucial path for the construction industry’s progress, the process involves both successes and setbacks. However, even when some innovations don’t scale across all projects, there is always value in learning from these experiments. Whether it’s improving construction processes, reducing environmental impacts, or ensuring worker safety, the pilot projects at DPR’s Santa Clara office are paving the way for a more sustainable, efficient, and safer future in construction.

The key takeaway from DPR’s approach to innovation is that continuous testing and piloting of new technologies and materials are vital to identifying solutions that can address the growing demands for sustainable and efficient construction. By focusing on technology-driven improvements, the company aims to transform the industry, making it safer for workers, more sustainable for the environment, and more efficient in terms of project timelines and costs.