Based on the premise that modern construction projects face countless challenges, including the management of large workforces, the partnership will establish a seamless connection between physical access control and workforce intelligence by providing project teams with actionable data and measurable results.

The partnership will leverage ZKTeco USA’s hardware offerings, which include turnstiles, gates, and biometric scanners, as the frontline security for a range of worksites where only authorized personnel are able to access the site in accordance with strict safety and compliance standards.

The access and occupancy data is processed by Kwant’s powerful AI engine, which optimizes the value of ZKTeco USA’s hardware, converting the raw entry data into deep insights that drive safety, efficiency, and compliance.

“Biometric authentication combined with AI-enabled video surveillance ensures the highest levels of safety, security, and operational efficiency for any worksite,” the companies noted. In fast-paced urban markets like New York City, these solutions provide the speed and security required to meet rising access management expectations.

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Researchers have developed an innovative scientific proposal to use the seaweed in the manufacture of eco-friendly building materials that can improve the thermal and structural properties of buildings.

Dr. Julio César Cruz Argüello, a professor and researcher at the institution, announced that after months of scientific analysis and laboratory testing, they have identified new applications for the sargassum as a component in construction materials that promise to function as thermal insulation, which have the potential to reduce interior temperatures by up to seven degrees Celsius.

One of the greatest challenges faced by the research team is the presence of heavy metals and salts accumulated in the material from its time in the ocean, but through a specialized chemical process, they managed to successfully clean and treat the materials for suitable integration into cement mixtures and other construction compounds. Incorporating processed sargassum into these mixtures can reduce the amount of concrete needed for wall and ceiling finishes by up to 30 percent.

The material’s insulating properties help to reflect heat, which is ideal for warm climate zones like southern Quintana Roo. By creating cooler spaces, this subsequently drives down demand for continuous use of fans and air conditioning systems, which further improves environmental performance.

The technical information for manufacturing these materials is complete and the project is moving into the first phase of community implementation. Consultation and facilitation will take place in the community of Xcalak, where people will have access to the materials for their own use and home improvements.

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“We had 28,000 occupancies last year. In a normal year, we’d have 13,000 to 14,000. We’re talking over double in one year,” said Reid Hendry, the city’s Chief Housing Officer, of the annual performance. These figures were up from 21,365 the previous year.

“On any given street, we’re seeing stacked townhomes, we’re seeing duplexes, we’re seeing singles with suites in the backyard or across the lane,” said Teresa Goldstein, the city’s Chief Planner. “We are offering additional housing choices. It’s getting people into areas where they may not have been able to afford that single-family home.”

According to the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB), the extra supply is decreasing home prices, while sales have slowed. The organization’s January housing report shows that home sales were down nearly 15 percent year over year, with the benchmark price falling about five percent over the same period.

Slowed sales are being especially felt in the high-density market. With migration to Alberta slowing, increased supply has led apartment-style homes to a benchmark price that is eight percent lower than a year ago.

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The project, which is the largest investment by a life sciences company in the state to date, has received $100 million in support from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Construction is slated to begin this year. The state is also providing up to $5 million to a local community college or technical school to offer workforce development services. The project was accelerated under Pennsylvania’s Permit Fast Track Program.

“To meet increasing demand, we’re expanding our U.S. manufacturing network, with Lehigh Valley adding capacity for next-generation weight-loss medicines,” David Ricks, Eli Lilly Chair and CEO, said in a statement. “We’re creating high-quality jobs and collaborating across the region—with suppliers, educators, and workforce-development partners—to make critical medicines in the U.S.”

The manufacturing facility will feature advanced technologies including AI, integrated monitoring, and data analytics to optimize efficiency and reliability across operations. This is part of a greater push by the manufacturer to invest more than $50 billion to construct and refurbish its U.S. factories as part of its reshoring efforts and to remain competitive with other players in the space who have made similar investments in the U.S.

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Companies who respond to the RFI have the opportunity to register to be part of a public directory of MMC providers which intends on raising awareness of the sector’s capacity and expertise, generating information which BCH can use to inform upcoming prequalification processes and identify high-potential MMC firms for future housing projects.

From volumetric modular builders to panelized system manufacturers and design-build firms, the goal is to encourage a broad range of companies to participate. While participation does not guarantee future work, it will offer companies the chance to take the lead in shaping procurement strategies and drive interest in BCH-led developments.

“Modern methods of construction can transform how we build homes—making delivery faster, more cost-effective, and more consistent,” said Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson. “This RFI is an opportunity for Canadian firms to help shape the future of housing in Canada,” by creating a scalable approach to addressing Canada’s persistent housing shortage.

“Canada needs innovative solutions to meet the urgent demand for affordable housing,” said BCH Chief Executive Officer Ana Bailão. “Modern methods of construction offer a faster, smarter way to build, and this RFI is about partnering with industry to unlock that potential at scale.”

About BCH: Build Canada Homes (BCH) is a federal agency that was launched on September 14, 2025, to scale up affordable housing supply. The mandate seeks to leverage public land and flexible financial tools and to serve as a catalyst for modern construction approaches. Together with non-profits, Indigenous organizations, private developers, and all orders of government, the goal is to collectively accelerate housing delivery. This includes the prioritization of Canadian materials and factory-built housing and other MMC approaches, helping create predictable demand, strengthen domestic supply chains, and support job creation in the housing sector.

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New worker demand comes primarily from retirements and attrition, as one-fifth of the construction workforce is over the age of 55. Training takes years and institutional memory and experience is hard to replace. Something will need to be done to avoid a climbing deficit. “Failing to do so will worsen labor shortages, especially in certain occupations and regions, placing further upward pressure on labor costs,” ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu warned in a statement.

ABC sees overall construction spending returning to growth for the first time in years, and based on its model, every additional $1 billion spent on construction equates to new demand for 3,450 jobs. Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and Oracle are expected to spend a combined $700 billion this year, up from $400 billion last year, with much of that dedicated to AI, chips, and data centres.

The inability to fill these positions will worsen the labor shortage and lead to project delays, which pushes costs higher. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, last year, 92 percent of construction firms are having difficulty finding qualified workers. Given that AI projects are typically more lucrative for construction firms, it can also lead to greater shortages in other sectors, including residential, factory, and healthcare projects.

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