Editor profile
Editor, Sustainable Construction
Marcus Sterling covers the transition toward low-carbon building practices and sustainable urban development. He focuses on eco-friendly materials and green energy integration.
marcus.sterling@engineeringbrief.orgA new study evaluated the economic feasibility of automation in modular building manufacturing, with results showing that automation can reduce production time by 40%, lower labor costs by 69.7%, and achieve a payback period of about 3 years, providing a sustainable solution for affordable housing construction.
In the second quarter of 2026, investment in industrial, manufacturing, and supply chain facility projects in the southeastern United States remained strong, with 375 new projects tracked and confirmed investments exceeding $23.7 billion. Key drivers included the automotive, aerospace, food and beverage, and data center sectors.
The UK government plans to restrict car manufacturers from exaggerating their advertising of autonomous driving features, and the new regulations will have a profound impact on smart transportation infrastructure construction and the engineering industry.
This week's US engineering industry updates: The Richmond-San Rafael Bridge in San Francisco receives a $107.5 million painting and coating restoration contract; Jacobs provides engineering design services for Navy and Marine Corps facilities; Skanska signs a $94 million data center contract in Virginia.
In the Cheshire countryside of England, contractor Russell WBHO is advancing a renovation project for a high-end hotel and golf resort, aiming to upgrade facilities and enhance the region's tourism appeal.
Industrial SalesLeads report shows that in Q2 2026, the number of planned industrial manufacturing projects in North America increased by 8.72% quarter-over-quarter, with 162 new projects added in June, including 20 with investments exceeding $100 million. The largest project is Convalt Energy’s $5 billion manufacturing campus.
Swedish contractor Skanska has secured two contracts in the United States with a total value of $580 million, while STV has established a Chief Technology Officer position and Fluor has adjusted its senior management structure, reflecting trends in the engineering industry towards digitalization and business diversification.
The building materials and distribution sector maintained steady capital investment through May 2026, with 212 projects tracked. USG Corporation's $1.2 billion facility in Texas leads planned investments.
April 2026 U.S. construction industry data shows that although data centers and public infrastructure remain the main drivers, indicators such as planning, groundbreaking, and backlog orders indicate that other sectors are beginning to recover, and industry activities are diversifying.
Indian engineering consulting company Clancy Global celebrates its 20th anniversary, evolving from an MEP outsourcing company into a multidisciplinary consultancy offering technologies such as BIM and digital twins, having completed over 800 projects across 60 cities. This article analyzes its development path, technology applications, and impact on the Indian engineering consulting industry.
In April 2026, UK industrial construction activity indicators showed a broad decline, with contract awards down 55% year-on-year and planning permissions decreasing by 18%, reflecting weak market confidence and slowing investment.
Oriente Green Campus in Lisbon, Portugal transforms a long-stalled, unfinished shopping center into a technology and laboratory office park. The project retains most of the original concrete structure and, through photovoltaics, passive shading, and courtyard-style spatial reconfiguration, reflects the global engineering and construction trend at the intersection of reuse, carbon reduction, and urban renewal.