Blogs

Construction in the Arctic Most contractors have complained about the weather at some point. It's too hot. It's too cold. It's raining. It's windy. The ground is muddy. But construction in the Arctic takes weather complaints to an entirely different level. Across Alaska, northern Canada, Greenland, and other Arctic regions, contractors work in conditions that can affect almost every part of a construction project. Extreme cold affects workers and equipment. Frozen ground affects foundations. Rem …

Scaffolding in Japan Japan is a country where ancient temples can stand only a short distance from modern skyscrapers. It's also a country where construction has to deal with challenges that many contractors will never encounter. Dense cities. Limited space. Earthquakes. Typhoons. Aging buildings. And some of the highest expectations for organization and precision in the world. All of this makes scaffolding in Japan an interesting stop in our Scaffolding Around the World series. Because when spa …

Building Skyscrapers in Dubai When most people think about construction challenges, they think about height. And in Dubai, there is certainly plenty of that. Home to some of the tallest buildings on Earth, Dubai has become a symbol of modern engineering and ambitious construction. Towering skyscrapers rise from the desert, transforming what was once a relatively small city into one of the most recognizable skylines in the world. But building skyscrapers in Dubai requires more than simply reachin …

Restoring Europe's Cathedrals Some construction projects are measured in months. Some are measured in years. The restoration of Europe's great cathedrals is often measured in generations. Long before modern construction equipment existed, master craftsmen built some of the most remarkable structures the world has ever seen. Towering spires, intricate stone carvings, stained glass windows, flying buttresses, and massive vaulted ceilings still dominate the skylines of cities across Europe hundreds …

Bamboo Scaffolding in Hong Kong: An Ancient Method Still Reaching New Heights When most people picture scaffolding, they imagine steel frames, aluminum components, guardrails, and engineered systems designed to support workers high above the ground. So imagine the surprise many people experience when they learn that some construction crews in Hong Kong still use bamboo scaffolding on projects that reach dozens of stories into the air. At first glance, it sounds impossible. Bamboo? For skyscraper …