Cutting Through the Hype in Construction Tech
Today’s construction industry is overflowing with tech solutions promising speed, precision, and efficiency. As McKinsey notes, “connecting data to deep analytical systems can increase productivity by 15 percent and reduce costs by 6 percent across the board for construction companies.” But with constant innovation, distinguishing between meaningful tools and temporary hype is more important than ever.
Skender’s Strategy: Purpose-Driven Innovation
In a recent article, Building Design and Construction profiled Skender, a Chicago-based general contractor known for taking a deliberate approach to tech adoption. Tools like Procore and Revit form the foundation of their workflow, allowing teams to focus on field-tested tools that integrate smoothly across scheduling, documentation, and BIM coordination.
Visualizing Job Sites with New Tools
Skender is pushing boundaries with Gaussian splatting, a technique that creates photorealistic 3D models in complex conditions where photogrammetry falls short. Paired with thermal drones, this method helped identify hidden roof issues during a recent project at the Nuveen building in Chicago.
Precision in Practice
On their Passive House project at Fifth City Commons, Skender used laser scanners to confirm slab levelness before pours and combined thermal drones with blower door tests to locate and fix air leaks. They also utilized cmBuilder to plan logistics in 3D over time—bringing another level of control to the jobsite.
Taking a Measured Approach to AI
While AI tools are on the horizon, Skender is focused on quality data and practical outcomes. As senior technologist Ben Stocker puts it: “We’ve never been believers in rushing to do something just because people are talking about it. We take our time, and we do it right—for the benefit of our clients and their projects.”
For more information about lidar and BIM, read AI and Scan to BIM Revolutionizes Architectural Design.
