Whilst not an unknown material for construction , thermochromic tiles and roof panels have been thrust back into the spotlight due to the market demand for eco-buildings . Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( MIT ) have invented a smart roofing material that takes a new thermal-management approach to eco-design . Their Thermeleon material is a composite of layers that makes it thermochromic , meaning on exposure to heat it changes colour from black to white .

The upshot is that when the sun is shining , a black roof tile covered in the material turns white , reflecting up to 80 % of the sunlight and thus keeping the building beneath it cooler . The result ? A 20 % reduction in cost to keep the interior at a comfortable temperature in the summer , a figure which also comes with an eco-friendly drop in electricity supply demands .

Virtual reality ( VR ) has finally made its way out of the gaming industry and into the real world . From 3D walk throughs to sell a property , to 3D VR modelling used to pitch architectural projects , there are numerous benefits to adopting this technology . In addition to the increased efficiencies and reduced costs , it can allow builders to stand out from the crowd when marketing their property to consumers and gain an edge on their competitors .

One such VR process which is widely used in construction is building information modelling ( BIM ). Using this system not only provides a model , it also offers data management capabilities that can keep the project team on the same page at all stages of the build , from conception to construction documentation and maintenance .

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