Author: AU News Bureau

JAPAN BUILD Tokyo, RX Japan’s premier trade show for building and housing, returns December 11-13, 2024, at Tokyo Big Sight. The 2024 edition promises enhanced focus on emerging trends and a dynamic new showcase, Tile World, featuring global tile market innovations. Last year’s event drew a record 34,443 visitors. “The construction industry evolves rapidly, driven by technology and sustainability,” says Bunta Koyasu, Show Director. “We adapt to offer relevant solutions.” Tile World, within the Building Material & Housing Equipment Expo, showcases extensive tile arrays from traditional ceramics to cutting-edge glass and stone materials. Digital Construction Expo returns, featuring BIM and…

Brouns & Co, a UK-based manufacturer of historically accurate, sustainable linseed paints, has formally entered the US market. The company now offers local stockholding and distribution from New Hampshire, a dedicated US website, and localized billing and payments. Michiel Brouns, founder, cited the US market’s rapid growth, driven by architectural styles requiring natural components and reduced carbon footprint. US customers can now purchase directly from Brouns’ US subsidiary, reducing shipping times and costs. The company maintains its high-quality standards, using traditional triple roller manufacturing processes. Brouns collaborates with US architects and preservation bodies on projects like President Washington’s Mount Vernon…

Global CRE (Commercial Real Estate) company JLL recently launched JLL Falcon, an artificial intelligence (AI) platform designed to accelerate the digital transformation of the CRE industry. The platform combines JLL’s proprietary data with generative AI models to deliver timely insights, cost savings, and revenue growth. JLL Falcon will power various CRE applications, including custom assistants, and features multi-modal AI foundation models, data pipelines, security and natural language processing. “The platform combines JLL’s expertise with advanced technology, transforming how we work and delivering enhanced outcomes for our people and clients,” said Mihir Shah, CEO, JLL Technologies. JLL Falcon will also enhance…

House of Hiranandani, a premium Indian real estate brand, has announced a strategic investment of Rs 12,500 crore to expand its presence in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) over the next 24 months. The company plans to develop luxury residential and commercial properties, totaling 7.3 million square feet, across key urban pockets in MMR. This move aims to capitalize on the region’s infrastructure growth and rising demand for premium spaces. Key projects include a 25-acre integrated development in Hiranandani Estate, Thane, and luxury towers like ‘Castalia’ in Kandivali and ‘Belicia’ in Panch Pakhadi, Thane. The company is also redeveloping 15-acre projects…

Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) has revealed its design for The Grove, a new seafront neighborhood and marina in Qetaifan Island North, Qatar. The development features 293 apartments with expansive views of Qetaifan Bay and the Lusail skyline, centered around a waterfront promenade. The promenade will host neighborhood restaurants, cafes, local stores, and boutiques, while residents can enjoy outdoor dining and recreation year-round thanks to passive design techniques and cutting-edge cooling technologies. The Grove prioritizes sustainability, incorporating shading, low-carbon concrete, and on-site renewables to minimize consumption. Energy-efficient systems, including geothermal heat pumps and photovoltaic panels, will supplement renewable energy. Rainwater harvesting…

The Architects’ Journal (AJ) recently launched the 30th edition of AJ Small Projects, celebrating outstanding architecture on modest budgets. The annual awards recognize schemes with contract values of £399,000 or less, encompassing home extensions, workspaces, pavilions, and small houses. Since its inception in 1995, AJ Small Projects has honored innovative, budget-friendly designs. This year’s competition follows the success of Hayatsu Architects and Grizedale Arts’ 2024 win for The Farmer’s Arms Cold Food Store. The jury praised the project’s cultural exchange and community engagement. Other notable winners included Artefact’s Triangle House, Topo Architects’ The NewBridge Project, and Commonbond Architects’ Gardenhide Studio.…

Ajay Kapur, CEO of Ambuja Cements, forecasts a 4-5% growth in cement demand for FY25, driven by robust infrastructure activity and ongoing housing and commercial sector needs. “Strong infrastructure demand and ongoing needs from housing and commercial sectors will boost cement demand in H2FY25,” Kapur stated. The government’s focus on infrastructure development and initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Urban Housing II will contribute to this growth. Ambuja Cements aims to increase its green power capacity, targeting 60% of its total power mix. The company will invest Rs. 10,000 crore in 1GW solar and wind power projects and add waste…

Shriram Properties Limited (SPL) has signed a Joint Development Agreement for a prime 6-acre land parcel in Undri, Pune, with an estimated revenue potential of ₹700-750 crores. The mixed-use project, spanning over 1 million square feet, will comprise 650+ apartments and retail/commercial spaces, to be developed over four years. The project promises effortless access to IT/ITeS spaces, retail, premium educational institutions, and central parts of the city. SPL Chairman & Managing Director, Murali Malayappan, stated, “This investment aligns with our asset-light strategy for accelerated growth. Pune is a promising market, and we see significant potential for large, established brands like…