For years, ecologists have longed for the technology to be able to survey entire forests, knowing what kind of species, the height and width of each and every tree. With aerial 3D laser scanning, this has become a possibility.
Science Fiction is Becoming Reality…
No, this is not an episode of Star Trek. This is reality. Robotic arms 3D printing a steel bridge on site. Check out this article from 3DPrint.com.
Beam me up, Scotty! Continue reading “Science Fiction is Becoming Reality…”
Will Buildings of the Future Breathe””
In the future, green buildings may actually be green. A gazebo, unveiled this month at the Expo 2015 world’s fair in Milan, demonstrates how algae-filled plastic could serve as a living “skin” for buildings.
“This technology is really quite exciting for us because this is the first time we’ve got it to this scale,” says Marco Poletto, co-founder of ecoLogicStudio, the London architecture and urban design firm that created the 430-square-foot gazebo. EcoLogicStudio calls the project the Urban Algae Folly, playing with the traditional meaning of “folly” as an extravagant garden structure. Continue reading “Will Buildings of the Future Breathe”””
Congress extends highway funding through July
The Senate joined the House and passed a two-month extension of highway funding by voice vote. The vote sends the stopgap highway bill to President Obama, who’s expected to sign it before the May 31 deadline. Continue reading “Congress extends highway funding through July”
Just Another Day On The Job
Working on a mountainside near Farmington, CT, our Hodge survey crew gets a nice view of the valley. In the foreground is our backsight prism, which we use as a point of reference for our total station. Just beyond it is an old stone chimney and the remains of a foundation for a home that has long since decayed. A goose had been nesting on the top of the chimney until moments before the photo was taken.
Engineering Flowchart
Project Spotlight: #1040 State St., New Haven
If you have ever lived near or driven by 1040 State Street, you are sure to have recognized the old Star Supply building. For years, this site has been the subject of multiple discussions about urban development projects.
However, a project is now fully underway to turn the blighted industrial site into modern housing apartments, rendering all but the iconic entrance to the building unrecognizable. Continue reading “Project Spotlight: #1040 State St., New Haven”
Immediate Membership Action Required
It has been brought to the attention of CALS, by our lobbyist The Reynolds Group, that the Connecticut General Assembly Finance Committee, in SB 946, has proposed repealing the exemption from the state’s sales tax on Design Professions, including land surveying services. CALS believes this could have a significant negative impact on surveying and consumers in need of survey services. We, as a group, need to respond to this immediately. CALS is asking YOU to contact you legislators to prevent this legislation from passing.
U.S. existing home sales hit 18-month high; prices rise
U.S. home resales surged to their highest level in 18 months in March as inventories improved, a sign of strength in the housing market ahead of the spring selling season.
Continue reading “U.S. existing home sales hit 18-month high; prices rise”
Surveying An Entire City: The Case of Detroit
Detroit once bustled with business and manufacturing, but unlike many other cities of similar size, has seen population decline since the 1950s. As people left, and city blocks were abandoned, it became increasingly difficult to keep track of the over 400,000 parcels of land within its limits, especially with an antiquated computer system. It is estimated that there are some 80,000 or more abandoned buildings.
Continue reading “Surveying An Entire City: The Case of Detroit”