What does meaningful progress look like in today’s rapidly evolving world?
Some point to leadership in the boardroom, or to projects powered by artificial intelligence. Others cite net-zero buildings, modular cities, 3D printed buildings or mixed-use megaprojects. At RLB, we see true progress as more than a race to adopt the latest technology. It’s about applying innovation with intent, to create lasting value for people, places and communities.
This edition of Perspective highlights how our industry is accelerating, augmenting and rethinking the way we shape the built environment. From the digitally-enabled towers rising above Sydney Metro Martin Place to the extraordinary “sponge city” concept on display at Shenzhen’s ECOAST: eco-development, you’ll find inspiring stories of data-driven insight, sustainable design and global ambition.
These aren’t just technical case studies. They show what’s possible when innovation and human ingenuity come together – delivering with precision, foresight and trust. Across these pages, you’ll see how new ideas are strengthening cultural identity, unlocking the value of adaptive reuse and creating places where communities can thrive.
At RLB, we believe progress must be collective – achieved together with our clients, partners and communities. Whether it’s embedding First Nations’ storytelling in a precinct, reimagining existing assets through adaptive reuse, or shaping civic spaces that welcome all, our purpose lies in enabling people and places to flourish together.
I hope you find inspiration in these pages, and a shared sense of purpose in the path ahead.
PERSPECTIVE INSIGHTS
Building better healthcare through strategic funding
For healthcare funding to succeed, facilities managers must ensure infrastructure investments are sustainable operationally and financially. Facilities managers play a vital role in identifying the infrastructure needs of the healthcare system and ensuring facilities are aligned with current and future…
Reimagining One Queen Street for tomorrow
Why adaptive reuse is a smart, sustainable strategy for city-making As the construction industry evolves, so too does its definition of progress. No longer is the benchmark for success solely in steel and glass – it’s in how we preserve,…
Integrated, future-focused, and iconic
Complexity, connectivity, and commercial vision As cities grow more complex and connected, so too must the infrastructure that supports them. Sydney Metro Martin Place Integrated Station Precinct is a landmark example of how visionary design, advanced technology and cross-sector collaboration can…
The Subscription City: Designed for people, powered by data
The rise of the Subscription City In tomorrow’s cities, you won’t just live somewhere – you’ll subscribe to a lifestyle. As flexibility becomes currency and experience becomes product, the city is transforming from static infrastructure into a curated, on-demand ecosystem. From housing to…
Fintech meets construction cost management: Innovative payment models and blockchain for transparent cost tracking
Imagine a construction project where every cost element is tracked in real-time and payments are automatically released as soon as agreed-upon milestones are achieved. Thanks to recent advancements in financial technology (fintech), this is no longer just a concept. Tools…
Constructing intelligence: Will AI lower the bar whilst raising the construction roof?
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been on the roadmap of technological progress since the 1950s, but only recently has it picked up real speed. For decades, it hovered on the horizon, promising much, but often stuck in the slow lane due to limitations…
Assembling the future generation of quantity surveyors
The question facing us all today is: How do we as a profession thrive in an era of digital transformation, shifting workplace expectations, and rapid change? What is very clear is that as the workplace continues to evolve, so must our approach…
A cultural flagship sets sail
Charting a new course for Shenzhen’s waterfront The future of construction isn’t just vertical – it’s cultural, coastal and conscious. Few projects capture this evolution more powerfully than K11 ECOAST, a bold new district rising along Shenzhen’s Prince Bay. Blending…
Strategies for building a more sustainable manufacturing plant
Successfully building a sustainable manufacturing plant requires early planning and strategic budgeting. Combined, these tactics create clear guidelines, provide optionality in design, promote alignment, accountability and effective incorporation of company sustainability and carbon footprint goals. Below are seven best practices…
Cost consultants at the AI crossroads: Seizing opportunities, navigating challenges
AI is redefining the consulting landscape The rise of large-scale AI models is transforming traditional industries at an unprecedented pace. A McKinsey report estimates that by 2030, up to 30% of human working hours could be replaced by AI-powered systems.…
Which construction procurement strategy is right for you?
Selecting a procurement strategy affects cost, schedule, quality and team relationships and is fundamental to project success. With healthcare construction already up 12 percent over the same period last year, there are no signs that projects are slowing down. That leaves healthcare…
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