2021 - 2023
From helmet to mobile: an innovation journey in the construction sector
When we started our innovation project, we were full of optimism and vision to change the construction industry. The project title is "SmartHelmets linked to the BIM model support and promote healthier and safer construction sites and help streamline construction processes". It is funded by Smart Built Environment (SBE).
We had an idea to integrate IoT technology into safety helmets, a project we named SmartHelmet. The idea was that this would be the new standard for safety and efficiency on construction sites. But as is often the case with innovation, things rarely go as planned. We encountered a number of challenges, including delays in the delivery of components and increased costs. Research also showed that manufacturing the hardware for the SmartHelmets was complex and costly. It soon became clear that we needed to rethink our approach.
After much discussion and analysis, we decided to change direction. We decided to focus on developing a mobile app, the BuildingCloud mobile app, which would be linked to a digital twin. An app-based solution could provide many of the benefits we had originally envisioned, but with less complexity and cost. In addition, there was some reluctance to add weight to the safety helmets, which made the choice even easier.
Because it is a software solution, we can update the application with new features or improvements. This would be much more difficult and expensive to do with a physical product like SmartHelmets. And our journey is far from over. We continue to develop and test the app, always with the goal of making the construction industry safer and more efficient.
Our journey from a hardware product to an app has been both challenging and rewarding. We have learned to be flexible and adaptable, and most importantly, we have seen that an app-based solution is not only more feasible, but also more effective in improving working conditions and efficiency in the construction industry.
July 5, 2021
Can digital twins of the built environment be evil or is it only our fears and misunderstanding? Is it possible that the environmental, social and economic challenges we’re currently facing, as well as the problems we’re working to solve, lead us to choose the easy way, ignoring severe threats to both individuals and society? The solution to the environmental problems lies in finding a way to truly work integrated within each and every project, to overcome the preconditions of the construction industry. The question is, how can digitalization support us?
Read full press release: ”Mynewsdesk”
July 3, 2021
Scharc has worked on ten school projects in Nacka, including Sigfridsborgsskolan. During the school construction, Scharc started a collaboration with NCC to test its proprietary SmartHelmets. The aim was to support and promote healthier and safer construction sites, as well as to help streamline work processes. Before the school was completed, both staff and students were able to virtually explore
Read full press release: ”Mynewsdesk”
May 26, 2021
Staff and students get to explore their future school, Sigfridsborgsskolan in Nacka kommun, through BuildingCloud’s Experience. It is an interactive virtual reality of the digital twin, making it possible to visualize, review and develop projects collaboratively. Through a realistic experience and an easy-to-use interface, all project stakeholders can get involved and supported with insights.
Read full press release: ”Mynewsdesk”
April 28, 2021
After over a decade of collaborating in several construction projects, Scharc and NCC have joint effort to test innovative tools and digital applications within Uppkopplad byggplats. The project is financed by Vinnova through the Swedish strategic innovation programme “Smart Built Environment”, led by Linköping University and Luleå University of Technology and has various companies within the construction industry and the ICT sector as partners.
Read full press release: ”Mynewsdesk”
September 21, 2015
We are very excited to announce the launch of our newly designed website! A few of our goals with the new website were to make it more user-friendly, refresh the design and highlight our projects with photos and videos. Furthermore, we wanted to create a more visible relation between the three departments Scharc Arkitektur, Scharc Development, Scharc BIT and its colors.
To make it easier to get in touch with us, we implemented a contact form into our website and connected the website to our social media channels on Facebook and LinkedIn.
September 9, 2014
The Swedish housing market is currently out of balance due to a drastic growing demand for apartments. Some of the main reasons for this are rising income, low interest rates and unexpectedly high population growth combined with low construction rates. This leads to increasing house prices and year-long queue times especially in the big cities Malmö, Gothenburg and Stockholm.
Insufficient availability of small apartments affects students and young adults in particular. Stockholm has the greatest deficit in student housing, with around 12,800 student apartments for around 100,000 students. This incredible deficit is mainly due to long planning processes and the competition to the regular housing market. One consequence is that many students and young adults cannot leave their parental home since they are not able to find suitable accommodations in Stockholm. International students struggle even more to find accommodations.
This uncertain housing condition needs to be improved, and demands a diversified strategy. I.WE.STHLM aims to improve the situation for students and young adults by offering an alternative to the regular housing market. More information about the project can be found in our project section
November 20, 2013
In3prenör is building a new combined terminal on behalf of Jernhusen only 6 km from the centre of Stockholm, which is directly connected to the E4 motorway (Södra länken). The new environmentally friendly terminal "Årsta Kombiterminal" meets the standards required for certification of Miljöbyggnad Silver and was completed in spring 2014.
Read the full article:
"Green city logistics facility emerging in Årsta" was published on 20 November 2013 on www.byggnyheter.se.
More information, photos and films: Årsta - Intermodal terminal
November 15, 2013
The Urban Planning Committee has decided to proceed with 1 000 new student apartments in Stockholm Spånga. They will be built along Bromstensvägen and located less than one kilometre from Spånga's commuter train station. The buildings will be five to six storeys high and consist of a modular system with apartments ranging from 20 to 37 square metres in size.
Read the full article:
”Tusen nya studentbostäder i Spånga” was published on 15 November 2013 on www.byggnyheter.se.
Mer information, bilder & filmer our project section.
May 18, 2015
In3prenör just started the construction of the new Riksten school extension. The first part of the school was already completed in 2013 and opened for 300 pupils from preschool classes to 4th grade. Due to an increasing demand, the school needs to be extended and offer a broader range of education. Therefore, a new extension with 1,900 sq.m. will be built, which will double the capacity to 600 pupils from preschool classes to the 9th grade.
Read the full article: ”Andra etappen av Rikstens skola påbörjas” was published by Fastighetssverige on May 18, 2015 on www.fastighetssverige.se. (Swedish)
More information and illustrations: Riksten School – Stage 2
May 8, 2015
Villeroy & Boch Gustavsberg’s new logistics and assembly hall in Gustavsberg was officially opened today. Villeroy & Boch Gustavsberg invested around SEK 130 million into a new central warehouse and logistic center which was built by NCC Construction Sweden. The new building has around 8,500 sq.m. and will be used for assembly, quality control of bathroom porcelain and logistics.
Read the full press release:
”Framtidssatsning i anrik bruksort” was published on 8 May 2015. (Swedish)
More information and photos at our project section
December 4, 2013
Both schools Brunnsäng and Hovsjöskolan are built according to Södertälje’s school model, which demands open spaces, large glass surfaces and no corridors. But the lack of interior walls resulted in a constant background noise in both schools, which is disturbing teachers and students in teaching. Luckily this issue will soon be solved after the Education Committee decided on the construction of interior walls to close the classrooms in both schools. After that, students and teachers will be able to benefit from both the openness of shared areas and the privacy of the closed classrooms. Scharc will contribute in the reconstruction of the schools by implementing all necessary changes into the floor plans.
Meta Hylén, the principle of Hovsjöskolan is happy about the decision and said “The school is amazing with its openness, but there are too few walls. We see each other, which is good. But we also hear each other all the time and it interferes with teaching.”
Read the full article:
"Schools in Brunnsäng and Hovsjö to get interior walls" was published on 4 December 2013 in Länstidningen Södertälje. (Swedish)
More information, photos and films at Brunnsäng school and Hovsjö school
May 20, 2013
After three years of planning and construction, the Brunnsängskolan is almost completed. Construction work has been somewhat delayed due to the long winter but the construction time is still acceptable.
The school has been built according to Södertälje’s school model, which is regulated in a document developed by the municipality. It determines how the school needs to be built and demands for example that the school has an entrance where everyone entering the school has to pass a staff member. Another example is large open spaces like the great hall which houses four classes each with 25 students.
Safety is another important aspect of the school. To make the students feel safer when they use the toilets, all toilets are equipped with two locks. Security is guaranteed by surveillance cameras which monitoring the public areas. However teaching areas are not covered due to privacy.
Read the full article:
”360°-bild: Se nya skolan i Brunnsäng” was published on 20 May 2013 in Länstidningen Södertälje.
More information, photos and films at our project section.
May 20, 2010
Construction works on the new Hovsjö School in Södertälje have just started. The school is part of the largest education investment ever made in Södertälje. It will be built according to Södertälje’s school model and will offer space for 650 students. NCC Construction Sverige is building the school on behalf of Telge Fastigheter. Through a collaboration between both companies, construction costs can be reduced and the construction process becomes more efficient.
Read the full article: ”Nya Hovsjöskolan – den största skolsatsningen i Södertälje” was published on May 17, 2010 on Cisions nyhetsportal (Swedish)
More information, illustrations & movies: Hovsjö school
