Constructive Thinking is Skanska’s thought leadership blog where we share our expertise and highlight innovations in the built environment that help us build for a better society.
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Five iconic construction projects that are shaping U.S. cities
History is shaped in many ways. At Skanska, it takes place through building iconic construction projects, delivering pioneering structures and writing a story of ‘firsts’ in cities across the U.S. From California to New York, and in between, here are five Skanska projects that have made their mark in history and are shaping today’s built environment in groundbreaking ways.
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Beyond one summer: Meet Skanska’s returning interns
They came, they interned and now they’re back! For numerous interns across our jobsites and offices this summer, this isn’t their first time working with Skanska. In honor of National Intern Day, we’re spotlighting a few of our previous interns who felt one summer just wasn’t enough. Through fieldwork, mentorship and impact driven projects, these young professionals are once again taking their passion for construction to new heights.
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Building beyond barriers: Navigating tariffs to ensure project success
Navigating market volatility and tariffs can cause added stress and concern to construction budgets, especially in the education sector. Skanska’s Orlando team recently collaborated with Dave Sharma, chief facilities officer for the School District of Osceola County (SDOC), one of Florida’s largest and fastest-growing school districts, to discuss strategies to reconstruct Reedy Creek Elementary School with available labor and on an expedited schedule. Out of that collaboration, and in partnership with Skanska’s Project Planning and National Strategic Supply Chain leaders, they identified several challenges and best practices that can benefit facilities planners, builders and designers at any level.
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Portal North Bridge: Behind the delivery of three bridge arches down the Hudson River
What is the best way to transport three massive bridge sections—each as long as a football field—into the heart of New Jersey? That’s the question our team had to answer during the construction of our Portal North Bridge project. After running through several options, they decided the safest and most efficient method was to utilize local waterways, specifically the Hudson River, to float these arches into place.
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Collaborating to advance jobsite safety: Skanska leaders tap into the power of knowledge sharing
Across Skanska, knowledge sharing fuels our continuous improvement journey. In the realm of health and safety, enterprise-wide sharing of best practices, technologies and daily jobsite protocols accelerates a shared vision for protecting the people who shape our future every day. Below, we’re exploring how sharing health and safety initiatives and systems between Skanska USA and our teams in the UK, Sweden and Finland, is strengthening our collective approach to health and safety in construction.
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Combatting suicide in construction: A Q&A with Skanska USA’s President & CEO
Did you know the construction industry is disproportionately affected by mental health challenges, with construction worker suicide rates nearly four times higher than the national average? A newly formed CEO Advisory Council has come together to help prevent suicide and address mental health in construction.
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Preparing San Antonio for prestigious March Madness games
March Madness is here—and the NCAA Final Four and Championship games of the 2025 men’s NCAA tournament will be held in San Antonio this year April 5 and 7. San Antonio has undergone significant upgrades to ensure it is ready. Hosting these prestigious March Madness events is not only a moment of pride for San Antonio but also a substantial economic boon. The city anticipates welcoming more than 100,000 tourists who will travel to cheer on their favorite college basketball teams. This influx of visitors is expected to have a major economic impact, with estimates suggesting that more than $400 million will be spent locally.
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Shaping a more resilient Los Angeles, one park project at a time
In the wake of Southern California’s devastating wildfires, the need for spaces that promote climate resilience and provide respite in and around Los Angeles has only grown. Three Skanska Integrated Solutions (SIS) projects—Alondra Gateway Park, Azusa Wilderness Park Entry and San Gabriel River Center & Gardens—are addressing this need head on and shaping a more sustainable and protected future for LA residents.
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Women in Construction Week: Four women who are meeting personal milestones while working at Skanska
In celebration of Women in Construction (WIC) Week, we sat down with four women at Skanska who are pursuing personal milestones or goals while working in the construction industry. They discuss their passions, how Skanska is creating a culture of work/life balance and the importance of hobbies outside of work.
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Mentorship matters: A Q&A with Skanska employees during National Mentoring Month
Shaping communities starts with shaping one another. During National Mentoring Month, and throughout the year, Skanska employees participate in peer-to-peer knowledge sharing opportunities, prioritizing workforce development and investing in the next generation of industry professionals. Skanska teams of all types are shaping the industry they work in, one connection at a time. In this Q&A blog, our colleagues reflect on their experiences participating in and supporting programs with mentorship at the center.
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Developing for the future through Simmons’ Living and Learning Center
At Simmons University in Boston, Massachusetts, Skanska’s USA Commercial Development (CDUS) and USA Building (USB) teams have partnered with Simmons University to construct the new Simmons University Living and Learning Center (LLC). This landmark facility is a crucial piece in the university's One Simmons Master Plan. Upon completion, it will allow the next phase of that plan, which is for Skanska to develop the Longwood Place project on their Residence Campus. Construction is 20 percent complete on the Living and Learning Center and our team is working towards a summer 2025 topping out milestone.
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3901 Fairfax finds the balance between work and wellness
In the heart of Arlington, Virginia, the reflective façade of 3901 Fairfax catches the eye and projects a different kind of office. Mirror-like windows wrap the nine-story office tower to seamlessly integrate the development that sits along the Rosslyn-Ballston Corridor. Inside this Skanska-led project, nature and versatility take center stage to offer a new, more sustainable, work-meets-wellness space.
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Awareness to action: The importance of supporting those with cancer
I don’t know of anyone in my community or work family who hasn’t been affected by cancer in some way, shape or form. During cancer awareness months such as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and “Movember,” the dialogue ramps up around cancer detection, prevention, treatment, advocacy and support for those affected. For those who are living with or have lived with the presence of this disease in their own life or the life of a loved one, the dialogue around this life-altering disease never leaves them.
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Building decarbonization: The importance of circularity, material selection and innovative construction methods
As the global community grapples with the urgent need to combat climate change, the construction industry finds itself at a critical juncture. Responsible for approximately 40% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions, the industry faces a pressing challenge: decarbonization.
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5 ways decarbonization benefits public health (and 5 ways we can go further)
The construction industry has made substantial progress in reducing its carbon emissions in recent years. With resources like Skanska’s EC3 tool and the AGC’ s Decarbonization and Carbon Reporting Playbook (developed in collaboration with Skanska), our industry is taking accountability for the role we play in protecting environmental health. However, it’s not just the environment that’s affected by carbon emissions. The truth is that climate change exacts a profound toll on public health, as well. Since the built environment accounts for nearly 40 percent of global carbon emissions, we as an industry have a responsibility to address the human impact of climate change.
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Skanska USA Civil installs EV charging stations at their offices, making progress towards our 2045 net-zero goal
From coast to coast, Skanska’s USA Civil teams are installing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at their offices and facilities. Installing EV charging stations helps cut USA Civil’s “Scope 1” emissions and contributes towards our 2045 Group-wide carbon neutrality goal.
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From classroom to construction: Skanska employees rebuild their alma maters
Back to school season is here, and to celebrate, we sat down with five of our employees who are currently, or recently completed, working on university school projects where they attended school. From new campus buildings to infrastructure upgrades, see how our employees are improving college campuses across the country.
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An interactive infographic: Celebrating the substantial completion of our L300 project
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Building the future of aviation
The aviation industry drives more than 10 million American jobs and contributes over 5 percent of the U.S. GDP—equivalent to $1.37 trillion in 2023—which underscores its integral role in the health of our economy. In California alone, the airline industry and general aviation contribute $32.7 billion to the state’s economic output.
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Designing for durability: Lessons in water mitigation for mass timber projects
Mass timber has gained popularity as a building material praised for its sustainability and aesthetic appeal. It offers significant environmental benefits because of its reduced carbon footprint, and its biophilic design elements which bring a natural, warm aesthetic that can support cognitive performance, physical health and psychological well-being.
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How AI is revolutionizing productivity, efficiency and knowledge sharing
The industry stands on the brink of a major transformation, yet the question remains: How can construction teams turn the promise of artificial intelligence (AI) into tangible benefits?
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An interactive infographic: Spending a summer at Skanska
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The art of constructing creative spaces
Constructing for the arts is a delicate and complex balancing act requiring front-end coordination with many stakeholders to deliver a successful project. Whether it’s a performing arts center, museum, standalone theatre or recital hall, there are unique challenges and nuances to consider as no two projects will ever be the same. Drawing from past performing arts and theater construction experience is valuable from the onset of design through cost analysis and construction.
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Wake Tech’s new East Campus runs on sustainable energy
The recently completed Central Energy Plant (CEP) at Wake Tech Community College’s new East Campus delivers both a groundbreaking sustainable energy solution, as well as an immersive learning environment for students. The 15,700 square-foot CEP leverages sustainable energy to heat and cool the entire East Campus. In doing so, it achieves exceptional energy savings and efficiency for the college system.
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A look inside North Shore University Hospital Petrocelli Surgical Pavilion
Skanska’s New York team recently completed Petrocelli Surgical Pavilion at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) in Manhasset, Long Island. This $560 million, 288,000 square-foot tower compliments Northwell Health’s cardiac, neurosurgery and transplant programs.
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Shaping communities through partnership and investment in four commercial development markets
In developing and divesting sustainable commercial projects, Skanska USA Commercial Development (CDUS) leads with a community-first approach. Across our CDUS markets, thoughtfully developing alongside the communities where we work shows up in more ways than one.
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Inside the renovation of Nashville’s War Memorial Building and Legislative Plaza
The War Memorial Building, an architectural gem in Nashville, Tennessee, stands as a testament to our nation's history. Recognized on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017, it embodies a rich legacy. This 145,000 square-foot project transcends ordinary portfolio additions.
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On the road to more sustainable asphalt
Well-built roads keep society functioning, allowing us to travel across town – or across the nation. Unfortunately, the construction of asphalt roads has traditionally relied on fossil-fuel products and produced significant carbon emissions. Now, a new approach to producing asphalt is cutting its climate impact.
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60 years of growing and developing communities in Texas
In 2003, Skanska acquired the construction firm BFW Construction Co., Ltd. (BFW), strengthening its position in Texas. BFW was founded in 1964, and we still have employees with our teams today that came from BFW, including Dennis Yung, general managers - executive vice presidents in Texas and Ryan Aalsma, former general manager – executive vice president in San Antonio.
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Preserving the past, building the future: The role of salvaged materials in modern construction
Approximately 25 percent of construction and demolition waste is reusable yet most construction waste goes to the landfill. Lifecycle Building Center has been operating for over 10 years in the Atlanta market as a nonprofit with a mission rooted in construction material reuse. This practice is one of the most effective strategies for reducing Scope 3 emissions in the industry and plays a key part in the success of the first Living Building of its scale in the Southeastern United States: The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design at Georgia Tech.
