The construction industry is currently facing a number of challenges that are impacting its growth and sustainability. Chief among these are the scarcity of labor, rising demand, and fluctuating material prices. In order to mitigate these challenges, a better, more sustainable approach to building construction must aim to integrate offsite automated manufacturing in order to streamline design, speed up construction schedules, and reduce cost. We call this process Offsite/Onsite.
Conventional building processes force designers and builders to think and operate separately, resulting in issues and inefficiencies caused by redundant processes and misaligned incentives. The addition of the Offsite/Onsite process, where whole buildings are designed in software in collaboration with the entire construction value chain, is a way to not only resolve errors, but provides a method by which design and construction can inform each other of greater potentials and possibilities. By fostering and promoting essential collaboration throughout the value chain, we facilitate the creation of superior buildings that bring advantages to all stakeholders.
Using digital tools such as BIM modeling and fabrication software streamlines communication and allows offsite manufacturers to ensure the accuracy of their inventory. These tools also aid in automating the manufacturing process, improving quality control through precise manufacturing, and significantly improves productivity. With Offsite/Onsite, a building is built for the first time in a computer model during design, and for the second time on the job site. This methodology allows for the early identification and resolution of potential issues on the computer instead of in the field, saving time, reducing labor requirements, and cutting costs. Furthermore,
offsite-produced components can be delivered to the job site in an organized manner, facilitating swift construction while minimizing onsite safety risks.
Key Benefits:
-Consistency of project team
-Integrated project delivery
-Accelerated efficiency
-Better communication
-Using technology to "build" before you build
-Minimal waste
-Reduced Cost