Off-Site: Volumetric Modular

Offsite manufacturing encompasses a varied spectrum of building products, ranging from structural components (e.g. roof trusses, floor trusses, and wall panels) to volumetric modular spaces. Manufacturers leverage automation with these components because there is repeatability in their fabrication. These components are designed and con- structed in specialized, controlled environments, and are transported to the site where framers install them, along with permanent bracing, to establish the overall structural system. Wall panels and other components are built and sequenced in the correct order to get as many components built offsite as possible, then delivered to the onsite, on time, and in the correct order to keep the onsite building process to a minimum. This makes the construction process highly efficient and predictable.

In contrast, conventional onsite construction is contingent on many variables, the most significant being weather, particu- larly in remote sites where extreme conditions often lead to construction delays. For instance, the installation of wall panels, and the task of marking and cutting poses challeng- es in freezing conditions. With the majority of the process relocated to an offsite facility, it offers a more controlled environment that is warmer, drier, and safer. As a result, the components can be manufactured to the highest possible quality and precision