18 INSIGHTS
It is critical that architects get involved in the current conversation about offsite rather than protesting a perceived loss of design freedom
Nigel Ostime of Hawkins\Brown
process of designing for offsite and the opportunities it presents. If the use of MMC is to be sustained it must be introduced at an early stage in architects’ careers and as such needs to be addressed during their education.
CONSISTENT QUALITY
The East Village project is being built by Mace using their High Rise Solutions system that employs parametric modelling tools and artificial intelligence to construct buildings safer, faster and to a consistent high level of quality
offsite, which converts site activities to an assembly process by installing modules concurrently with bathroom pods, utility cupboards and MEP service modules.
The process drastically reduces programme and improves productivity by up to six times compared to current industry performance. The construction programme has been reduced by 18 weeks with 20 per cent fewer workers onsite compared to a traditional building approach. With the impending demographic skills shortage, not to mention the impact of Brexit, the construction industry needs to find ways of reducing its reliance on labour. MMC, aligned with digital tools and a more collaborative process, will provide this.
Standardisation
Closely aligned to a manufacturing-led approach is standardisation, which can both improve productivity and free up designers to focus on the areas they can bring greater value, like placemaking and improved functionality. There has been disquiet voiced by some architects regarding the aesthetic challenges modular construction can bring, but this should not be a barrier to good design, providing it is considered at an early stage. It is critical that architects get involved in the current conversation about offsite rather than protesting a perceived loss of design freedom. This requires a proper understanding of the
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One way to address these issues is for architecture courses to teach the fundamentals of offsite design and manufacturing. This would include the Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) approach set out in the RIBA’s DfMA Plan of Work Overlay (which is currently being updated for publication in mid 2021), followed up with integration into the students’ design projects. This would be aligned with more detailed learning on the MMC categories and how to assess which would be appropriate for a particular site and project brief, and might also include an understanding of market capabilities, enough to undertake a light-touch optioneering assessment at the start of the design process (RIBA Stage 2). It would ideally be accompanied by a closer relationship with industry, specifically with manufacturers, as well as consultants. This does however require a change in mindset. Designers need to integrate the method of construction at the start of the design process, not merely after planning approval. In the real world there are procurement barriers to this approach, but as a design philosophy it is an important starting point. Designers need to understand these procurement barriers – particularly with Design & Build – and be armed with the knowledge of how to persuade clients of the benefits of a DfMA approach.
Architects are key to initiating change through their involvement at the start of the design process, and their education needs to address the transformation required to make this sustainable in the long term.
Collaboration
It is essential that the construction industry improves productivity and achieves a step-change in procurement processes and approach to design. This will require collaboration between architects, engineers and manufacturers and better understanding of the manufacturing process by architects and their clients. It will also require recognition of the importance of design quality and placemaking by manufacturers.
Construction needs to learn from manufacturing, and it is time for change.
Nigel Ostime is a partner at Hawkins\Brown ADF FEBRUARY 2021
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