We’re already seeing evidence that it’s possible to build a superstructure with half the number of people in half the time, representing a four-fold increase in productivity, as well as a 25% reduction in overall material and a 20% reduction in embodied carbon.

Another benefit we see from DfMA construction is the evolution of a more direct relationship between the customer and their supply chain partners, cutting down on transactional costs and eliminating a lot of inefficiency.The contractor’s role becomes more profitable and sophisticated – what we refer to as a manufacturing assembly manager.

We believe that going forward this role will put more effort into controlling logistics, supply chain etc… In fact, roles throughout the supply chain will change, becoming more efficient and more focused on driving value.. Meeting the needs of our clients.Over the years, we’ve come to recognise a wide variety of client drivers, including cost, time, net present value, capital and funding decisions.For some clients, accuracy in delivery is the most important thing.

For others, such as the UK’s busiest airport, Heathrow, the biggest benefit arises from having the fewest number of people on site and the fastest possible delivery.What this means is that ultimately there are many different forms of P-DfMA which are appropriate.. With Platform construction (P-DfMA), we’ve attempted to take everything we’ve learned in our client work and embed it in a set of components that clients and the industry more generally can benefit from.

We’re focusing on the least amount of material, the lowest carbon materials, the highest levels of productivity.

These are the driving principles of P-DfMA and industrialised construction more generally..Using reversable joints for steelwork connections so that beams and columns can be disassembled in their primary form, allows them to be re-used rather than be melted down and recycled as a raw material.

Intumescent paint has to be manually chipped off steelwork before it can be recycled or reused, so choosing to use boarding for fire protection is a better sustainable design choice.These decisions have little cost impact when they are integrated into the building’s design, but can help create – and sustain – the circular economy..

Extending a building’s life, or giving it a second life through refurbishment, reduces the need to use yet more building materials for its replacement.Designing adaptable buildings enables the function to change depending on its users’ needs.