We have too many non-interoperable systems and ecosystems.
Our team includes technologists, designers, architects, engineers and analysts, because it’s vital that we apply these new principles throughout.To begin with a traditional design process and then, at a later stage, attempt to retrofit some form of DfMA means compromising the design to make it fit the system, or creating a non-optimised, inefficient system – resulting in a disadvantaged built asset.. Kit-of-parts architecture.
In addition, where the design and construction industry tends to focus on the differences between sectors - segmenting itself into deep specialisms and viewing particular elements in isolation, we must instead switch our focus to commonality, anchoring the design and build process in similarities, not differences.P-DfMA achieves this goal.For example, floor-to-floor heights are relatively standard across a variety of different buildings: schools, hospital wards, apartment buildings and certain office types.
This is because the heights result from the size of people, rather than being necessitated by the requirements of a particular sector.We allow for the height of a person, plus headroom, plus a zone for structures, M&E systems and architectural finishes.
Recognising this reality, platform construction (P-DfMA) was Bryden Wood’s attempt to identify these types of cross-sector commonalities and develop a kit of parts which could then be used to build a variety of different sector types, but using the same components.
This allows the application of manufacturing techniques and processes, with consistent quality achieved, as well as facilitating greater economies of scale..The Construction Leadership Council, working very closely with the Department for International Trade, has started to address this.
They’re considering what it means for consultants like Bryden Wood, Mott MacDonald, Arup and others, as well as the big contractors and construction managers.We need to evaluate how we can get behind a UK value proposition and create something that allows us to export all of our wonderful technologies and services internationally.
At the same time, we also need to stay focused on the capability to service our own needs here in the UK.Yes, things are changing.
(Editor: Elegant Cameras)