Latest trends in UK construction

Jaimie Johnston MBE

Director, Head of Global Systems,
Bryden Wood

Platform Design Lead,

Construction Innovation Hub
Terms + definitions
Autumn statement (2017)

The government is taking a series of steps to

improve the cost effectiveness, productivity
and timeliness of infrastructure delivery. The
government will use its purchasing power to
drive adoption of modern methods of
construction, such as offsite manufacturing.
MMC means process as much as product
Design for Manufacture + Assembly (DfMA)
Algorithmic design + simulation
Automation + robotics
Geo-spatial analysis
Platform DfMA
VR + AR
Offsite
MiC
…
 MMC – overarching approach

DfMA – design process to maximise the benefits

Offsite Platforms Digital

Moving labour to a safer, more Cross-sector standardised Full range of digital tools +
productive environment: components techniques (beyond BIM)

 MiC  Least amount of material;  Big data + analytics;

 ‘3D’ volumetric modular /
pods;
 Pre packaged MEP;
 ‘2D’ panelised solutions;
 …
 Handled the fewest number of
times;
 By the fewest number of
people, working safely +
productively.
 Algorithmic design;
 Automated design;
 VR / AR;
 Wearable technology;
 …
Platforms vs. other forms of DfMA / MMC
'Manufactured', is not widely used, but offers the
greatest opportunities to improve delivery
efficiency and boost productivity. This approach
enables high levels of customisation by
developing and using standard components and
assemblies, but follows production processes,
MiC
embedding best practice from the manufacturing
and automotive sectors into construction delivery.
The manufactured approach reflects the ambition of
the Construction Sector Deal.’

Transforming Infrastructure Performance, IPA, 2017

 Positives / key considerations Negatives Examples

 Achieves standardisation at component level while allowing design freedom at asset level;  Requires a potentially deeper engagement with the supply chain;  Superstructure including
 Less material (with associated cost, carbon, transport etc.);  May be perceived as a riskier solution since it is not traditional construction; cores;
 Fewer components, enabling:  May require traditional contractors to take on a different role (acting more as  Envelope including façade
Manufactured Platforms

 Economies of scale (with the benefit amplified by procuring across much larger portfolio an integrator). and roof;
than any one client has access to);  MEP distribution including
 High levels of optimisation and manufacturing levels of quality; ceiling cassettes and risers;
 Distributed, resilient supply chain (from major manufacturers to local SME’s)  Interior fit out including bed
 Greater control of logistics, training, on site activities, etc. head services.
 Standardised processes (in manufacture and assembly) enabling:
 Diversification of the sector (new jobs and skills, potential to upskill non-construction
operatives);
 Improved health + safety;
 Increased productivity (and speed of assembly);
 Reduced reliance on trades and workmanship (more consistent whole life performance);
 Potential to automate (in design, manufacture + assembly).

 Fewer operatives on site;  Carbon intensive (duplication of horizontal vertical structure to achieve  Plant + equipment skids;
 High levels of site safety + productivity; stiffness needed for lifting and shifting, combined with material miles material  Prefabricated plant rooms;
 Ability to pre-test and commission. miles);  Generators and sub
 Vibration characteristics may not suit healthcare applications; stations;
 Shifts labour off site but may still not address productivity i.e. includes
Volumetric

‘construction in a shed’;
 Ideally requires a high degree of repeatability (inflexible design);
 May preclude ease of later refurbishment / future flexibility;
 Potential for long lead time;
 Logistically inefficient unless modules are highly optimised;
 May require specialist lifting equipment for heavy modules;
 Requires large capital investment to set up manufacturing facility or may limit
supply chain to specialist providers;
 Generally, over engineered (to be stiff enough for lifting + transport).

 Reduced design time (standard elements re-used);  Remains relatively labour intense with relatively low safety and productivity;  Utilities trenches / duct
Components

 Fewer documents + other information to manage;  Adopted where the value proposition for some ‘higher order’ of MMC is not banks;
 Easier submissions + approvals; justified (initially).  Bedhead services;
 Interfaces better resolved + pre-approved for regulatory / buildability / warranties etc;  Prefabricated hygienic
 Over time, some repeatable items may be productised or delivered using some other form of walling systems;
MMC.  MEP ceiling cassettes;
 Toilet pods

 Must always be planned in as part of the overall MMC approach in terms of timing, interfaces  Most unpredictable and labour intensive, least safe, precise and productive;  Bulk excavation;
Trad.

etc. - can be planned to take place while other activities are taking place off site;  Minimise these elements as far as possible.  Cut + fill;
 Consider where automation may be applied e.g. cut + fill levels using data enabled site  Access roads
equipment.
What are
construction
platforms?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVQnE35CRvo
A mandated approach:
in the next two years the
government will set out a
requirement for platform
approaches to be
adopted for social
infrastructure
Case study
The Forge, London
https://vimeo.com/394805860
Links to key documents
Delivery Platforms for Government
Assets: Creating a marketplace for
manufactured spaces
Bryden Wood
2017 (Second edition 2021)
https://www.brydenwood.co.uk/filedo
wnload.php?a=17725-613f434f0f64c
The Construction Playbook
UK Government
2020
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u
k/government/uploads/system/upload
s/attachment_data/file/941536/The_C
onstruction_Playbook.pdf
Platform Design Programme:
Defining the Need
Construction Innovation Hub
2020
https://the-
mtc.worldsecuresystems.com/Constru
ction%20Innovation%20Hub/Construc
tion%20Innovation%20Hub%20-
%20Defining%20the%20Need%20202
1.pdf
Transforming Infrastructure
Performance: Roadmap to 2030
Infrastructure and Projects Authority
2021
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u
k/government/uploads/system/upload
s/attachment_data/file/1016726/IPA_TI
P_Roadmap_to_2030_v6__1_.pdf
Thank you.

@Jaimie_BW
@BrydenWood

Bryden Wood

@brydenwoodtech

@brydenwoodtech