Expertise

Industrialised Design and Construction

C+W O’Brien Architects takes an innovative approach to design delivery, emphasising the principle of industrialised design and construction. This revolutionary concept integrates design and construction into a seamless process, like the automotive industry's assembly from a kit of parts.
Industrialised Design and Construction (ID+C) is an approach to building that applies principles from manufacturing and industrial processes to the construction industry.

The goal of ID+C is to improve efficiency, reduce waste and enhance environmental sustainability, enhance quality, and accelerate project timelines by leveraging techniques such as prefabrication and offsite construction. By integrating ID+C into our approach, we’re reshaping the traditional construction process and propelling the industry toward innovation. Our approach to ID+C involves addressing the following key topics.

Next Level Project Delivery

We work with procurement bodies to help set a clear vision and objectives that align with the principles of industrialisation. This includes:

  • Defining Goals: Establishing performance targets such as cost, time, quality, and sustainability.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Ensuring all parties are aligned and committed to the industrialised approach.
  • Integration Planning: Developing a comprehensive plan that integrates design, procurement, manufacturing, and construction processes.
  • Risk Management: Identifying potential risks associated with industrialisation and developing mitigation strategies.

Addressing procurement requires a focus on sourcing materials and components in a way that supports the industrialised process to include:

  • Prefabricated Components: Procuring pre-manufactured parts that can be assembled on-site.
  • Supplier Collaboration: Working closely with suppliers to ensure the timely delivery of high-quality components.
  • Standardisation: Purchasing standardised parts to facilitate easier assembly and reduce complexity.
  • Value-based Selection: Choosing suppliers based on their ability to deliver value through innovation, quality, and reliability.

 

Manufacturing in ID+C applies factory-based production techniques to create building components:

  • Automation: Utilising robotics and automated machinery to increase precision and efficiency where possible.
  • Lean Manufacturing: Implementing lean principles to minimise waste and optimise production processes.
  • Quality Control: Establishing rigorous quality assurance processes to ensure components meet specified standards.
  • Mass Customisation: Balancing standardisation with the ability to customise components to meet project-specific requirements.

Productionisation involves refining and optimising designs for mass production:

  • Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA): Creating designs that are easy to manufacture and assemble.
  • Prototype Testing: Developing and testing prototypes to identify and resolve potential issues before full-scale production.
  • Process Standardisation: Establishing standard processes to ensure consistency and efficiency in production.
  • Scalability: Ensuring that manufacturing processes can scale up to meet project demands.

We review Logistics in ID+C context to ensure the efficient transportation and handling of components and work with key stakeholders throughout the project life cycle to ensure:

  • Supply Chain Management: Coordinating the movement of materials and components from manufacturers to the construction site.
  • Just-In-Time Delivery: Scheduling deliveries to arrive as needed, reducing on-site storage and handling.
  • Transportation Planning: Optimising routes and methods for transporting large or heavy components.
  • Tracking and Tracing: Using technology to monitor the location and status of shipments in real-time.

Assembly and Installation involves putting together prefabricated components on-site:

  • Modular Construction: Assembling modules that have been manufactured off-site.
  • Site Preparation: Ensuring the site is ready to receive and install components efficiently.
  • Skilled Labour: Employing workers trained in the specific techniques required for assembly and installation.
  • Safety Protocols: Implementing stringent safety measures to protect workers and ensure the integrity of the installation process.

Our Computational Design service leverages digital tools to enhance the design process:

  • Parametric Design: Using algorithms to create flexible designs that can easily be adjusted.
  • Building Information Modelling (BIM): Utilising BIM to create detailed digital representations of buildings, facilitating collaboration and coordination.
  • Simulation and Analysis: Running simulations to predict and optimise performance outcomes.
  • Generative Design: Employing AI-driven tools to explore a wide range of design options and identify optimal solutions.

We incorporate a Kit-Of-Parts approach to design delivery; this refers to a set of standardised components that can be combined in various ways:

  • Modularity: Designing components that can be easily assembled and reconfigured.
  • Interoperability: Ensuring that all parts are compatible and can be connected seamlessly.
  • Simplification: Reducing the number of unique parts to streamline production and assembly.
  • Customisation: Allowing for customisation within a standardised framework to meet specific project needs.

We work with our asset designers to focus on creating assets that are durable, maintainable, and efficient:

  • Lifecycle Planning: Designing for the entire lifecycle of the asset, from construction to operation and maintenance.
  • Sustainability: Incorporating sustainable materials and energy-efficient systems.
  • Maintainability: Ensuring that assets are easy to maintain and repair.
  • Resilience: Designing assets to withstand environmental and operational stresses.

To ensure the smooth integration of ID+C processes we incorporate a Project Controls to help monitor and manage the project to ensure it stays on track:

  • Scheduling: Developing detailed schedules and timelines for each phase of the project.
  • Budgeting: Establishing and managing the project budget to control costs.
  • Performance Monitoring: Tracking progress against milestones and performance metrics.
  • Risk Management: Continuously identifying and mitigating risks to keep the project on course.

Benefits of our Industrialised Design and Construction Processes

  • Increased Efficiency: By streamlining processes and utilising prefabrication and automation, projects can be completed faster and with fewer delays.
  • Enhanced Quality: Factory-controlled environments allow for higher precision and better-quality control compared to traditional on-site construction.
  • Cost Savings: Reducing waste, improving efficiency, and leveraging economies of scale can lead to real cost reductions.
  • Sustainability: ID+C methods often result in less material waste and lower energy consumption, contributing to more sustainable building practices.
  • Improved Safety: Manufacturing components off-site in controlled environments reduces the risks associated with on-site construction work.

The C+W O’Brien Industrialised Design and Construction process represents a transformative shift in the construction industry, leveraging modern technology and manufacturing principles to build faster, better, and more sustainably.

Have an Industrial Design and Construction project you would like to discuss? Get in touch today.

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