Offsite construction
New and smarter construction techniques are needed if we are to build a more profitable and sustainable industry that can deliver the significant reductions in costs, project times and CO2 emissions that are called for by the Construction 2025 Strategy.
Learn about offsiteAdopting an offsite approach to construction does not mean using only completed modular units. There are a whole range of options on the offsite adoption scale, from standardised components, through to modular sub-assemblies to fully volumetric solutions.
The industry needs to start looking at current processes differently and grasp the concept of construction industrialisation.
The concept is illustrated in the construction industrialisation wheel below. Five key competencies need to be understood if we are to embrace an industrialised approach; design for manufacture & assembly (DfMA), offsite manufacture, logistics and onsite assembly, followed by design of maintenance. These five building blocks are underpinned by eight management skills that are, in our opinion, necessary to drive change.
Help can be found under the management topic.
DfMA is about embedding efficiency throughout a product’s life-cycle, including…
Bringing factory thinking to the construction process, to industrialise the…
Moving to an offsite approach has significant impacts on offsite…
The onsite assembly process is the management and culmination of…
Implementation of decisions taken at the design stage through the…
Design for Manufacture & Assembly
Offsite Design
E-learning Module
A module aimed at designers and architects to increase offsite methods in their projects.
30 minutes
Supply Chain Management, Sustainable Procurement
Supply Chain Management
E-learning Module
60 minutesDesign for Manufacture & Assembly
DfMA: The Basics
Video
An introduction to DFMA
2 minutesDesign for Manufacture & Assembly
DfMA: Beyond the Basics
Video
Steps towards implementing successful DfMA
2 minutesDesign for Manufacture & Assembly
DfMA: Case Study – Here East
Video
From HawkinsBrown
2 minutesDesign for Manufacture & Assembly
DfMA: Design for Manufacture and Assembly
E-learning Module
45 minutesConstruction industrialisation
How do I develop the skills to embrace offsite construction?
The offsite skills assessment enables you to understand what you need to know and provides a quick 10-point learning plan.
Assess now
The School provides hundreds of ‘best-in-class’ learning resources that help to build an understanding of offsite:
- Sub-topics – the five elements of industrialisation; DfMA, offsite construction, logistics, onsite assembly and design for maintenance
- Format – do you prefer video, e-learning, workshops, webinars or web documents?
- Competency level – beginner, intermediate or advanced.
To have a sneak preview, view Topics or Learn from the main menu to take you to the help you need. Whilst all our resources are free, we do ask that you register with the School to access them.
“The Offsite School is an excellent source of knowledge on DfMA and offsite construction. Its combination of online resources and face to face training delivery means that you can choose the style of learning that best suits your organisation.”Nigel Ostime, Project Delivery Director, Hawkins Brown Architects
Design for Manufacture & Assembly
DfMA: Plan of Works – Stage 2
Video
2 minutes
Offsite Assessment
Offsite Construction Learning Materials
We have developed learning materials to assist the construction industry in its adoption of offsite construction and further the use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). Use the following relevant courses to train or be trained and learn the knowledge and techniques that can help to reduce costs, improve performance and sustainability.
The course typically runs for 6 hours and all of the following materials should be used by a trainer, referring to the Trainer Guide first of all.
Offsite Design: Trainer Guide
Offsite Design: Course Presentation
Offsite Design: Introduction Loop
Offsite Design: Attendance Sheet
Offsite Design: Feedback Form
Offsite Design Exercise: RIBA Plan of Work and what to consider
Offsite Design Exercise: MMC Optioneering Project Scenarios
Offsite Design Exercise: MMC Matrix Assessment Criteria
Offsite Design Exercise: Offsite Strategy Project Drivers
Offsite Design Exercise: Offsite Strategy Client Drivers
Offsite Design Exercise: Primary Structure Optioneering
Offsite Design Handout: MMC Optioneering - Benefits, Challenges and Opportunities
Offsite Design Handout: MMC Material Definitions, Options & Methodology
You should also refer to the Offsite Design e-learning module.
Offsite Leadership Group Meeting Notes
Catch up on what’s been discussed in the Waste Category Group meetings.
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The School is a collaboration between clients, contractors and suppliers who have a mutual interest in building the skills of their supply chain. They pay for the School, so it's all FREE for you.
