Building the gap between the design and build phases of construction is one way of increasing efficiency and quality in the industry. In our panel discussion with industry leaders like Luke Haughton of Sapphire Balconies, Ken Farnon of Cooleys, Katy Collins of Three Kit, Tony Ball of C3 Alliance, Ryan Millican of FP McCann and Mathewe Bennett of Willmott Dixon, we discuss how the industry can bridge this gap effectively. Let’s look at the key takeaways from this panel discussion below:
Standardisation and Creativity
While many feel that standardisation limits the creativity of the industry, our panel of industry leaders think otherwise. Opting for modern methods of construction and standardising various aspects of the industry increases the quality of the final product without limiting the creativity. It helps to increase the overall standard of the industry while pushing people to increase their creativity at the same time.
When Should Collaborating to Streamline the Process Ideally Start?
According to the experts participating in the panel, the common consensus is that collaboration needs to start at the earliest possible stage. Collaborating from RIBA stage 2 or 3 is ideal as this ensures a smoother collaboration. Waiting till stage 4 is bound to cause back and forth discussion between the teams and lead to a reworking of the design. They also feel that these inputs and procedures should be captured by the developer, and the same processes should be incorporated for future projects to ensure smoother transition in the future as it is easier to scale by standardisation.
Blockers Stopping the Closing of the Gap Between Design and Build
There are various blockers that hinder the closing of this gap between design and build. The mindset and level of education in the industry is one of the biggest reasons for this. Further, the lack of the right technology to support seamless collaboration across the various stakeholders is another major reason that causes this gap. Additionally, the current procurement processes in the construction industry can also hinder the closing of this gap between the design and the build.
Cultural Change Needed in the Industry
The industry will also need to make some cultural changes in order to bridge this gap between design and build. The lack of trust in the industry is caused because the current contracts being used do not allow for collaboration. There is also a need for education, which can lead to a mindset change. Industry leaders feel that talking to the younger generation in universities, teaching them the benefits of offsite and MMC, can be a big way to bridge this gap in future.
New developments Required for Increasing Collaboration
The adoption of digital technology industry-wide can make it easier to collaborate with all the stakeholders involved in a project. Developing and using the right software to facilitate smooth functioning and communication is key to increasing collaboration in the industry. Additionally, changing the contracts being used currently to ones that focus on collaboration and increasing trust can also be instrumental in bridging the gap in the industry.
Productisation of buildings and building a brand name in the market is the future of the industry. By doing this, there is bound to be more collaboration across the various stakeholders and the guarantee of performance industry-wide.
Responsibility for Collaboration
While it is essential for every partner to be transparent and open to collaboration, starting from the top is essential. If the client or developer who is initiating the project sets the trend for the entire project, this helps create the mindset for collaboration throughout.
Benefits of Product Configuration
Product configuration helps companies showcase many different variants coming together visually, so that everyone can see how these adjustments of size, colour, accessories, etc. can create millions of probabilities. This helps reduce the time and increases collaboration with the salesperson while reducing the time of conversion. Such technologies make it extremely easy to do business and can be instrumental in growing the business at a faster pace.
Learn more on bridging the gap between build and design by watching the recording of the panel discussion here.