In today’s rapidly evolving construction industry, offsite technologies are becoming increasingly pivotal, offering promising solutions to the sector’s long-standing challenges.
Jackie Maginnis, CEO of the Modular and Portable Building Association (MPBA), stands at the forefront of this transformation and with her extensive experience and insight into offsite construction practices, Jackie is uniquely positioned to discuss the innovations driving the industry forward.
Speaking to Offsite Hub, Jackie shares her thoughts on the evolving regulatory frameworks and the significance of industry events like Offsite Construction Week in shaping the future of construction.
Jackie is a member of the Offsite Construction Week Advisory Group, an unbiased ambassador for offsite construction, ensuring that the key trends and challenges of the industry are addressed during the series of events this September and beyond. Learn more about Offsite Construction Week here.
What are the most promising offsite technologies currently being adopted in the construction industry, and how do they compare in terms of cost, efficiency, and sustainability?
As the Chief Executive of the MPBA, modular technology would be the predictable response, however I believe it’s digitalisation and ever-advancing project modelling software that is driving the offsite industry forwards at a rapid pace.
Tech-savvy volumetric manufacturers have embraced these digital tools, adding their own knowledge and data to create newer, faster, more efficient ways to produce factory manufactured buildings.
Investment in digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), 3D printing and real-time data analytics – is happening at pace. Increasing technological advancements coupled with the advantages provided by modular construction is delivering sustainability gains and the reduction of construction carbon which is without doubt contributing to demand in the commercial sectors.
We are now pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with offsite construction, operating more efficiently and sustainably through better use of resources, less waste and increasing productivity.
What are the primary barriers to widespread adoption of offsite construction methods, and how can the industry overcome these challenges?
Every major review of the industry has in some way recommended a move towards offsite construction and in my view, the case is unequivocal.
One of the main barriers is perception. Although we are far removed from the prefabs of yesteryear, some outmoded views still exist. So we need to drag these construction professionals into the twenty-first century and the best way to do this is through education.
This is what Offsite Construction Week is all about. Offering those operating in the traditional construction arena the opportunity to visit factories, take part in site study tours, explore a specialist exhibition and find out about best practice principles in an international summit and CPD accredited masterclass seminars.
Another barrier lies in the consistency of demand and capacity within the offsite sector.
The stop start nature of construction, particularly in the residential sector is not conducive to financing massive automated factories. What is needed is a predictable pipeline of work to warrant the investment.
The government mandating 70% Pre-Manufactured Value (PMV) in all public projects is a major step in the right direction. This metric has its flaws but it’s a good starting point.
What the industry needs is for the government to hold strong on net zero carbon targets which plays to the strengths of modern methods of construction (MMC). Offsite manufacture has never been considered ‘mainstream’ in the UK, yet it could help address several key issues facing society and the economy.
In what types of construction projects (e.g., residential, commercial, infrastructure) do you see the greatest potential for offsite technologies to make a significant impact, and why?
The MPBA represent MMC specialists operating across all commercial sectors, but it is education and healthcare where I would say a modular approach is having the greatest impact.
Speed is the critical factor here. Predictability of programme is essential with education builds as most are aligned with the school year.
With record waiting lists, healthcare facilities must be brought on stream rapidly to deal with the patient backlog, so the need for speed without impinging on quality, is vital.
With an ageing population and the aftermath of the pandemic, extra capacity is critical, and traditional construction methods are too slow to keep up with this urgent demand.
With its powerful combination of controlled deliverables and customisable outputs, modular construction provides cost and time efficiencies together with repeatable quality and safety, meeting the key drivers and stringent protocols demanded by these sectors.
How do you see regulatory frameworks and building codes evolving to accommodate and promote the use of offsite construction methods?
The Grenfell Tower tragedy and the failings it laid bare made clear the imperative for regulatory change in the construction industry. The review recommended a series of sweeping reforms and the Building Safety Act is now enshrined in legislation.
The fire at Grenfell Tower also exposed serious weaknesses in the regulation of construction products. Ordered following disturbing evidence heard from material manufacturers at the Grenfell Tower inquiry, the product testing review drafted by Paul Morrell OBE and Anneliese Day KC, made proposals for a regulatory shake-up to address the failings exposed by the investigation. However the government has yet to respond to this review.
Currently, it is estimated that only a third of all construction products in manufacture are covered by the regulator, leaving around 20,000 to 30,000 unregulated products.
As time can be taken upfront to validate the performance of components within a panelised or modular systems, a regulatory framework surroundings product testing would play to the strengths of the offsite industry.
What are your thoughts on Offsite Expo/OCW?
It is extremely rewarding being part of this ground-breaking initiative which is an industry first – never has the construction sector come together to deliver such a multifaceted event.
With clear aims and objectives, industry groups and associations from across all material sectors are collaborating to support the most comprehensive series of offsite events the country has ever seen.
With a mission to influence industry policies, challenge false perceptions and advancing industrialised construction – the Advisory Group is sharing insights from our extensive experience and the organisations we represent.
Ensuring precision focus on the sector, we act as influential ambassadors for offsite construction, ensuring that the key trends and challenges the industry faces, are addressed during the series of high-profile events that form Offsite Construction Week.
This is an opportunity not to be missed and from initial feedback and bookings, professionals from all aspects of the construction industry, are really getting behind this initiative.
