The AECO (architecture, engineering, construction, and operations) industry stands at a critical crossroads. As traditional construction methods strain under mounting pressures, flatlining productivity, fragmented supply chains, and urgent environmental targets, the need for a new approach has never been clearer.
Az Jasat, Senior Industry Manager, Industrialised Construction at Autodesk, outlines how a shift toward industrialised construction, underpinned by digital collaboration and cross-sector learning, can unlock transformative benefits.
From prefabrication and productisation to DfMA, the potential for increased efficiency, improved safety, and reduced waste is compelling.
Jasat calls for a full commitment to integrated workflows and highlights Autodesk’s pivotal role in enabling this evolution.
Az will be speaking at the upcoming Industrialised Construction Conference on July 02-03. For more information and to book your place, click HERE.
The AECO industry is currently experiencing challenges as traditional methods face new pressures and changing industry trends.
Project stakeholders are contending with everything from flatlining productivity levels to fragmented production chains and environmental goals.
Collaborative digital platforms, combined with a cross-industry approach, will revolutionise the AECO industry and help overcome these roadblocks.
Right now, we have a significant opportunity for our leading AECO and MFG (manufacturing) industries to learn from each other’s strengths to build a stronger and more scalable future.
The implementation of an industrialised construction (IC) approach will result in time and cost efficiencies, as well as improvements in environmental and workforce factors.
The key is to change the fundamental approach of the industry, and digital platforms will lay the foundation for this mindset shift.
Putting the core pillars of prefabrication, productisation, and DfMA (Design for Manufacture and Assembly) at the centre, shifts the workflow towards an integrated system which avoids silos and has effective feedback loops.
- Prefabrication: implementing a methodology of product manufacture and fabrication away from the jobsite.
- Productisation: the application of standardised, repeatable, and configurable products or ‘kits of parts’.
- DfMA: a rules-based building design process based on productisation and enabling prefabrication.
A proven benefit of this approach is time saving and consequently cost saving. There is a reduction in rework, efficiencies in the production chain, improved safety, and greater confidence in forecasting. Everyone benefits.
That is not to say that implementing IC is without its challenges. While technological developments are key, awareness and education around industrialised construction are also fundamental to success.
There remain many misconceptions about IC, such as the belief that it limits flexibility. Piecemeal adoptions can further misconceptions when benefits appear limited.
However, by fully committing to a truly integrated and collaborative approach we will see the power and scalability of this workflow.
Autodesk is committed to furthering industrialised construction, both in terms of technology and awareness.
With mature platform offerings across the Design-Build-Operate lifecycle, including a robust data management system, Autodesk is well placed to work with companies on this new approach.
Autodesk Informed Design has been created specifically to improve integrations between project phases.
By placing the MFG designs as the single source of truth for the AEC design, we ensure that a project is connected from the outset, eliminating silos and saving resources.
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