The Laing O’Rourke Centre for Construction Engineering and Technology at the University of Cambridge and CIRIA have launched a new report unveiling a new methodology for quantifying the benefits of offsite construction.
Uptake of offsite construction is still slow, despite the benefits it offers in terms of improved health and safety, speed, and predictability of cost and time. O’Rourke said this was in part due to there being no industry method for assessing the benefits of offsite techniques.
The new guide proposes a framework for comparing construction approaches, making it possible to keep consistent records across projects and identify all the possible benefits available. It also highlights the challenges that can be expected when assessing the performance of construction projects and developing robust benchmarks for comparison. It provides a framework for evaluating project performance that can be used by clients, construction management teams and designers to assess the value and benefits achieved on projects.
Professor Lord Robert Mair, emeritus Sir Kirby Laing professor of civil engineering and director of research at the University of Cambridge said: “There is compelling evidence for more widespread adoption of offsite manufacture in construction. Yet a methodology for quantifying its benefits is much needed. The process outlined in this excellent report provides an invaluable guide for industry professionals, such as contractors and project managers, as well as those who are influential in decision-making on construction projects, including clients, advisors and policy makers.”
The guide is available to download freely from www.ciria.org/c792.
