A recent survey of AEC firms and real estate owners and developers found a strong majority that had deployed off-site construction in the previous 12 months and planned to utilize it to a greater extent going forward.
The Off-Site Construction Council of the National Institute of Building Sciences in Washington, D.C. conducted its 2018 Off-Site Construction Industry Survey as a follow-up to a 2014 survey to gauge the industry’s interest in off-site construction, which it defines as the planning, design, fabrication, and assembly of building elements at a location other than their final point of assembly onsite.
Ryan Smith of Washington State University and Kambaja Tarr of the University of Utah conducted and compiled the latest survey for NIBS.
“With the ongoing shortage of skilled craft workers (which exceeded two million in 2017), prefabrication in a controlled, off-site environment may become a necessity for many U.S. contractors attempting to remain competitive with a lower-skilled workforce,” the survey states. But as with any new process or technology innovation, and despite growing demand, ”uncertainties accompany the utilization of off-site construction.”
The commercial, multifamily and healthcare sectors are where off-site construction has been finding its greatest demand. Image: NIBS
A total of 205 participants responded to the 2018 Off-Site Construction Industry survey, versus 312 respondents to the 2014 poll. The participating companies provide a variety of different services, including construction management/general contracting (24.75% in 2018; 46.7% in 2014), engineering (21.72% and 38.3%), trade contracting (2.53% and 27.3%), architecture (87.88% and 15%), and owners/developers (10.1% and 8.3%).
Nearly nine of 10 respondents to the 2018 survey (87.72%) had used off-site fabricated components to some degree over the previous 12 months, and more than eight in 10 (81.63%) expected to engage off-site construction more often or the same amount in the following 12 months. (Both percentages were down slightly from the 2014 survey.)
The primary benefit identified in both surveys is a reduced overall project schedule, specifically the duration of the construction phase.
For more than three fifths of respondents (63.22%) designers, architects and engineers were the primary decision makers about when off-site construction is implemented, followed by construction managers or general contractors (47.67%), clients (41.97%), and others, primarily subcontractors (21.24%).
Keeping projects on schedule is where companies that deploy off-site construction have been seeing the greatest benefit. Image: NIBS
Interestingly, however, respondents stated that the most significant barrier to off-site construction is the culture of design and construction in general. Comments indicated that late design changes, lack of collaboration and an adversarial climate for project delivery leads to difficulties in realizing the benefits of off-site construction.
The survey notes that the building component fabrication industry is still maturing and needs more time to integrate effectively with site-built work. In addition, contractors are still learning how to manage off-site products for assembly on-site.
Transportation is another significant barrier: specifically, how far away a factory is located from the construction site.
Respondents in both surveys qualitatively noted that some projects, particularly those with long spans, may not be suited for the use of pre-fabricated elements, and that each project has unique requirements that must be met through an appropriate technical solution.
Related Stories
Healthcare Facilities | Mar 26, 2023
UC Davis Health opens new eye institute building for eye care, research, and training
UC Davis Health recently marked the opening of the new Ernest E. Tschannen Eye Institute Building and the expansion of the Ambulatory Care Center (ACC). Located in Sacramento, Calif., the Eye Center provides eye care, vision research, and training for specialists and investigators. With the new building, the Eye Center’s vision scientists can increase capacity for clinical trials by 50%.
Multifamily Housing | Mar 24, 2023
Average size of new apartments dropped sharply in 2022
The average size of new apartments in 2022 dropped sharply in 2022, as tracked by RentCafe. Across the U.S., the average new apartment size was 887 sf, down 30 sf from 2021, which was the largest year-over-year decrease.
Transportation & Parking Facilities | Mar 23, 2023
Amsterdam debuts underwater bicycle parking facility that can accommodate over 4,000 bikes
In February, Amsterdam saw the opening of a new underwater bicycle parking facility. Located in the heart of the city—next to Amsterdam Central Station and under the river IJ (Amsterdam’s waterfront)—the facility, dubbed IJboulevard, has parking spots for over 4,000 bicycles, freeing up space on the street.
Geothermal Technology | Mar 22, 2023
Lendlease secures grants for New York’s largest geothermal residential building
Lendlease and joint venture partner Aware Super, one of Australia’s largest superannuation funds, have acquired $4 million in support from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to build a geoexchange system at 1 Java Street in Brooklyn. Once completed, the all-electric property will be the largest residential project in New York State to use a geothermal heat exchange system.
Women in Design+Construction | Mar 21, 2023
Two leading women in construction events unite in 2023
The new Women in Residential + Commercial Construction Conference (WIR+CC) will take place in Nashville, Tenn., October 25-27, 2023. Combining these two long-standing events aligns with our mission to create an event most impactful for women in the $1.4 trillion U.S. commercial and residential design and construction industry.
Building Team | Mar 8, 2023
Call for Speakers: BD+C’s 2023 Women in Residential + Commercial Construction Conference
The 2023 Women in Residential + Commercial Construction conference event will take place October 25-27 in Nashville, Tenn., and will bring together more than 300 women leaders from all facets of the $1.4 trillion U.S. residential and commercial constructing sector.
Industry Research | Mar 2, 2023
Watch: Findings from Gensler's latest workplace survey of 2,000 office workers
Gensler's Janet Pogue McLaurin discusses the findings in the firm's 2022 Workplace Survey, based on responses from more than 2,000 workers in 10 industry sectors.
Museums | Jan 18, 2023
Building memory: Why interpretive centers matter in an era of social change
The last few years have borne witness to some of the most rapid cultural shifts in our nation’s long history. If the experience has taught us anything, it is that we must find a way to keep our history in view, while also putting it in perspective.
Hotel Facilities | Nov 8, 2022
6 hotel design trends for 2022-2023
Personalization of the hotel guest experience shapes new construction and renovation, say architects and construction experts in this sector.
Resiliency | Nov 8, 2022
Oregon wildfire risk law prompts extensive backlash from property owners
A bipartisan bill aimed at protecting property owners from wildfires that was passed by the Oregon legislature has prompted a strong backlash.