At Bryden Wood, we’ve started an initiative called the Framework for Robotics and Automated Construction (F.R.A.C.).
With so many industry stakeholders, it’s inevitable that we’ll face a certain amount of confusion and miscommunication as we await consensus on exact definitions.In fact, academics might spend an entire career trying to define a term, as these definitions facilitate clarification and understanding, enabling work to be positioned accordingly.
However, it’s important that we agree to draw a line under the process at some point, asserting that a consensus on meaning has been reached..Equally, we must recognise just how crucial construction standards are, particularly as the industry modernises and transforms.UK construction companies have been slow to enable staff to be part of committees where standards are created.
This is a missed opportunity, as all parties should be working together to advance the whole industry in this regard.Regulations should have a significant and authoritative amount of input as they are developed, particularly given the long-term nature of the work, with buildings expected to last between 60-100 years.
Equally, spending more time in the design phase of a project would enable us to truly understand the brief and open up the problem statement, ultimately preventing projects beset with difficulties as a result of a lack of planning.. One challenge we’ll face going forward is that, as innovation increases and we begin to iterate more quickly, the lag between innovation happening and standards struggling to keep up, will begin to get in the way.
The construction industry will need to find better ways to reach a consensus faster and deliver better outcomes.MMC technologies unlock potential to evolve our role as designers.
With the time saving benefits created, we are able to design more buildings and infrastructure to a higher standard.Automation and digital technology give us the ability to explore more possible solutions in less time, choosing the best from a broader set of options.. PRiSM helps designers and architects to save time usually spent reinterpreting rules from design guides and building regulations.
After all, it’s in the placemaking, the creation of positive user experience and stimulating aesthetic, that designers have the biggest impact and provide the most value in their work - not in repetitive processes like rules reinterpretation.It’s also important to recognise that tools like PRiSM don’t need to limit beauty or individuality in the built environment.