The building construction industry faces several challenges created by traditional building methods. One of the bigger challenges is that each trade is largely siloed from the other trades on a project, which can lead to schedule conflicts and communication gaps. MiTek sees the Design, Make, Build (DMB) approach to construction as the solution with benefits that enable all partners to work together to meet the global demand for smarter, more affordable, and sustainable buildings and communities
Around the world, we’re seeing the proliferation of off-site construction including new types of components and modular construction. What we aren’t seeing is a formal industry arise to support the successful adoption of off-site construction. MiTek is committed to enabling that industry by delivering solutions and bringing the right kind of products, technology, and best practices across the building industry to empower transformational breakthroughs in design and construction of both on-site and off-site.
Here, we’re focusing on Make, but we must acknowledge the importance of the Design phase and how it can lead to success in the Make phase.
Little, if anything at all, is left to chance in the Make and Build phases when they’re preceded by Design. Whether components or volumetric modular, we’re fabricating the product in a shop away from the job site, so the design intent must be fully captured, understood, and communicated with clarity before it hits the shop floor in order to achieve success on the job site.
In the Design phase, key partners from Make and Build contribute their expertise to create a successful design and construction plan. An important part of the Make phase of DMB is when the component manufacturer provides the designer/architect with the fabrication specifications to ensure products manufactured off-site in the Make phase are exact and meet the expectations set in the Design phase.
By including the component manufacturer in the Design phase, the designer/architect can incorporate the most cost-effective and efficient approach into the plan. This collaborative approach allows all voices to be heard and each partner’s priority to be met – design, budget, schedule, etc.
In conventional building construction methods, a builder may expect an architect to share their design with minimal or no coordination with the component fabricator. Consider how the situations could be improved if we were to approach it in a wholistic way where the thought processes are no longer limited to someone’s design division or fabrication solution but become a transformational thought process that brings together all phases of the build process by giving a voice to all partners at all levels. The sales team at Buffalo Framing & Truss serving the Austin, Texas market has played a critical role in this portion of the process. By getting more involved in the Design process, this MiTek partner has been able to successfully introduce wall panel components in structures that were planned to be stick framed leading to an increase in quality, reductions in cycle time, and the minimizing of on-site waste.
Having a complete and accurate design will help with purchasing inventory, minimizing waste, and improving safety conditions for employees. A digital model is part of that accurate design which can improve inventory and safety, and influence automation to manufacturing of the components off-site. MiTek has tools to precision cut and mark lumber to manufacture roof trusses, wall panels, and floor cassettes, helping to change the balance between off-site and on-site construction.
Improve quality and productivity
It’s unlikely we’ll automate the many steps involved in more complex multi-trade components like a fully outfitted wall or a volumetric room anytime soon, so that’s when technology can assist. MiTek believes there’s a way to increase clarity and reduce ambiguity by bringing the accurate, detailed, and coordinated digital asset into the plant and make it as clear as possible, so the installers can get it right the first time. When it comes to components like wall panels, floor panels, and trusses, we can ensure and preserve the design intent by leveraging automation, which leads to repeatability.
The quality of the product is improved in the Make phase when Mother Nature is no longer a factor. In a climate-controlled environment, the process is more efficient because components are not impacted by weather. Manufactured products lead to faster installation on the jobsite because they are stacked in order and stored until they are ready to be delivered.
Multiple issues can arise when inventory is kept on-site. Lumber stored and cut at the site can lead to job site waste, risk of injury, and potential for theft from the job site.
Safety is greatly improved with off-site construction. Components are assembled at ergonomically appropriate heights leading to fewer accidents and reduced wear and tear on the crew members. For example, the team at JL Schwieters in Hugo, Minnesota install safety connection points directly into their floor cassettes. This provides a safe and secure tie off point for the field installation teams of this MiTek partner.
By choosing off-site construction, the designs are created in the computer, which provides a detailed list of materials needed, eliminating or significantly reducing the waste. Each nail, board, and tile are accounted for in the design leading to a more accurate cost estimate. By delivering finished components to the jobsite, we minimize theft and maximize the construction of the building with the components.
As a whole, the DMB approach allows for greater quality control because there are checkpoints at each stage in the process. Owners will be thrilled to learn how the DMB approach can streamline much of the process and lead to a more precise delivery schedule and reduced cycle times.
The greatest payoff in the Make phase may very well be the reduction of cycle time paired with deeper understanding of the designs and costs upfront, which will ultimately lead to reduction in cost and increase in quality.
As we prepare to transition from Make to Build – much like the transition from Design to Make where we have highly detailed set of instructions for fabrication, we want to extend those same benefits on the backend of the process out of the factory and onto the job site.
MiTek is committed to fostering value-added relationships throughout the supply chain using DMB – an approach that will transform the building industry with breakthrough solutions and that enables all partners to work better together to meet the global demand for smarter, more affordable, and sustainable buildings and communities.