We all know that the Building Component Manufacturers Conference (BCMC) is THE place to go when you want to see the latest and greatest from suppliers to the structural building components industry. Now that BCMC has been combined with the annual Framer’s Summit, the resulting BCMC | FS show is able to offer an even wider view of the current and future trends in off-site construction.
In addition to visiting with the suppliers whose companies I have known for years, at BCMC this year I stopped by the booth for Safe Arbor. Their exhibitor description was short and simple, “Our Instatec Modular Building System effectively converts naturally occurring materials––abundant forest waste––into better building solutions. Instatec will improve builders’ bottom lines, enable faster builds, at lower costs, while helping address the home affordability crisis.” At face value, this was well-packaged marketing text, but my discussion in the booth was much more interesting than I anticipated.
Naturally, my biggest question was: Will the resulting building accommodate roof trusses? The answer: Yes!
The Instatec system is structurally capable of supporting trusses. Their self-described “LEGO-like” modular system allows for the specification of wall, floor, and ceiling modules in a variety of sizes. [For all images, See PDF or View in Full Issue.]
What interested me the most was how Safe Arbor uses small-diameter timber and the forest floor “waste” that contributes to wildfires, and even charred wood can be incorporated into their 3D OSB panels.
When you “look at the numbers,” the Instatec system offers impressive advantages too. Their patented structural panels not only allow for a fast and easy install of the building envelope––reducing framing time by 80% without the need of skilled labor––but the system also structurally outperforms standard stick framing by more than 400%. By standardizing and simplifying the installation of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) inside its 3D molded installation channels, the Instatec system enables additional savings by reducing time for rough-in of electrical by 50% and plumbing by 25%, with an overall cost savings of up to 25% for a build. Moreover, the preinsulted Instatec exterior panels have an R value of 30. Plus, the wall modules have a white fire-resistant and weather-proof coating, further enhancing the energy efficiency and building envelope resiliency.
Is the rendering of the Instatec system reminiscent of 2001: A Space Odyssey? Yes. Is that a bad thing? No. There is no HAL in this picture––there is only human ingenuity and a desire to make sustainable construction more efficient and less expensive.
That the system relies on OSB is also a great blend of something old and something new. Oriented strand board has been around for 60 years, and it is commonly used in construction for roof and floor sheathing as well as flooring and subfloors. But, turning it into a comprehensive 3D structure is new. As Safe Arbor states, “In today’s housing market, where affordability remains a primary challenge, OSB plays another pivotal role: lowering costs of essential construction materials without compromising strength. More efficient use of wood fiber translates into broader supply and less reliance on premium logs, meaning access to building products at price points more favorable for contractors and homeowners alike. In the current environment of lumber price volatility, this stability is no small advantage.”
So, for component manufacturers looking to improve or expand their current production capacity, Safe Arbor was unlike other BCMC exhibitors offering machinery to accomplish that. But, when it comes to envisioning future directions that off-site construction may take, their booth offered much food for thought.
This booth was a welcome reminder that we may live in the present and use our past for the lessons it has taught us, but the future remains open to possibilities.