The construction sector has never been short of aspirations. Whether it’s delivering projects on time and within budget, or with enhanced outcomes in terms of sustainability, quality, performance and future maintenance, the industry has talked a good game.
In spite of that, real measurable progress towards delivering the vision mapped out by the Construction Playbook has been patchy. Productivity and quality levels remained stagnant and the industry clung on to outdated methods because that was the ‘safe space’.
Similarly, the industry in general has been off the pace needed to deliver meaningful carbon reduction and progress towards net zero.
Core Deliverables or Added Value?
So what does it take to drive change? The evidence from DfE procurement frameworks and the Output Specification is that laying down clear expectations is critical. Desirable outcomes have to be core deliverables rather than added value options.
Expectations can be high level, such as an assumption that projects will be delivered using MMC. They can also be highly detailed performance specifications that would be difficult to guarantee without opting for a manufactured construction solution.
The most recent iteration of the Output Specification includes more challenging fabric efficiency standards and energy use intensity targets that exceed current building regulations. It’s also expected that onsite renewables will meet all of the operational energy needs of the building.
Revolution or Evolution?
The message seems to be about ambition; that radical and fundamental change is more sustainable than piecemeal change. And that driving change through clear performance expectations that are hard wired into procurement rules is the way forward.
Once you accept and specify that MMC is the preferred option the whole landscape changes. Moving away from method-agnostic specifications and designs means you can fully embrace standardised building elements and platform-based construction methods to deliver economies of scale and sustained performance improvements from project to project.
If you’d like to know more about how Innovaré panelised building systems can transform project outcomes contact enquiries@innovaresystems.co.uk or take a look at our resource centre.
