Why Construction Needs a Dose of Radical Thinking

How realistic is it to think that an industry where productivity levels have stagnated for over 20 years is going to be transformed through incremental improvements? The reality is that the industry learning how to do what it currently does a bit better won’t reduce the increasing gap between requirements and build programmes or remove the expectation that major construction projects will be probably delivered late and over budget.

And is there a realistic answer to the skills crisis beyond the aspiration to widen recruitment beyond the traditional pool of labour? A lot of good work is being done in the areas of inclusion and diversity, but a fundamental challenge remains: if the industry works in much the same way as it always has, will it deliver the results it has always done and why would it become attractive to people who’ve never considered it in the past?

Can broadening of recruitment realistically keep pace with skilled worker retirements and a possible exodus of overseas labour?

New Ideas and Approaches

For a host of reasons, traditional methods (even with better technology) will not be the answer. The challenge has grown to a size that demands more radical solutions. Fortunately, we don’t have to invent the solution, we just need to make more use of what’s already here.

Without any compromise on building design, function or performance, building with SIPs (structural insulated panels) in a panelised offsite solution can:

• Reduce build times by up to 30%
• Deliver greater confidence in budgets and timings
• Provide better guarantees of build quality and thermal performance
• Shrink the demand for skilled onsite labour
• Improve the integration of design and build to ensure buildability

The temptation to stick with the familiar is always strong. But when the ‘familiar’ is proven to be failing and not up to the challenge, then where’s the biggest risk: sticking with what you know probably won’t work or opting for an approach that has proven it can deliver the outcomes you need?

We have a wealth of case studies which show how SIPs and Innovaré’s integrated approach to design, manufacture, and installation have delivered excellent quality alongside cost and budget savings across housing, healthcare and education construction projects.