How are You Preparing for the Future Based Upon Anticipat- ed Demand and Growth in the Offsite Construction Market? Ochs: So that we can continue to perform to the expectations of our clients, we are investing in additional space and technology, conduct- ing outreach to the next generation of builders, and adding skilled crew to our team. Weber: For my company, ensuring homeowners know their options helps them make a well-informed decision. In my role supporting ce- ment-based, concrete wall systems, it’s important to share the benefits of each technology based upon the location. That difference may be the amount of insulation required for energy codes, available installers of the systems, etc. There is one common message I always provide with a concrete wall system; it doesn’t burn; provides protection from high wind events like hurricanes and tornadoes; is energy efficient; and is quiet and comfortable. With current price-points of wood and increased insurance costs, concrete building systems are a product of choice with competitive first costs and lower monthly operating costs for the homeowner. Perry: At NAHB we’re positioned to provide offsite construction guidance and information to our members offering as many options as possible. We have a new complementary guide that highlights the offsite construction industry and the types of building and construction systems: Homebuyers’ Guide to Offsite Construction . Armstrong: At SIPA (Structural Insulated Panel Assoc.) we are explor - ing expanding our fabricator/distributor model to meet the demand of large manufacturers, developers, and homebuilders nationwide. Making the large panels available for shipping throughout the nation allows fab- ricators at the local level to cut in the doors, windows, and edges per final construction drawings much more cost effectively. Local project owners can focus on the final fabrication of the structural insulated panel (SIP) and installation into their building project. We also want to make sure that everyone understands the benefits of offsite construction in regard to time and budget savings on a project. SIPs go the extra mile both in eliminating crowded job sites and minimizing time on the jobsite. For instance, a three-story, 61,000SF SIP apartment complex in Grand Junc- tion, Colorado was installed in 14 business days. The job was completed in about one-third the anticipated time and required less onsite supervi- sion and no specialized tools when compared to onsite construction. Semler: We’re working to develop a nationwide network of factories that will rival our current nationwide coverage as a builder. Developers are now exploring modular construction like never before. The prob- lem we have now is an industry that lacks capacity, and we lack people with the skills to start up factories and who understand the process of turning construction into a manufacturing process. We’re working to deliver housing as a service to developers whereby we can not only build the house in the factory, but we can work with the developer from design, manufacture, delivery, installation and through to completion. How Does Working with an Engineering Who is Experienced in this Method Make the Process More Efficient? Ochs: For us it’s essential. We typically work with several engineers and designers familiar with our building system. Even if we receive plans from other architects, engineers, or designers we’ll have them redesigned
to fit within our system and send them to our engineer. At the end of the day, like any contractor, we rise, and fall based on how closely we adhere to schedule and work with engineers experienced in devising solutions incorporating offsite for differing construction applications. Weber: Cement-based, concrete wall systems are well established in the commercial sector, and now with decades of growth in the above grade, the exterior wall market for single family detached homes has attained over 10 percent annual market share. Having an experienced design/build team on board saves money by offering a streamlined building process utilizing the latest technologies. However, manufac - turers of the various systems have programs to support builders during their transition from other building technologies. Perry: Having an engineer who clearly understands offsite construc - tion and its benefits and challenges, as well as understanding the as - sembly once product is on site is a huge value-add. Not only are you getting the benefits of the flexibility and cost savings of offsite con - struction, but you’re also getting the know-how. There is no substitute for experience in the field. Armstrong: Without a doubt, working with engineers experienced in SIPs, like Tamarack Grove, is ideal as it allows best practices and implementation of SIP construction designs. SIPA’s Resource Page offers best practices for this innovative technology. While offsite construction isn’t a replacement for traditional construction, it offers an alternative that can make a project affordable and efficient while it solves a myriad of site and geographical issues. The multiple benefits of off-site construction continue to give it broad and growing appeal to a world that is constantly challenged by cost fluctuations in all sectors. Semler: It’s critical to have the right engineer. Offsite modular con- struction isn’t a wrong way to build, it’s a different way to build! But it’s so different that an engineer who doesn’t know the basics and the tricks of using modular construction can cost you money and time thereby defeating two of the biggest reasons to use offsite construc- tion. Offsite is a completely new way to build and it all starts with design — poor design will cost you tremendously later in the process. So much of the installation work and the finished work and costs can be designed out of a project before it ever leaves the engineers office. Again, the right engineer is critical. Sielaff: Offsite manufacturing processes are a wave of the future. To be able to analyze any material from a prefabricated manufacture, whether it be panelized, modular, log, timber, or concrete, offers our staff the ability to literally think outside of the box with structural engineering practices. Proper education of clients, architects, and contractors on what offsite con- struction can do for their project is essential in the times we’re in. Our clients are developers, architects, contractors and owners design- ing and building custom log home residences; modular commercial office buildings/hotels/multi-family; insulated concrete pre-cast wall panelized residence; heavy timber frame residences; and structural insulated wall and roof panelized commercial and residential projects all over North America. Tamarack Grove will continue to educate the world one day at a time on the concept of offsite construction and the value it offers their projects.
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April 2023 csengineermag.com
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