DfMA – The need to think differently about the role of the design team.
The construction industry is currently experiencing a revolution in its approach to design. The principle of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA), in conjunction with the use of standardised designs, modular construction and digital engineering through tools such as B.I.M., will assist the industrialisation of the construction process.
A tipping point for DfMA
Five years on since the first edition, the DfMA Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work 2020 comes at a seminal point in the construction industry’s evolution. DfMA is becoming embedded as part of the default, with the UK Government’s presumption in favour of offsite manufacturing enshrined in the Construction Playbook and Value Toolkit, and big commercial players investing in factories and new processes.
Architects can be seen as the natural custodians of good design and have the potential to help lead in the adoption of DfMA. The case studies presented in the Overlay demonstrate that the value and sustainability benefits brought about through MMC can go hand in hand with great architecture.
Check out our short video with industry leaders discussing collaborative projects taking place between industry and government.
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Management Capabilities
DfMA Overlay To The RIBA Plan Of Work: 2nd Edition
Document/Presentation
45 minutesOnsite Assembly
Prefabrication From Roman Forts to Modular Housing
Web link
Design for Manufacture and Assembly
DfMA: Design for Manufacture and Assembly
E-learning module
Design for Manufacture and Assembly
DfMA: Standardisation
Video
Working practices
Overview of useful organisations to work with
Document/Presentation
Energy and Carbon
The Little Book Of Net Zero
Document/Presentation
Energy and Carbon
Net Zero Carbon Buildings: A Framework Definition
Document/Presentation
Management Capabilities
DfMA – Clients, Value and Procurement
Video
Offsite Manufacture
Modular Construction In UK Housing
Document/Presentation
Design for Manufacture and Assembly
The MMC Categories
Video
Logistics
Case Study: Construction Logistics
Case Study
Logistics
Case Study: The Forge (Platform Approach)
Video
Management Capabilities
Case Study: Ten Degrees, 100a George Street (Housing, MMC Category 1)
Video
Design for Manufacture and Assembly
Design And Construction Of Lifting Beams
Document/Presentation
Logistics
Case Study: The Forge (Platform Approach)
Video
Design for Manufacture and Assembly
Design And Construction Of Lifting Beams
Document/Presentation
Management Capabilities
Case Study: Ten Degrees, 100a George Street (Housing, MMC Category 1)
Video
Bringing factory thinking to the construction process, to industrialise the…
Moving to an offsite approach has significant impacts on offsite…
The onsite assembly process is the management and culmination of…
Implementation of decisions taken at the design stage through the…
Offsite Assessment