Why Off-Site
If offered consistent quality...
Off-site construction offers a modern approach to housing and non-residential construction projects. By introducing a higher level of precision and efficiency into the build process in a controlled factory setting, building elements are produced to tight tolerances, significantly reducing the variability typically encountered in traditional on-site construction. As a result, off-site construction improves the ‘as built’ performance of the finished building.
and faster delivery...
Utilising off-site construction methods not only ensures a consistent quality but, when planned correctly, also reduces overall programme time. Industry and UK government reports estimate that programme savings of 30% can be achieved if off-site construction techniques are appropriately used in a project. This is achieved in several ways:
- The first and most obvious is the delivery of elements to site at a higher level of completion. When sections of the building are delivered instead of raw materials, the building can be assembled much more quickly, getting to a weathertight shell in days rather than weeks. This in turn allows finishing trades to start inside the building at the same time as the external cladding is being finished.
- But before this delivery, there are additional savings to be gained through streamlined processes. As an example, the factory elements can be manufactured simultaneously with site preparation and groundworks, then delivered as soon as the on-site works are completed, accelerating project completion.
- Finally, off-site manufacture minimises the impact of unpredictable conditions that can often delay or complicate projects due to the delightful inconsistency of the UK’s weather.
at a predictable cost...
Beyond quality and speed, well managed off-site construction projects can deliver substantial cost benefits. By leveraging factory production techniques and improved supply chain logistics, projects can achieve economies of scale and repetition that are hard to replicate in more traditional building programs. Combined with lower material waste on-site, consistent quality reducing on-site rework, less reliance on on-site trades and reduced site programmes, off-site projects can deliver significant savings.
Off-site construction is not the answer to all of construction’s cost challenges, and is not a ‘bolt on’ (please excuse the pun) solution for every project. But if planned correctly to maximise the benefits, with early design team integration and clear productivity goals, the enhanced predictability of project timelines and budgets gives a significant opportunity to enhance project value.
with improved sustainability performance...
Sustainability performance is key to any modern construction project, and the use of off-site construction can be a significant tool in improving building performance. The factory-controlled environment ensures a high standard of quality control that, when combined with well-executed installation on-site, can help to eliminate the gap between ‘as designed’ and ‘as built’ performance. Combined with the use of high-performance insulation, sustainable lightweight materials and systems that can be designed to be demounted and re-used at the end of life, this factory quality can help to deliver projects that support the transition to a low carbon economy.
When working with Saint-Gobain Off-Site Solutions, you have access to decades of research into how buildings perform over their lifetime. This is supported by our architectural and calculation services, designed to help you deliver a building that performs for those who live, work or learn there.
while delivering safety, and optimising skills...
The use of well-designed off-site systems creates safer working conditions compared to the dynamic conditions found on traditional job sites. Our systems are designed to reduce working from height, and where possible are supplied in consolidated loads that reduce site movements and deliveries, helping to reduce the risk to site teams.
Off-site manufacture consolidates much of the construction process to a controlled factory location for production by trained, specialist teams. This consolidation means fewer trade professionals are required on-site, limiting the impact of the looming construction skills crisis and allowing limited resources to be focused where they can deliver the most impact.
...why would you not go off-site?
The adoption of off-site construction for projects represents a forward-thinking strategy that helps to address challenges in the construction industry while aiming to deliver enhanced performance, cost savings, and environmental benefits. But off-site construction is not new, and is not untested. The technologies and solutions supplied by Saint-Gobain Off-Site Solutions are designed by us, are third party accredited, and managed under ISO and industry standard validated processes.
However, by bringing our brands and solutions together under a single banner, Saint-Gobain is doing something different. Until recently, the adoption of off-site was limited by the need to work either with different suppliers for each of your off-site construction requirements, or by the need to adopt a single system or methodology that might not suit every project. By working with Saint-Gobain Off-Site Solutions, this is no longer the case.
Contact us to find out more.
Case Study: Barnesville Close, Midland Heart Housing Association
Case Study: Skylark House, Scottish Highlands
Case Study: Flagship Homes, Great Ellingham, Norfolk
We’d love to discuss your next project and how we can support you. Please leave your contact details and we’ll be in touch.