Promoting Off-Site Construction: Future Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

TG74 is a task group consisting of researchers, academics, and practitioners associated with manufactured construction research, teaching, and practice. The purpose of this workshop was to develop the research agenda for off-site construction, with a particular emphasis on short- to medium-term priorities. The initial nine areas proposed for the workshop were developed over a period of six months with academics and practitioners. This culminated in three online conference validation sessions hosted over the Internet. The practitioners occupied senior positions in industry, such as the chief executive officer, head of research and development for a manufactured construction company, head of project management of a large construction company, and a senior partner from a leading consultancy firm. The first area covered during discussions was design technology. Both groups were of the view that this was an important area. However, in order for organizations to implement this effectively, they needed to have a good understanding of the design process.