Including discussions/reviews with the client, conversations, and formal RFQ with supply chain.

We can’t expect to get into digital twins and smart assets, if we aren’t making the most of the data we already have access to.. Further exploration into the future of construction.Professor Glass explains that as we turn our efforts towards shaping the future of construction, one of the areas we need to prioritise is our action on net zero and climate change.

With construction currently contributing 39% to global carbon emissions, we simply aren’t moving fast enough and the issue needs to be brought forward.She also says that while her team has really begun to understand the business model innovation that’s possible, they don’t yet understand how to take it forward.Action research is needed to be able to study and do at the same time.

Testing out some different business models on live construction projects would be risky, she says, but also a magnificent opportunity.. Bryden Wood has previously discussed the fact that the issues currently holding back the construction industry aren’t the technical aspects, but rather the cultural issues, insurances, warranties etc.In essence, we need someone to take the brakes off, overcoming the friction and constraints.

COVID-19 facilitated that to a certain extent, with companies forced to transition to digital very quickly and managing to do so successfully.

However, while every other sector has experienced disruption to their business model creating major changes, construction is very risk averse and the implications are long-term.We believe having this greater provenance over our components addresses the question of warranties and insurance, and creates a much lower risk profile on a construction project.

What’s more, the idea of pre-prototyping components before we get to site should mean there is very little left to learn.Ultimately, this creates far fewer opportunities for snags and delays.. Reducing risk in construction and attracting investors.

Changing the risk profile of construction should unlock investment into the industry.As things stand, we know from talking to funders that construction is seen as the riskiest investment option by far.