, but rather the choices we make upfront relating to the design, manufacture and assembly process..

‘We aren’t aware of anyone doing it in this way before,’ says Johnston, ‘because anyone who could do the stakeholder piece couldn’t then design the DfMA systems and vice versa...’.As the Reading project demonstrates, working in this way drives a great number of efficiencies and Johnston remarks that ‘Circle were highly supportive of the design and delivery approach developed for them evolving in this way,’ noting that they ‘have always been keen to share best practice with other clients.’.

Indeed, as Wood points out, the benefits of Platforms can be applied across typologies, from healthcare to educational facilities and housing.As time progresses and ushers in vastly increased productivity demands for the construction industry, the use of digital technologies and automation will provide a key solution to facilitating the necessary increases, as well as generating an array of client, end-user and societal benefits.It’s a methodology which facilitates higher accuracy, reduced costs, less waste, improved user experience and performance.. To this end, Circle Reading provides a glimpse into the efficiency anchored future of architecture, delivering a 25% cost savings on Circle’s previous Bath hospital and being delivered in just over eighteen months.

Uniquely, the focus for the facility was designed to be on cost per clinical outcome, rather than square meterage, or other metrics traditionally associated with buildings.In addition to this, Wood comments that patient experience ‘was paramount.’ ‘Circle Reading, we believe,’ he says, ‘balances these two factors to a degree that’s not been seen in hospitals, certainly in the UK, before.’.

Ultimately, such a unique focus has brought to life a space which, at its most fundamental level, is designed to be the most effective type of hospital.

Still, as Wood reflects, there isn’t anything ‘utilitarian’ about Circle Reading.Additionally, she adds, given that not everything warrants productisation, architects will be able to spend more time doing the work they came into the industry to do - the more artistic work, and the work more specifically related to the end-user experience.. Jaimie Johnston agrees there’s a massive opportunity on offer for designers with industrialised construction.. “The people who write the standards don't necessarily understand the implications; clients want the value, but don't know how to do it; product producers have no product know-how to make the bits.

It should be the designers that are stitching all those bits together, understanding those standards, understanding what's available.That's a massive role.

It's a very interesting role,” he says..Still, Johnston acknowledges that the design community is currently meeting the idea of DfMA with more fear than excitement.. “The old cookie-cutter buildings get trotted out as a reason not to do DfMA,” he says.