Sustainability in design: the future of net zero building

The students, who are in their final year as undergraduates or doing postgraduate studies in engineering, to a person, held a passion for positive change.

All of the technologies and initiatives we’ll outline here are underpinned by, or based around, the idea of using standardised, repeatable components.This convergence of components and processes unlocks the true power of digital, data and manufacturing.. D for design in DfMA: digital design tools, simulation and optimisation.

At Bryden Wood, we have developed digital configurators as early-stage design tools.This new construction technology enables a much faster design process than traditional methods.Our PRiSM and SEiSMIC design apps are already in use for housing and school design, respectively.

We have also created an algorithmic, computational design system called Rapid Engineering Model (REM) for Highways England.REM enables the early design stages of Smart Motorways Programme (SMP) schemes to be designed automatically.

In addition, we’ve devised a similar, digital framework for Network Rail.

This variety of uses demonstrates the broad capabilities of these digital design tools, which are beneficial not only for buildings, but also for linear infrastructure on a greater, geospatial, country-wide level.. Our experience here tells us that rather than designing things from scratch in the future, more and more work will be done using algorithmic design.The pre-manufactured components of platform construction (P-DfMA) systems are specifically designed to be standardised and mass-produced by a wide supply chain, like the mechanical components of a car, to deliver the greatest possible factory efficiency and economies of scale..

The components can be easily transported and moved, and they fit together quickly and simply on site with the least amount of handling.Platform construction systems are designed to be flexible and customisable to avoid limiting design freedom and allow massing, form and aesthetic treatments to be considered on a plot-specific basis.. Driving value with MMC and P-DfMA.

Construction platforms are an example of an approach to DfMA that relies on both off-site and on-site construction works, bringing the best aspects of both.The division of fabrication and assembly tasks has been carefully considered to maximise the efficiency of both factory prefabrication and on-site assembly.