I feel I would not have come this far if I were to only stay on at sixth form.
Our DfMA journey.We began to use the term ‘Platforms’ (P-DfMA) while working with the UK Government Ministry of Justice (MOJ), the Infrastructure Projects Authority (IPA) and the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC).
It was the MTC that first introduced us to the concept of Platforms.The MOJ wanted to design a new type of prison focused on rehabilitation.We realised that the manufacturing component of the construction process could be taught to serving prisoners, helping to train them in marketable skills for use on release, and aiding rehabilitation.
We also realised that the sort of P-DfMA systems we were designing for the MOJ could then be transferred across to other government infrastructure projects, thereby facilitating the wider adoption of these beneficial, lean construction processes.. Bryden Wood published the first book on platform design in 2017 (.new updated edition of Platforms book available to download here. )
and we have continued to expand on and optimise Platforms and other MMC methodologies in our work with both public and private sector clients.
We’ve never sought to patent our work and we have open sourced the code for both of our construction design apps - SEISMIC and PRISM.This is where we start to see how we get to an open and transparent marketplace..
The diagram below is one we often use to explain Platform construction.In the centre are the physical elements: superstructure, envelope, fit out and MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing).
Surrounding these are the supporting activities and tools which inform and leverage the physical components: spatial analysis, digital tools, and delivery.. ‘Spatial Analysis’.uses data from projects or programmes to create insight into what should be included in the physical ‘kit of parts’.