Offsite Construction in Wood: Reinventing the Role of the Design Professional

Prefabrication, modularization, offsite and industrialized construction are increasingly being used as strategies to address mounting supply chain challenges, labor shortages, and escalating costs. The market for factory-based construction continues to rise in the U.S., especially in multi-family housing, as developers seek alternatives to conventional delivery models. The approaches are also evolving. In particular, this type of construction changes the planning and procurement processes, and therefore the scope of various project team members. This webinar examines how the roles of architect and engineer are changing to meet the demand of offsite construction workflows. 

By the end of the course, you will be able to do the following:

• Evaluate the benefits and challenges with the use of modular construction related to code compliance, construction safety and speed. 
• Discuss unique design considerations for modular projects, including spans, fire resistance, and acoustic performance. 
• Review the design implications of the use of off-site wood construction, in terms of construction types, materials permissions and other International Building Code compliance items. 
• Highlight how pre-planning and coordination between the design team and modular component manufacturer can lead to efficiencies in the fabrication and installation process for wood-frame projects. 

Recorded courses are available on The Wood Institute. You must create a free account to take these on-demand courses.