Summary- Reader Response Draft 1

The guidebook titled, “Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction” released by the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore (BCA) (BCA, 2017) explains about the features of Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC), a construction method that heavily involves off-site construction. Construction modules that consist of several units, are manufactured in factories complete with interior finishes such as walls or toilet fixtures. The modules are then transported to the site and installed onto the building in a “Lego-like” (BCA, 2017) manner. In accordance with Hwang, Ming and Looi (2018), PPVC is unique as compared to other construction methods as construction can be done concurrently, saving cost and time. PPVC has gained popularity worldwide due to this reason and universities campuses in the United States have adopted PPVC as a way to build dormitories or classrooms efficiently (Hwang et al., 2018). In Singapore, PPVC is main approach for construction buildings such as HDB flats and university dormitories. One example of such is the North Hill Residential Halls of Nanyang Technological University as mentioned in the Global Brands Magazine website (2018). BCA has been encouraging PPVC as the main form of construction in Singapore even making it mandatory for certain land parcels under the “Government Land Sales Program” (Hwang et al., 2018)

PPVC should be encouraged by the government due to it clean means of construction and increased productivity. However, critics argue that its high initial cost of construction could deter cities from employing PPVC as a construction method.

PPVC should be encouraged by the government due to its clean means of construction. According to Pons et al. (2011), the built environment industry causes environmental damage due to its usage of non-renewable fuel sources and its inability to recycle materials. In traditional on-site construction, materials are used with the intent of using it once. After the building has surpassed its use, construction materials will go to waste. According to a construction waste management proposal document written by the European Commission (2015) Spain produced 27 million tons of waste in 2012 and 32% of these waste ends up in landfills. Shen et al. (2011) mentions that precast concrete slabs could be recycled when constructing temporary construction works thus, leading to cleaner means of construction.

Another reason why PPVC should be encouraged is due to its increase in productivity. In accordance with Ong and Yahya (2016), the use of PPVC and off-site construction allows for better productivity. On-site activities such as pouring concrete and waiting for it cure takes time. As mentioned by Ong and Yahya (2016), ‘majority of on-site activities are replaced by more efficient, faster factory processes, construction time can be shortened with the increased labour productivity’. Better productivity leads to shorter construction time and construction projects could be constructed at a faster rate saving time and money.

Despite the various advantages that PPVC offers, it does have its challenges as well. Kamali and Hewage (2016) states that high initial cost could be a reason why companies are not keen on using PPVC as a construction method. A large initial capital will be needed to source for suitable machinery and workers to run a PPVC manufacturing plant. In countries such as Singapore, companies have a large capital to be able to afford PPVC as a means for construction. However, for companies in developing parts of the world with insufficient capital, they may choose to stick to traditional on-site construction methods due to cheap labour. The lack of experience professionals with experience in PPVC also could deter companies from employing the use of PPVC such as in China (Chao, Shen, Wei & Ye, 2013).

In conclusion, there is adequate evidence to support the benefits of PPVC and why the Singapore government has been encouraging the use of it. PPVC technologies have cause a breakthrough in the construction industry due to its numerous productivity and cost benefits as well as many other contributing factors. However, companies must decide carefully if they should use PPVC due to its limitation factors such as its high initial cost. Ultimately, the invention of modular construction methods such as PPVC could be highly useful in the near future and this technology could be improved on to form better construction methods. 

 

 Hwang, B.-G., Shan, M., & Looi, K. Y. (2018). Knowledge-based decision support system for prefabricated prefinished volumetric construction. Automation in Construction, Vol 94. 

Building Construction Authority of Singapore (2018). Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction. 

Global Brands Magazine. (2016, January 12). NTU builds Singapore’s first “Lego-style” high-rise residences. Global Brands Magazine. https://www.globalbrandsmagazine.com/ntu-builds-singapores-first-lego-style-high-rise-residences/

Rui, O. Y., & Yahya, K. (2016). The Productivity Rate of Prefabricated Pre-Finished Volumetric Construction (PPVC). Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

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