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If a car can be manufactured with millimetre precision, why not a house, an industrial building or an infrastructure? Building faster, more precisely and at lower cost is no longer a utopia. Industrialised construction has brought the advantages of advanced manufacturing to the sector.
This method not only drastically reduces execution times, but also optimises the use of available resources and minimises risks on site. And it can be applied to different types of building.
But, looking at it in more detail, what makes this model so efficient? At ALTERTECNIA we want you to be at the forefront of construction techniques, so we are going to explain in simple terms why industrialised construction represents a genuine revolution for the sector.
Industrialised construction: from concept to reality
The idea of industrialising the construction process is not new. Throughout history, humanity has sought ways to build faster and more efficiently, but it was not until the 20th century that the idea of manufacturing components in a controlled environment and assembling them on site began to materialise on a large scale.
Because that is precisely what industrialised construction is: a method that consists of manufacturing the different elements in a controlled environment, then transporting them to the site and assembling them as a modular structure.
This system was already tried out during the Industrial Revolution, albeit to a limited extent owing to the lack of precise technologies and suitable materials. It was not until after the Second World War, in a context of high demand for housing and a shortage of labour, that industrialised construction began to expand as a fast and efficient solution.
Despite its growth, for decades this approach was marked by a perception of lower quality and limited design. However, with the arrival of digitalisation, BIM technology and numerical control, industrialised construction has evolved into a high-precision standard, with increasingly sophisticated and efficient structures.
Today it is used not only for modular housing, but also for industrial buildings, large infrastructure and even complex engineering projects.
Key advantages of industrialised construction
The industrialisation of construction is not simply a step forward; it represents a paradigm shift: construction ceases to be a craft process and becomes a controlled, predictable production line.
These are the main reasons why more and more companies are adopting this system as their working standard:
1. Shorter execution times
One of the biggest challenges of traditional construction is uncertainty about timescales. Factors such as the weather, the availability of materials and the coordination of teams are often the cause of significant delays.
In industrialised construction, because the elements are manufactured in a controlled environment while the foundations and other structures are prepared on site, several phases of the project can be carried out in parallel.
This makes it possible to reduce total execution time by up to 50% compared with conventional methods.
2. Greater precision and a smaller margin of error
Manufacturing components in the factory using technologies such as numerical control and planning with BIM software makes it possible to work with millimetre precision.
This minimises deviations in dimensions and adjustments on site, which in traditional construction often lead to cost overruns and lost time.
3. Cost optimisation
Although the initial investment in technology and machinery for industrialised construction can be high, long-term costs are considerably reduced.
Precision in manufacturing reduces material waste, and shorter construction times mean lower labour and project logistics costs.
In addition, construction errors can lead to additional costs for rectification, something this method minimises.
4. Sustainability and reduced environmental impact
Optimising the use of materials and producing in controlled environments make it possible to reduce waste and improve the energy efficiency of the construction process.
Unlike traditional construction, where much of the surplus material is discarded, in industrialised construction resources are used to the full. In addition, many prefabricated systems use recyclable materials or materials designed for better thermal efficiency, intended to create more sustainable buildings.
5. Greater safety on site
Working conditions on a traditional building site involve constant risks for workers. This changes when the production of the elements to be assembled is moved to factories or workshops, where working conditions are more controlled and worker safety is greater.
Another factor to bear in mind is that, by reducing execution time on site, workers' exposure to the risks of the activity is also reduced. Yet another reason why industrialised construction is safer.
The future of industrialised construction
Given all its advantages, we venture to predict that industrialised construction will continue to gain ground as technology advances and companies recognise its advantages over traditional methods.
Those who lead the way and adopt this model will be one step ahead in competitiveness and profitability. At ALTERTECNIA we offer innovative solutions to optimise projects using industrialised construction. Contact us and find out how we can help you take the next step.
