About David Hayes
I'm a first year student at the University of Bath studying Civil Engineering
Student
Property will always be an expensive, long term and illiquid investment opportunity unless we significantly alter how and what we build.
Advances in prefabrication have the potential to slash the cost of construction and dramatically reduce build times, as demonstrated by companies such as Broad Sustainable Buildings; the Chinese firm which constructed a 15 story building in just 48 hours in 2010. However, there are problems that currently exist in prefabrication techniques that are not inherent and have halted its ubiquity.
Furthermore, there are numerous inefficiencies that exist on conventional building sites which, if resolved, could significantly reduce the cost of property.
Examples of inefficiency include current surveying methods, which involve measuring a single distance at a time using a total station. Advances in multi-rotor drones and 3D sensors lend themselves to a new, far faster, cheaper and automatic measuring system.
Building Information Modeling also has the potential to significantly reduce error, build time and cost on construction sites, however it is poorly realized and needs significant investment and innovation before benefits will be seen.
With this in mind, I propose a construction efficiency investment fund, which will support UK start up businesses and research schemes which aim to eliminate these inefficiencies using recent technological improvements. This could dramatically reduce the cost of construction in the UK and make investors turn their money towards property rather than other wealth generating options.
Featured articles and news
Not buildings. Happy holiday from DB.
Future Homes Standard: Industry calls for more ambition
As the Government FHS consultation finally closes.
Improving government projects with data and AI
Enabling better outcomes, efficient modern delivery and influential leadership on government projects.
BSRIA Living Laboratory Innovation Challenge
Final days for submission, closing March 29.
Windows, their frames, forms, factors and functions.
The hidden subtleties of U-Value calculations
Different contexts and what to include as variables.
A brief run down with related articles.
Electrical sector calls for safer public EV charge points
Serious concerns about electrical safety in the public domain.
Building Blocks manifesto presented to parliament
Architects Declare call in for support of five critical policies.
The four elements of project management with APM
Analysis, expectations, collaborative communication and partnerships.
City of London launches Heritage Building Retrofit Toolkit
Empowering owners to initiate necessary adaptations.
Guidance on RAAC in listed buildings
Published by Purcell, endorsed by IHBC, SPAB and C20.
Learning from the past.
Reluctance to hire people with criminal convictions revealed
Employing People with Criminal Convictions Report.
Tackling unconscious bias; Women's History Month
Personal reflections, as the last week of March approaches.