Platform approach to design for manufacture and assembly
During the 2017 Budget the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that five central government departments would adopt a presumption in favour of offsite construction, leveraging their buying power to support the modernisation of the construction sector.
Subsequently, the government set out a ‘new approach’ to building, to be adopted across all government departments where it presents value for money. They called this a platform approach to design for manufacture and assembly (P-DfMA).
DfMA (Design for Manufacture and Assembly) is a process by which building products and components are designed in a way that enables them to be made on a large scale using machinery and then put together in one place.
A platform approach to DfMA (P-DfMA) is the use a set of digitally designed components across multiple types of built asset that are then used wherever possible, minimising the need to design bespoke components for different types of asset. For example, the same component could be used in the construction of a school, hospital and prison.
By taking a consistent approach and using standardised and inter-operable components across a range of different buildings, the government hopes to encourage the creation of a new market for manufacturing in construction and to take advantage of economies and efficiencies of scale.
The UK Government proposed adopting P-DfMA in a consultation that ran from 26 November 2018 to 17 February 2019. Ref https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/proposal-for-a-new-approach-to-building-call-for-evidence
The consultation document states: “While we recognise that there are other potential approaches which could improve performance in government-led building projects and we remain open to further proposals, we are setting out a proposed approach to building, to be adopted across government departments...”
Results from the call for evidence will be used to develop a P-DfMA strategy for government, to be led by the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). In addition there will be a series of pilot construction projects.
Subsequent research carried out by Mace raised two issues:
- The government needs to be clear about the intellectual property model it wants to promote, and it needs to stick to it.
- There needs to be a long-term, sustainable pipeline of work in place for the sector to deliver.
NB DfMA Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work, Mainstreaming Design for Manufacture and Assembly in Construction, 2nd Edition, published by the RIBA in 2021, defines Platform-based design for manufacture and assembly (P-DfMA) as: ‘The process by which designers develop and make use of platform construction systems to create new bespoke built assets.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Advanced manufacturing.
- BSRIA launches Offsite Construction for Building Services topic guide.
- Construction consolidation centre (CCC).
- Delivery platforms for government assets.
- Design for manufacture and assembly.
- Mean lean green.
- Modern methods of construction.
- Modular buildings.
- Off-site manufacturing.
- Off-site construction.
- Off site materials.
- Off-site prefabrication of buildings: A guide to connection choices.
- Platform approach.
- Platform construction system.
- Prefabrication.
Featured articles and news
The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy: A 10 year plan
Previous consultation criticism, current key elements and general support with some persisting reservations.
Building Safety Regulator reforms
New roles, new staff and a new fast track service pave the way for a single construction regulator.
Architectural Technologist CPDs and Communications
CIAT CPD… and how you can do it!
Cooling centres and cool spaces
Managing extreme heat in cities by directing the public to places for heat stress relief and water sources.
Winter gardens: A brief history and warm variations
Extending the season with glass in different forms and terms.
Restoring Great Yarmouth's Winter Gardens
Transforming one of the least sustainable constructions imaginable.
Construction Skills Mission Board launch sector drive
Newly formed government and industry collaboration set strategy for recruiting an additional 100,000 construction workers a year.
New Architects Code comes into effect in September 2025
ARB Architects Code of Conduct and Practice available with ongoing consultation regarding guidance.
Welsh Skills Body (Medr) launches ambitious plan
The new skills body brings together funding and regulation of tertiary education and research for the devolved nation.
Paul Gandy FCIOB announced as next CIOB President
Former Tilbury Douglas CEO takes helm.
UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy. In brief with reactions
With the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
The Grenfell Tower fire, eight years on
A time to pause and reflect as Dubai tower block fire reported just before anniversary.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.
Construction contract awards hit lowest point of 2025
Plummeting for second consecutive month, intensifying concerns for housing and infrastructure goals.
Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025
Examining the state of mental health in construction, shedding light on levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
The benefits of engaging with insulation manufacturers
When considering ground floor constructions.
Lighting Industry endorses Blueprint for Electrification
The Lighting Industry Association fully supports the ECA Blueprint as a timely, urgent call to action.