Company Overview: NVolve

NVolve is a technology company focused on developing technologies for better, energy-efficient buildings at low cost. It operates in the U.S. and works with research and sustainable technology partners in Finland. It also has global partnerships with green, eco, and sustainable universities and research centers.

Core focus

• Building responsibly.
• Healthy construction.
• Energy-efficient buildings.
• Green and sustainable materials.
• Decarbonization.
• Design, architect, and build digitization.
• Mass customization.
• Servitization.
• Circular economy methods.
• Resource efficiency.

Construction themes in the article

The article argues that Finnish construction faces indoor air problems, early demolition, poor product development, incompetent design, and substandard materials. It says buildings should be durable, safe, accessible, and healthy for future generations.

Prefabrication

The article presents prefabrication as a major path forward for construction.

• It can reduce costs.
• It can speed up schedules.
• It can reduce rework.
• It can improve safety and cleanliness on site.
• It can improve building quality.

Reported figures

Industry use cases mentioned

• Parking garages.
• Glass-unitized systems.
• Formwork.
• Mechanical systems.
• Miscellaneous concrete works.
• Miscellaneous steel elements.
• Office buildings with repetitive spaces.

Challenges described

• Reluctance in the construction industry to embrace innovation.
• Need for significant upfront investment.
• Need to convince developers of long-term benefits.
• Fragmentation between manufacturing, design, and construction.

Technology and process direction

The article highlights assembly-line principles for prefab manufacturing and greater use of Building Information Modeling (BIM). It says centralizing multi-trade prefabrication planning helps disciplines resolve clashes before fabrication and construction.