From Engineer to Educator, Garry Vermaas Expands the Offsite Construction Industry

Published Oct. 24, 2023. Updated Dec. 5, 2023.

Overview

Garry Vermaas is a civil engineer and educator focused on industrialized construction, modular building, and offsite solutions. He earned a PhD in engineering mechanics from Columbia University.

Career background

• Fourth-generation Dutch from Holland.
• Worked in construction from a young age, including tying rebar, pouring concrete, and building structures.
• Earned a degree in civil engineering.
• Completed a PhD in engineering mechanics at Columbia University.

Base4

• Founded in 2009 with friends.
• Started as a tech firm with architects and engineers.
• Worked 100% in Revit.
• Used AI and programming to improve workflows.
• Grew to a 200-plus person firm with offices in multiple countries.

Industrialized construction approach

Vermaas and his team moved into modular construction, prefabricated elements, and other offsite solutions. Base4 began projects by creating shop drawings and then building from those drawings.

Project focus

• Worked on hospitality projects.
• Worked on multifamily projects.
• Served clients in the United States and internationally.

Stonepile

• Founded in 2019.
• Described as a university for construction leadership, prefab modular, and offsite construction.
• Offered associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees.
• Provided online education.

Industry view

Vermaas said construction costs kept rising and the industry needed better integration. He argued that vertical integration could reduce cost and speed delivery. He favored models where one company controls design, manufacturing, and construction.

Example of impact

One Stonepile student, Chip Parsley of Poynter Prefabricated Solutions, used the education to focus more on offsite construction after graduation.

Links mentioned

• base-4.com
• LinkedIn profile for Garry Vermaas
• stonepile.us