Panel Recap: Offsite Construction Architects Making an Impact

Published Mar 17, 2021. Read time: 4 min.

Panelists

• Nick Gomez — Studio Director, Multi-Family, Lowney Architecture
• Isaac-Daniel Astrachan, AIA, LEED AP — Principal, Stephen B. Jacobs Group
• Salvatore B. Verrastro, FCSI, AIA, CCS, CCCA, NCARB — President, Spillman Farmer Architects
• Will Hentschel — Principal, 359 Design

What the panel covered

The panel discussed offsite construction for projects ranging from a high-rise modular hotel in New York City to a modular multi-family development in Berkeley, California.

The architects focused on design process, permitting, factory coordination, standardization, and advice for firms entering offsite construction.

1. How the design process changes

Offsite projects require more collaborative decisions early in the process.

• Architects check with engineers sooner.
• Architects often speak with the factory early.
• The team works to confirm that the building can actually be built.
• The design team must understand the limits of the offsite system.

2. Permitting and code approval

The panel said local officials often need education about the unique details of offsite construction.

• Officials should be briefed early.
• Surprises slow approvals.
• The panel said approval should not be harder than for stick-built construction when the process is managed well.

3. Working with factories

The panel was positive about factory partners.

• Challenges can come from conflicting opinions among factory engineers, site contractors, and other team members.
• Mixed projects that combine stick-built and offsite construction can create confusion.
• Putting the work under one umbrella can reduce finger pointing.

4. Trends in offsite construction

The main trend discussed was standardization of unit types.

• Will Hentschel described standardized unit types for workforce housing.
• Nick Gomez described similar standardization for affordable housing and multi-family projects.
• The goal is to skip repetitive unit design and move more quickly into building design.

5. Advice for firms

The panel said modular construction still offers design freedom.

• Do not assume modular is easy or unchallenging.
• Build expertise before taking on complex projects.
• Start with simpler projects to learn the systems.
• Do not force an offsite system onto a project that is not ready for it.
• Collaboration and knowledge sharing are essential as the field grows.

Key takeaway

The panel presented offsite construction as a growing field that depends on early coordination, clear communication, and shared technical knowledge.

Isaac said, “No one wants to be first,” but more completed projects reduce that risk over time.