Adaptables2006, TU/e, International Conference On Adaptable Building Structures Eindhoven The Netherlands 03-05 July 2006 The Management of Complex Design & Engineering Processes 12-1 A Modular Construction System. How to design its Production Process F. van Gassel, M. Roders Technische Universiteit Eindhoven PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands f.j.m.v.gassel@bwk.tue.nl KEYWORDS Modular Construction, Adaptable Building, Decision Support Tools, Design Management Abstract One type of architectural construction is a modular building. Specific requirements may motivate clients to opt for a modular building. However, designing such a system is a highly complex process and demands a systematic approach. This paper presents a brief introduction to this field of design management. Introduction When acquiring a new building, clients sometimes have specific demands, such as a short delivery lead time, a particular location, special financing or limited duration of use. In most cases, they opt for an adaptable building based on a modular construction system. The designer and builder of such a system have to bear these specific demands in mind. Moreover, they encounter the following challenges: • There is no personal client, but a largely poorly defined market. • The establishment of a production plan involves a substantial number of assumptions. • The term for the amortisation of mechanising or robotising investments is unknown. • The client and society want safe, sustainable and attractive buildings, not a semi-permanent solution. To manage these challenges during the design process can be one of the tasks of the (architectural) design manager. Gray (2001) describes the task as follow ‘to make sure that the organization of the design process is structured appropriately for the task at hand, and to ensure that there are sufficient integrative and co-ordinating mechanisms for the work to progress meaningfully’. We think that in future one of the tasks of the design manager will also be to design the production process. Especially by modular building objects may play this an important role. The design scope of such objects includes long-term views and the involvement of a wide-range of design expertise. Also the influence of the client is important. A method for the builder to design a modular construction system would be useful. This paper proposes one such method, which is based on the experience gained by the first author in designing three different Dutch modular construction systems. Modular construction system The Modular Building Institute (MBI 2006) defines modular construction as a method of construction that ‘utilizes pre-engineered, factory-fabricated structures in three-dimensional sections that are transported to be tied together on a site’. This definition, however, focuses solely on the production