b'NEW TECHMass timber is a material that relies on prefabricated construction, which helps increase efficiency and improve safety on the jobsite. Photo courtesy of Mercer Mass Timber.ADOPTING NEW TECHNOLOGYP R E FA B C O N S T R U C T I O N ,3 D P R I N T I N GA N DA I I M P R O V E P R O D U C T I V I T YBY WARREN HEELEYhe Canadian constructionNew technology means increasedPREFAB CONSTRUCTION T industry is typically a lateproductivity in construction. A reportPrefabricated (or prefab) construction adopter of change, particularlyby McKinsey Global Institute indicates,is being adopted in many parts of the new technology. This trend can[Canadas] labour productivity growthcountry. Prefab construction is where prevent construction contractors fromaveraged just one per cent per year overan entire building or sections of a offering customers new approachesthe past 20 years, compared to nearlybuilding are fabricated off site and to construction that are advantageousthree-per-cent growth globally.shipped to the jobsite for assembly. The for both parties. New technology isfactory fabrication setting helps avoid simply becoming a must for contractors,jobsite challenges such as weather and especially in the project bid process. The number of new technologiessafety issues, allowing for better design entering the market is increasingprocesses, increased efficiencies and Experts believe that contractors whoeach year. 3D printing, robotics,much safer production processes than fail to embrace new technology loseprefabricated construction, drones, dataon-site construction.competitiveness, have inefficiencies incollection software and, most recently, their projects and could compromiseartificial intelligence (AI) are changingDifferent types of prefab construction safety on the jobsite. Industrythe norms in the construction industry.include modular, panelized (flat panels) studies confirm a large percentage ofThis article will provide an idea ofand mass timber (large timber building contractors are very interested in newcomponents). Prefab construction uses a technology; however, many of theseproductivity gains offered by threevariety of materials including concrete, same contractors will not invest in thetechnologies: prefab construction, 3Dsteel and timber. Factory-built sections new technologies their companies need. printing and AI. or buildings do not eliminate the need 36 SOUTHERN INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION'