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BLOCKCHAIN: THE MISSING LINK IN OFFSITE EVOLUTION?

BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY COULD BE A CRITICAL DRIVER IN ENSURING OFFSITE BUILDING DELIVERY BECOMES MAINSTREAM IN FUTURE, ACCORDING TO A REPORT BY GLOBAL ENGINEERING AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT GIANT AURECON.

The latest, fourth edition of Aurecon’s Buildings of the Future series, which looks at trends in the built environment, indicates blockchain has the potential to help streamline the supply chain and associated documentation for prefabricated buildings.

Blockchain acts as a decentralised database that chronologically and securely records transactions, connecting the supply chain – from planning processes to construction contracts and even landlords following construction – within a secure and efficient system.

Offsite construction’s requirement for detailed design at inception will likely be aided by blockchain technology, which promises to support greater accuracy in design data documentation, the report indicates.

Aurecon’s Buildings of the Future Leader Peter Greaves, told Built Offsite that blockchain, coupled with Design for Manufacture and Assembly(DFMA) principles, will be important in driving productivity in the construction sector, particularly through offsite methodologies.“

Companies in Australia see blockchain as quite far down the track, but I believe it will be adopted sooner than many think.

The reason for that is blockchain’s ability to foster trust and security between different value chain players, as well as streamlining all aspects of production.”

“Blockchain can effectively provide a secure database within a design and construction company, which all suppliers are signed into, enabling inputs such as BIM as well as financial and contractual data, to be securely entered then traced.”

Current barriers to uptake included cultural reluctance to embrace new technologies as well as limited skills base, Greaves said.However the industry was ripe for disruption.“Blockchain fosters a way of working that’s non – linear and really relies on collaboration.Used effectively, it can remove barriers between construction leads and suppliers.The potential outcome is a smoother process with less delays, disputes and RFIs.Double handling and miscommunications are also greatly reduced.This is particularly critical in financial transactions, which can often be a key reason for hold – ups in construction; there’s reason to believe that the partnership between blockchain and crypto currency will help jobs run even more smoothly and efficiently.” ■


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