SLCE Architects’ Post

Great article, Jennifer Castenson, and thanks for including Brave Structures in it. One point from Samantha Hill that stood out to me: “Modular construction is not necessarily cheaper than traditional construction methods.” Now, I'm not picking on Samantha here at all—I have heard this said before. But the thing is... to make housing affordable... we need to make affordable houses... in factories. If your modular construction or offsite operation is costing more than traditional methods, please reach out to us immediately. We will fix that. When designed properly, it’s impossible for a factory to cost more to produce anything than doing it on the street. Impossible. So, what makes a high-performance factory? 1) It tracks its data and fully understands its contribution margin on a daily basis. 2) It has benchmarks and goals for each operation, measured on a per-product or per-hour basis, with real-time tracking and display of targets versus actuals. 3) It holds daily data-driven productivity meetings to solve shift-related challenges and support workers in achieving their daily goals. 4) It makes data-driven investment decisions for long-term solutions. Notice I didn’t mention automation or technology. Those things don’t lead—they follow. They come from the data. Everything starts and ends with production data. #AbstractData #BraveStructures #OffsiteProductivity #AffordableHousing

New Zealand’s construction industry stands at a crossroads. After years of grappling with inflation, labour shortages, and project disruptions, we’re beginning to see a shift. Political stability and easing inflation are offering some much-needed breathing room. But the real question is: will we use this moment to redefine our industry, or let it pass us by? At BCI Central’s Construction Outlook panel, I explored the critical role architects and developers must play in this evolving landscape. It’s no longer enough to design visually striking buildings or complete projects on tight timelines. We need to deliver smarter, more sustainable solutions that tackle the deeper challenges we face—from supply chain fragility to the urgent need for climate resilience. Real innovation lies in transforming these constraints into opportunities. 2025 isn’t just about recovery; it’s about reinvention. If we shift away from a ‘do more with less’ mindset and instead invest in long-term thinking, we can reshape not only our individual projects but the entire way our industry operates. The time for cautious optimism is over—it’s time for bold, collaborative action that prioritises meaningful outcomes over short-term gains. Our future isn’t just something to react to—it’s something we can design. Let’s build it, together. DKO Architecture BCI Central https://lnkd.in/gCMEE8-f

West End Developments, the local partnership developing the Kèjän + Rogers land parcel (formerly 5th and Rogers), has started pre-construction work. This work includes evaluating the escarpment slope stability risks and mitigations, assessing geotechnical and groundwork requirements, and conducting a hazardous building materials assessment prior to demolishing the existing site structures. Efforts are underway to try and save the existing buildings to reduce waste. "We are working hard to complete key activities required prior to construction. This development will add vibrant spaces for both residents and businesses to the heart of our city and the positive impact of this project will be felt for generations," said West End Developments Tiffany Eckert-Maret. Upcoming priorities for West End Developments include furthering site design and working with the City of Whitehorse on utility and servicing needs, permits and regulatory approvals. The partnership is also planning a community engagement process to bring local values into the design and development of the site. "The Kèjän and Rogers development will help revitalize an underutilized area of Whitehorse by attracting residents and businesses, helping to strengthen the city’s downtown core," said Premier and Minister responsible for Yukon Housing Corporation Ranj Pillai. "Our government is pleased to support local business in the development of much-needed housing and commercial spaces. This project reflects our shared commitment to building stronger communities, and it highlights the important role we all play in shaping a vibrant and sustainable future for Whitehorse." The Government of Yukon signed an agreement in March 2024 to sell the Kèjän and Rogers site to West End Developments for a nominal fee with sale conditions for the development partnership to take on the liabilities and costs associated with the site. "Today marks an important milestone in this critical project. Kèjän and Rogers will significantly enhance housing and commercial opportunities in Whitehorse, paving the way for growth and innovation in downtown south," said Minister of Energy of Mines and Resources John Streicker. "It is exciting to see this project moving ahead and we look forward to the concrete benefits it will provide for Yukoners." West End Developments is a Yukon-based company consisting of four equal partners: Da Daghay Development Corporation, Northern Vision Development LP, Kobayashi + Zedda Architects, Ketza Construction Corp) (Image – from left to right: Da Daghay Development Corporation CEO Benjamin Asquith, Northern Vision Development CEO Michael Hale, Da Daghay Development Corporation COO Tiffany Eckert-Maret, Ketza Construction co-owner Joe Densmore, Premier and Minister responsible for Yukon Housing Corporation Ranj Pillai, Ketza Construction founder and co-owner Peter Densmore)

Modular has frequently come under fire in recent times, so what can the sector do to find its place and unlock its true value? I’ve shared my thoughts below. #construction #modular #mmc #manufacturing #nscg #leadership #newstreetconsultinggroup #peopleadvisory #executivesearch #interimmanagement

#ModularConstruction has the potential to revolutionise the way we build, offering benefits like faster timelines, reduced costs, and increased #sustainability. But how can it find its place in a traditional #construction landscape? Jake Bush explores how modular construction can overcome challenges, adapt to market needs, and carve out a meaningful role in the future of building. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/ewAXgfYQ

Chicago, the city known for its soaring architectural feats, from the Willis Tower to the John Hancock Center, is about to welcome its most ambitious building yet—Salesforce Tower Chicago, a 60-story skyscraper will soon become the city’s first-ever zero-carbon building. Nestled in the heart of the vibrant River North district, this ground-breaking project is pushing the boundaries of sustainable architecture and urban development. Developed by Hines, a global leader in real estate and sustainability, Salesforce Tower will be a symbol of the future, aligning with the city’s climate goals and redefining what is possible in eco-friendly skyscraper design. Salesforce Tower is not just another skyscraper—it represents a transformative shift in urban construction. The project aims to be the city’s first carbon-neutral building, which aligns directly with Chicago’s Climate Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. Mayor Lori Lightfoot emphasized the importance of such projects, stating, “Chicago is leading the way in addressing climate change through policies and innovations that are reducing our city’s carbon footprint.” #ZeroCarbon #EcoFriendly #RenewableEnergy #GeothermalCooling #SolarPower #EnergyEfficiency #ClimateAction #GreenTech #CarbonNeutral #LEED

Bravo Niall. The traditional design and construction process defies logic. By reinventing the wheel every time, it adds avoidable cost, time, quality issues and risk. Of course many buildings will need to be bespoke, but many do not, particularly housing and much social infrastructure. The benefits and savings are massive. Government must do better to unlock this potential and allow savings and other benefits to be realised, and passed onto consumers. Like in most other industries. It’s not really that hard.

Paradigm-shifting clients are a very rare thing, and Hastings Commons is one of those: taking derelict and difficult buildings into community custody, for the common good. They have developed a new model for delivering social infrastructure for a community from the ground up. In an era where social infrastructure funding has been slashed, this is a remarkable achievement. I could not be more excited that IF_DO is extending our work with them to help transform Eagle House. At both Eagle House and the nearby Observer Building we are creating new co-designed spaces dedicated to local young people. With Youth Services funding seeing a real terms decline of 70% (almost £1 billion) from 2010-2020*, the creation of two new youth spaces as part of a community-led regeneration is something that should not only be celebrated, but also seen as a model for communities elsewhere. Now to get them built! A massive thank you to the client team, including Dr Jess Steele, OBE and John Brunton, and huge credit to IF_DOers Jamie Kyle Agnew and Gregory Devaud. #socialinfrastructure #communityinfrastructure #communitybuilding #youthservices #youthcentre #hastings #hastingscommons #retrofit #adaptivereuse *See the YMCA 'Out of Service' report

Check out this insightful article by Gary on Sano and why we believe it's the future of low-rise residential building. We're excited about the possibilities it presents! Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Australia’s construction industry has an intractable productivity problem that has played out for 30 years; rather than doing more with less, we are seemingly doing less with more. As housing costs spiral and productivity growth stagnates, bespoke building is a luxury we can no longer afford, and for some projects, the only solution is standardization Read more: https://lnkd.in/g6ZF4mfd #AustraliaHousingCrisis #AustraliaProductivity #HousingAffordability