• 05 Oct 2022

RIAI Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) Guidance

The RIAI Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) guidance was launched at the RIAI Conference.

The DfMA suite of guidance comprises of the following documentation:

  • RIAI Design for Manufacture and Assembly - DfMA Report 
  • DfMA Overlay to the RIAI Plan of Work
  • DfMA Overlay to the RIAI Plan of Work Summary Chart

Maximising the benefits of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) during the lifecycle of a project requires DfMA to form a core part of the design process. 

The report summarises the benefits and barriers to the adoption of design for manufacturing and assembly (DfMA) to support modern methods of construction (MMC) in Ireland from the perspective of the architectural profession. This report sits alongside the accompanying overlay document which provides more detailed analysis of how the architectural profession can harness good design for manufacturing and assembly to facilitate offsite development throughout each of the RIAI Work Stages, and into construction without losing design quality.

It is hoped that these guidelines will provide direction to the architectural profession and other design practitioners in their individual journeys to embed the principles of three strands: DfMA, sustainability and digital delivery in MMC projects undertaken, for MMC adoption. 

The way in which clients and their teams set up their projects from Strategic Definition Stage onwards will have an enormous influence on the success or otherwise of adopting manufacturing principles and effectively employing the various modern methods of construction. One of the key principles of successful DfMA application is the extent to which project teams collaborate and have the time and opportunity to resolve and coordinate design inputs comparatively early on in the process.

The DfMA Overlay to the RIAI Plan of Work:

  • Clearly sets out the core tasks that need to be undertaken in order to make that an effective strategy.
  • Integrates lean design methodologies from the earliest design stages and ensures that environmental design considerations are not only made for the form and function of the building but also the method of construction and construction activities.
  • Identities digital delivery activities required at each design stage to harmonise design development using a DfMA approach.

“It is hoped that this report will be a useful guide to the adoption of DfMA and Modern Methods of Construction not only for the architectural profession, but for all our industry colleagues from clients to manufacturers, suppliers, consultants, and contractors.” says David Browne, Chairperson of RIAI DfMA Working Group and RKD.