The book journeys from the origins of platforms and the creation of platform II to a practical guide to applying platforms and a detailed analysis of how platform II aligns with published rules and principles regarding platform approaches..

In some cases, building off-site in a factory may even be less efficient than on-site construction.For example, prefabricated 3D modules (used in modular construction) involve many additional costs compared to conventional build.

These include transportation (a pre-fabricated room is mostly air, after all) and heavy plant for lifting modules into place.Unless modules are fabricated on a just-in time basis they also have to be stored which costs money, especially if that storage needs to be sheltered from the elements.3D modules also occupy large amounts of factory floor space and therefore absorb a high proportion of factory overheads..

If these additional modular construction costs can be offset by large improvements in construction site efficiency, for example by relocating wet trades or complex specialist trades away from the site, a 3D module might make sense.But, with modular construction, it’s often the case that prefabricating comparatively simple parts of a building as 3D modules adds cost and complexity, especially if the required trades need to be present on-site anyway..

The problems found in modular construction are only compounded by inefficient factory working.

The cost of any prefabricated component (indeed, any component of any building) can be divided into materials and labour.This brings with it a need for increased reliability, redundancy and contingencies..

There is a paradox; what does long-term planning look like when there is little clarity on how individual technologies will deliver or develop?How do we demonstrate clear business cases for investment when many approaches are not yet ready for deployment and those that are ready have not been tried and tested?.

There is also a significant cultural change to work through as activities which were previously seen as high-value, almost crafts, become commodity services..There is clarity in the fact that changes in equipment and technology will have significant impact on buildings, structural loading, vibration control, floor-to-floor heights and special layout.. Less quantifiable is how buildings will need to change to support the change in the people operations of scientists, engineers, technicians and managers.