<a href="https://www.offsight.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Offsight</a>, the leading factory operations and project management software for the modular, prefab and offsite construction industry, and <a href="https://www.icc-nta.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ICC NTA</a>, the leading provider of third party plan review and inspection services to the offsite construction industry, are excited to announce the launch of Virtual Verify.







Virtual Verify&nbsp;will be a fully digital product and service provided to mutual Offsight and ICC NTA customers that enables our customers to directly collaborate and securely share digital quality,&nbsp; code and conformance information with their assigned third party inspector, through Offsight.&nbsp;Virtual Verify&nbsp;will help our customers streamline audits and HUD, State and government mandated conformance.







Furthermore mutual customers will get exclusive access to a Live Chat in Offsight with an ICC NTA Building Code Expert where customers can receive answers on conformance issues, State &amp; HUD regulations and code mandates.

Offsight, the leading factory operations and project management software for the modular, prefab and offsite construction industry, and ICC NTA, the leading provider of third party inspection and testing services to the building products and offsite construction industry, are excited to announce the launch of Virtual Verify.

Offsight and ICC NTA Launch Virtual Verify a Fully Digital, Comprehensive Quality and Regulatory Solution

<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Guest Post In MBI’s Modular Advantage Magazine</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="573" src="https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Build-April-1-1024x573.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1269" srcset="https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Build-April-1-1024x573.png 1024w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Build-April-1-300x168.png 300w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Build-April-1-768x430.png 768w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Build-April-1.png 1201w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<a href="http://www.offsight.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Offsight</a>&nbsp;Co-Founder&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikasmurali/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vikas Murali</a>&nbsp;was featured in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikasmurali/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Modular Building Institute’s Modular Advantage Magazine</a>. Vikas discusses how&nbsp;<a href="http://www.offsight.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Offsight</a>, has built a solution specifically for the modular, offsite, and prefab industry and how our platform manages all forms of building project manufacturing over the full scope of prefab and modular product lines, from fully volumetric modules and bath pods to panels, trusses, and floor cassettes.



Furthermore <a href="http://www.offsight.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Offsight</a> has launched a <a href="https://www.offsight.com/certifications" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Digital Certification and Training Program</a>to foster shared knowledge among industry leaders within our customer base.







Check out the full showcase and <a href="https://www.modular.org/2024/02/11/offsights-digital-certification-program-can-accelerate-modular-industry-growth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">guest post here.</a>







<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Summary: Live From The Floor &#8211; Advanced Modular Manufacturing</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="573" src="https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Build-April-2-1024x573.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1270" srcset="https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Build-April-2-1024x573.png 1024w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Build-April-2-300x168.png 300w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Build-April-2-768x430.png 768w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Build-April-2.png 1201w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<a href="https://www.offsight.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Offsight</a>&nbsp;customer&nbsp;<a href="http://www.advancedmodular.us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Advanced Modular Manufacturing (AMM)</a>&nbsp;specializes in building commercial modular products for various industries. AMM has been in business since 1983 and has earned a reputation as a trusted modular manufacturer with a strong focus on quality. Their reputation has earned them coveted contracts from the U.S. Government and other clients.&nbsp;



In this case study we cover how AMM leverages Offsight for detailed quality tracking and documentation, sign-offs, and verification of government-mandated code conformance and visual inspection. All visual documentation, conformance reports, and sign-offs can be stored in Offsight and made digitally accessible for many years, completely removing the need for paper reports. Managers at AMM can easily access Offsight’s History Dashboard to pull any report by customer, project, or product.



Check out the full AMM: Live From the Floor <a href="https://www.offsight.com/post/advanced-modular-manufacturing-leverages-offsight-for-government-mandated-inspection-reporting" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">case study here.</a>







<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Summary: Live From The Floor &#8211; Cutting Edge Modular</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="573" src="https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Build-April-3-1024x573.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1272" srcset="https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Build-April-3-1024x573.png 1024w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Build-April-3-300x168.png 300w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Build-April-3-768x430.png 768w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Build-April-3.png 1201w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<a href="https://www.offsight.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Offsight</a> customer <a href="https://cuttingedgehomes.net/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cutting Edge Homes</a> specializes in building luxury modular homes in California. Cutting Edge Homes has recently begun an expansion into commercial residential and multi-family modular projects. To meet the quality, production tracking and traceability needs of these multi-family projects they’ve turned to Offsight as their central solution.   







In this case study we cover how Cutting Edge Homes utilizes Offsight to position themselves as a competitive builder for multi-family projects by showcasing their commitment to quality excellence through end-to-end traceability and reliability through real-time digital production progress reporting.







Check out the full Cutting Edge Modular: Live From the Floor <a href="https://www.offsight.com/post/cutting-edge-modular-utilizes-offsight-as-they-target-multi-family-projects" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">case study here.</a>







<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Offsight Leaders &amp; Innovators Series </h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="573" src="https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Build-April-4-1024x573.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1273" srcset="https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Build-April-4-1024x573.png 1024w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Build-April-4-300x168.png 300w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Build-April-4-768x430.png 768w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Build-April-4.png 1201w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



In this issue of the Leaders &amp; Innovators series&nbsp;<a href="https://offsight.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e943e5f8f1b9449993595391b&amp;id=febfd2cc7d&amp;e=2f21c81dfb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Offsight</a>&nbsp;CEO,&nbsp;<a href="https://offsight.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e943e5f8f1b9449993595391b&amp;id=0cac38c0b2&amp;e=2f21c81dfb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vikas Murali</a>interviews&nbsp;<a href="https://offsight.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e943e5f8f1b9449993595391b&amp;id=d570a781fb&amp;e=2f21c81dfb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nick Gomez</a>, Director of Modular Design and Construction at&nbsp;<a href="https://offsight.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e943e5f8f1b9449993595391b&amp;id=d9374701a3&amp;e=2f21c81dfb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AO.</a>



AO has been at the forefront of modular design and project management. The company, which has been in business for more than 50 years, successfully spearheaded and completed many commercial, multifamily and affordable housing projects, which leveraged volumetric modular construction and they have many more currently under development, These include <a href="https://offsight.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e943e5f8f1b9449993595391b&amp;id=76e0f2375d&amp;e=2f21c81dfb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Virginia Street Studios</a>, <a href="https://offsight.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e943e5f8f1b9449993595391b&amp;id=e987e9fb36&amp;e=2f21c81dfb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hilton Garden Inn</a> and <a href="https://offsight.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e943e5f8f1b9449993595391b&amp;id=da985ca44f&amp;e=2f21c81dfb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stevens Creek Promenade.</a>







In this interview we hear how Nick and his team work closely with owners during the modular design and construction process and hear his feedback for architects looking to design for modular projects and owners assessing whether to undertake these projects. We learn how owners and GCs have adapted their thinking around modular construction on major projects and hear Nick’s feedback on what AO is doing right in the process of scaling their modular business.







Check out our full&nbsp;<a href="https://www.offsight.com/post/qa-with-nick-gomez-dir-of-modular-design-and-construction-at-ao" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">interview with Nick here.</a>

Build Offsight – April 2024

<a href="https://www.offsight.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Offsight</a> customer <a href="https://cuttingedgehomes.net/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cutting Edge Homes</a> specializes in building luxury modular homes in California. Cutting Edge Homes has recently begun an expansion into commercial residential and multi-family modular projects. To meet the quality, production tracking and traceability needs of these multi-family projects they’ve turned to Offsight as their central solution.   







In this case study we cover how Cutting Edge Homes utilizes Offsight to position themselves as a competitive builder for multi-family projects by showcasing their commitment to quality excellence through end-to-end traceability and reliability through real-time digital production progress reporting.







Building End to End Traceability For Quality Excellence



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="573" src="https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live_Cutting_Edge-2-1024x573.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1257" srcset="https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live_Cutting_Edge-2-1024x573.png 1024w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live_Cutting_Edge-2-300x168.png 300w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live_Cutting_Edge-2-768x430.png 768w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live_Cutting_Edge-2.png 1201w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



To position themselves as a leader in quality excellence, Cutting Edge Homes turned to <a href="https://www.offsight.com/production" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Offsight’s Production &amp; Quality Tracking</a> feature set. They built their full manufacturing workflow in Offsight and completely digitized their in-plant quality verification process.







Operators and quality inspectors can log into <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/offsight/id1522830069" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Offsight’s mobile app</a> at each production station or point of quality review and complete detailed checklists and forms. Images, documentation, and designs can be reviewed and attached to a fully digital checklist.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="573" src="https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live_Cutting_Edge-3-1024x573.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1258" srcset="https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live_Cutting_Edge-3-1024x573.png 1024w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live_Cutting_Edge-3-300x168.png 300w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live_Cutting_Edge-3-768x430.png 768w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live_Cutting_Edge-3.png 1201w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



All documentation and digital checklists through all stages of production, shipment, and delivery are consolidated in a single traceable record in Offsight. Cutting Edge can then provide this record to project stakeholders or reference these records at any time during production or post-production in Offsight’s History Dashboard.







Leveraging Production Progress Reporting For Reliability



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="573" src="https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live_Cutting_Edge-4-1024x573.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1259" srcset="https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live_Cutting_Edge-4-1024x573.png 1024w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live_Cutting_Edge-4-300x168.png 300w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live_Cutting_Edge-4-768x430.png 768w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live_Cutting_Edge-4.png 1201w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



As another crucial aspect of positioning their factory for multifamily projects, Cutting Edge Homes turned to <a href="https://www.offsight.com/reporting-auditing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Offsight’s Reporting &amp; Auditing</a> and <a href="https://www.offsight.com/advanced-analytics" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Advanced Analytics</a> feature sets to provide factory visibility and reliable production progress tracking to clients. Through Offsight’s reporting functionality Cutting Edge Homes was able to generate real-time digital .PDF and .XSLX reports that showcased all modules, and their current stage of production and included all images for visual verification and conformance records for sign-offs.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="573" src="https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live_Cutting_Edge-5-1024x573.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1261" srcset="https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live_Cutting_Edge-5-1024x573.png 1024w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live_Cutting_Edge-5-300x168.png 300w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live_Cutting_Edge-5-768x430.png 768w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live_Cutting_Edge-5.png 1201w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



These reports can be automatically generated and sent to project stakeholders via email or transferred to a secure cloud folder for review. Furthermore, a secure Offsight web link can be provided to commercial clients to access their digital reports online.







In addition to automated and daily reporting, Cutting Edge Homes can provide advanced business analytics and in-the-moment project tracking to their multifamily clients. With <a href="https://www.offsight.com/advanced-analytics" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Offight’s Advanced Analytics</a> capabilities, they can pull production progress by module and overall in a project progress. Progress can be tracked by specific workstations to ensure that the overall project schedule stays on track and that coordination between the factory and onsite install team is seamless. 







&#8220;We stay organized with all production defects and remedies tracked in Offsight. We have recently chosen to add the labor tracking and inventory control modules from Offsight and are excited to implement them across our facility. Offsight&#8217;s team is very responsive to our needs and are always looking to improve their product. We are looking forward to a long term relationship with them.&#8221;







Isaac Lassiter, President Cutting Edge Homes



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="320" height="130" src="https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-297.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1255" style="width:144px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-297.png 320w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-297-300x122.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" /></figure>

Cutting Edge Modular Utilizes Offsight As They Target Multi-Family Projects

<a href="https://www.offsight.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Offsight</a> customer <a href="http://www.advancedmodular.us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Advanced Modular Manufacturing (AMM)</a> specializes in building commercial modular products for various industries. AMM has been in business since 1983 and has earned a reputation as a trusted modular manufacturer with a strong focus on quality. Their reputation has earned them coveted contracts from the U.S. Government and other clients.  



In this case study we cover how AMM leverages Offsight for detailed quality tracking and documentation, sign-offs, and verification of government-mandated code conformance and visual inspection.      



All visual documentation, conformance reports, and sign-offs can be stored in Offsight and made digitally accessible for many years, completely removing the need for paper reports. Managers at AMM can easily access Offsight’s History Dashboard to pull any report by customer, project, or product.







Implementing End-to-End Quality Tracking and Documentation







<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="573" src="https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live-AMM-2-1024x573.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1246" srcset="https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live-AMM-2-1024x573.png 1024w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live-AMM-2-300x168.png 300w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live-AMM-2-768x430.png 768w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live-AMM-2.png 1201w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



As part of AMM&#8217;s requirements to maintain rigorous quality control and compliance throughout their manufacturing process and maintain documentation for clients, they turned to Offsight to build their digital manufacturing workflow. Through Offsight’s Production Feature Set including our <a href="https://www.offsight.com/production" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Production &amp; Quality Tracking</a> functionality and <a href="https://www.offsight.com/reporting-auditing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reporting &amp; Auditing</a>functionality AMM was able to address their client requirements.







Using Offsight’s Management Tool they built out their digital production process including key workstations, tied in quality verification tasks and conformance checklists, and loaded in their production schedule for each of their many commercial projects. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="573" src="https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live-AMM-3-1024x573.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1247" srcset="https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live-AMM-3-1024x573.png 1024w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live-AMM-3-300x168.png 300w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live-AMM-3-768x430.png 768w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live-AMM-3.png 1201w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Once production goes live, AMM operators and quality inspectors can use Offsight at each production area to complete all quality verification and conformance reviews in real time. All digital documentation can be exported through daily reports and made available in digital .PDF or .XSLX format and can be securely shared to customers and state/3rd party inspectors through a protected web link.







Sign-Offs and Visual Verification With Offsight 







After their production and quality workflow was created in Offsight, quality personnel on the floor could leverage <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/offsight/id1522830069" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Offsight’s mobile app</a> to complete all visual verification and sign-offs. By utilizing Offsight’s Workflow Automation functionality, accessing any form for any product can be completely streamlined. This enables a seamless user experience from the floor with instant access to crucial information including quality issues and verification images.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="573" src="https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live-AMM-4-1024x573.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1248" srcset="https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live-AMM-4-1024x573.png 1024w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live-AMM-4-300x168.png 300w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live-AMM-4-768x430.png 768w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Live-AMM-4.png 1201w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



To address the stringent requirements of their clients on commercial projects, AMM inspectors can seamlessly sign off and provide instant visual confirmation through Offsight at various stages of production and delivery. All completed modules stored in the yard also undergo final review and sign-off in Offsight before shipment, to ensure that all products AMM has manufactured adhere to regulatory guidelines.







&#8220;Advanced Modular Manufacturing is a detail oriented commercial modular building manufacturer who takes pride in the quality products we produce. Offsight&#8217;s off the shelf product will allow us to maintain our high standard of quality while facilitating better reporting and production tracking features. I&#8217;m impressed with the intuitive interface and responsiveness of Offsight&#8217;s team.&#8221;







Jeramy Bristol, Vice President Advanced Modular Manufacturers







<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="245" height="256" src="https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-298.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1250" style="width:82px;height:auto"/></figure>

Advanced Modular Manufacturing Leverages Offsight for Government-Mandated Inspection & Reporting

In this issue of the Leaders &amp; Innovators series <a href="https://offsight.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e943e5f8f1b9449993595391b&amp;id=febfd2cc7d&amp;e=2f21c81dfb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Offsight</a> CEO, <a href="https://offsight.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e943e5f8f1b9449993595391b&amp;id=0cac38c0b2&amp;e=2f21c81dfb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vikas Murali</a> interviews <a href="https://offsight.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e943e5f8f1b9449993595391b&amp;id=d570a781fb&amp;e=2f21c81dfb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nick Gomez</a>, Director of Modular Design and Construction at <a href="https://offsight.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e943e5f8f1b9449993595391b&amp;id=d9374701a3&amp;e=2f21c81dfb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AO.</a>







AO has been at the forefront of modular design and project management. The company, which has been in business for more than 50 years, successfully spearheaded and completed many commercial, multifamily and affordable housing projects, which leveraged volumetric modular construction and they have many more currently under development, These include <a href="https://offsight.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e943e5f8f1b9449993595391b&amp;id=76e0f2375d&amp;e=2f21c81dfb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Virginia Street Studios</a>, <a href="https://offsight.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e943e5f8f1b9449993595391b&amp;id=e987e9fb36&amp;e=2f21c81dfb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hilton Garden Inn</a> and <a href="https://offsight.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e943e5f8f1b9449993595391b&amp;id=da985ca44f&amp;e=2f21c81dfb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stevens Creek Promenade.</a>







In this interview we hear how Nick and his team work closely with owners during the modular design and construction process and hear his feedback for architects looking to design for modular projects and owners assessing whether to undertake these projects. We learn how owners and GCs have adapted their thinking around modular construction on major projects and hear Nick’s feedback on what AO is doing right in the process of scaling their modular business.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="573" src="https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Nick_002-1024x573.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1237" srcset="https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Nick_002-1024x573.png 1024w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Nick_002-300x168.png 300w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Nick_002-768x430.png 768w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Nick_002-1536x860.png 1536w, https://cms.offsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Nick_002.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



V: How has GC and owner mindset changed when it comes to modular construction projects? What have you seen from your own personal experience working with owners and GCs? Have they become more receptive?







N: I think on the ownership side, I&#8217;m one of the first people factories usually point to, when approached by developers looking at modular construction.  I say that there&#8217;s always been sort of this constant interest. But the people that actually follow through is a small percentage. I think it&#8217;s the owners who are really looking for a standardization that are the ones benefiting from modular projects the most. 







They want to have a typical one bedroom, two bedroom, three bedroom plan or studio plan. And they&#8217;re not looking to redesign every time. That’s the perfect fit for offsite construction. You&#8217;re kind of rinsing and repeating. And also owners who are working in areas, maybe remotely where they know there&#8217;s not a huge labor pool. They&#8217;re thinking let&#8217;s get ahead of these labor constraints on these projects that are quite significant and can benefit from using off-site construction.







I&#8217;ve seen more and more developers who were quite vocal years prior, now embracing offsite construction projects.







I think the GCs once they do a project, they see the benefits of it. They&#8217;re like, oh, wait a minute, I&#8217;m taking, 65% of my scope and I&#8217;m giving it to one contractor, which is a factory. And I really don&#8217;t need as many people on site, so they&#8217;re able to have smaller crews managing the projects. 







Even the local contractors, in the bay area where I’m based, were originally kind of vocally against it in the beginning when I first started doing projects. Now they&#8217;ve come around and they&#8217;ve been working on modular projects and have good relationships with the factories up here.



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V: Very interesting, as a follow up to that, what was their reason for originally being against it and what changed their mindset? What did they see that convinced them, okay, maybe we should take this more seriously?







N: Education of the process of how the projects actually work. Contractors initially thought that scope was being taken away from them and given to the factory to execute. For them, that may not always make sense, especially if they have, say, carpentry and other traders under their own business. I think in the beginning they felt like you&#8217;re taking work away from me, because you&#8217;re giving it to this factory. But in the end, when you look at how the projects play out,  the factory is under the contractor and the contractor is getting a mark up on the overall project, so they’re coming out ahead. So no, the GCs are really not losing money. You know, that scope just becomes more consolidated and that&#8217;s just how it works and increases reliability. I think in the beginning, they probably didn&#8217;t understand the process and were very skeptical because it&#8217;s new.



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V: AO obviously has a very large portfolio of modular projects, including projects you&#8217;ve completed,probably more than most other designers. What do you think that your team at AO is doing correctly when it comes to designing and managing modular projects and what advice do you have for other architects?







N: I’d say the most important thing you could do is to convince the owners to bring on the factory early. That&#8217;s something that a lot of owners need to do right. They want to get the design developed, get their budgets together and then start bidding to factories.&nbsp; Our take is, if we have the factory on board first, we can actually design to the specific parameters of that factory. So we&#8217;re making the most accurate decisions on the project, not just for the factory to build, but we&#8217;re making the most efficient product for that owner&#8217;s program as well. We&#8217;re fitting it to exactly what those factory specs are and it&#8217;s important to note that every factory is slightly different. Many of our partner factories build differently and have different products, so knowing that ahead of time helps our design. We&#8217;re not having to go back after the fact and redesign, if we have that factory on board early.&nbsp; Being very disciplined about the design, that&#8217;s the other thing. Knowing those limitations early and, if we don&#8217;t have a factory on board, just knowing that most factories could only ship a 72 ft box as a maximum limit lets us design with any factory as the least common denominator. In that case we&#8217;re going to make the biggest box 72 feet max, just so that everyone has the opportunity to be able to bid for it.&nbsp; So, I’d say the advantage for us at AO is making sure, we can hopefully get a partner factory on board as early as possible, so you&#8217;re having an efficient design. And, if you&#8217;re not having an efficient design, making sure your project is going to be able to be bid amongst multiple factories.