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About the Centre
The Centre of Excellence for Advanced Prefabrication and Digitalized Construction is part of our Construction Research Centre's Platform to Decarbonize the Construction Sector at Scale.
The Centre of Excellence is a research and development hub for modern methods of construction, with a focus on prefabrication and digitalization. Its goal is to improve productivity in the construction sector, advance innovative housing solutions, and help reduce carbon emissions in Canada.
How we work
Our experts collaborate with industry, academia and all levels of government to develop and support the adoption of new technologies and digital workflows for prefabricated construction. These solutions will help build new homes and infrastructure more effectively. They also support strategies for retrofitting and maintaining existing buildings through advancements in Building Information Modeling (BIM) and asset management.
Our applied research helps the construction industry de-risk new technologies to support wider adoption. It also provides governments with evidence‑based information to help guide their policies and practices.
Activities and services
Advancing, de‑risking and automating prefabricated construction
We work with industry groups across the prefabrication value chain to test and validate new technologies. This work includes:
- developing prefabrication design frameworks and guides, such as those for Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA)
- conducting research for testing and validating new manufacturing technologies to de-risk adoption and support national standards
- providing data‑driven insights to help inform policies
Building data‑driven frameworks for productivity and benchmarking
We work with our partners to develop methods and tools that measure productivity and help organizations assess their technology, process and organizational readiness levels. This work includes:
- defining common key performance indicators and standard metrics
- developing digital tools that help organizations assess readiness levels and plan transition strategies
- collecting data, benchmarking and providing R&D to support the implementation of plans that boost productivity, enhance performance and reduce carbon emissions
Optimizing the factory‑built value chain
In collaboration with our industry partners, we develop guidelines that define the capabilities and constraints of off‑site construction and automation. This work includes:
- improving efficiency in industrialized processes from design to on‑site assembly
- optimizing factory operations, supply chains and automation
- developing and using tools, such as simulation inspection systems, to test factory layouts and processes
We also use the NRC's specialized facilities for full‑scale testing of manufactured building components and systems, including fire safety, acoustics and airtightness.
Enabling digital integration
We work with our partners to develop digital solutions and common frameworks that operate together, making data easy to share, integrate and manage through every stage of construction, from design through to maintenance. This approach connects Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) with both on‑site and off‑site operations. It also supports the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and digital twins to:
- improve collaboration
- reduce costs and timelines
- accelerate the transition to fully digital construction processes
Capabilities
- Expertise in advanced construction practices and digitalization for new construction and accelerated retrofits
- Extensive knowledge of foundational technologies and frameworks used to assess productivity and identify best practices in prefabricated construction
- Knowledge of Building Information Modeling (BIM) integration, digital twin technology, and the application of artificial intelligence in on-site and off-site construction
- Experience in OpenBIM and ISO 19650 standards for connected data environments and lifecycle management
- Access to NRC‑wide expertise in regulatory support, automation, robotics, digital manufacturing, data science and digital technologies
Contact us
For more information or to discuss partnership opportunities, email: Christopher.Pezoulas@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca