This panel discussion brings together international leaders in the areas of architecture, engineering, manufacturing and construction. The construction industry is on the verge of major disruption which can be attributed to technology and new processes for building our built environment. The discussion will focus on the future of the industry, the role technology will play to industrialize construction, and the barriers to move to offsite construction, both in North America and overseas.
Brandon Searle, P. Eng. is the Innovation Director for the Off-site Construction Research Centre (OCRC) at the University of New Brunswick. Born in Moncton, N.B., he completed a BScE in civil engineering and a diploma in Technology Management and Entrepreneurship at the University of New Brunswick Before joining UNB, Brandon worked on capital projects from both the owner and contractor side followed by a four-year position with WSP where he was an asset management consultant. While with WSP, he worked toward an M.Eng. focusing on level of service in infrastructure management and completed a broad collection of courses in economics, project management, business, finance and engineering. Brandon serves as the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE) Western NB Section Past-Chair, CSCE Atlantic Region Treasurer and sits on the Canadian Network of Asset Managers (CNAM) Board of Directors.
This panel discussion brings together international leaders in the areas of architecture, engineering, manufacturing and construction. The construction industry is on the verge of major disruption which can be attributed to technology and new processes for building our built environment. The discussion will focus on the future of the industry, the role technology will play to industrialize construction, and the barriers to move to offsite construction, both in North America and overseas.
Professor Arif's main areas of research at Brighton focus on Offsite and Green Construction, and he has led the development of a global roadmap for offsite construction, which has formed the basis of research and practice worldwide. His commitment to green construction and development of brownfield sites involves regular engagement with a wide range of global committees, and he continues to work with a range of organisations in the field.
Lead a team of innovative and experienced sales and estimating people at NRB who are focused on company growth and building up the off-site/modular construction industry. Directly involved in business development strategies and major projects. Have been involved in the industry Trade Association (MBI) off and on since 1997 as Board Member, Committee Chair(s), and Past President with a focus on helping move the industry forward and expand it's market share of commercial construction. Trustee of the Modular Building Institute Canadian Educational Foundation that supports industry research and educational scholarships. Board Member of the Off-Site Construction Council of the National Institute of Building Sciences.
Ryan E. Smith is a Professor and Director of the School of Design & Construction at Washington State University. Professor Smith has been teaching, researching and consulting with respect to offsite construction, industrialized building, prefabricated and volumetric modular product R&D, factory setup and layout, design assist, and market analysis and surveys, for 18 years. Smith is author of numerous offsite construction reports, papers and books including the seminal text, Prefab Architecture (Wiley, 2010). He is the founding past chair of the National Institute of Building Sciences, Offsite Construction Council, a fellow of the Modular Building Institute and a Senior Research Fellow in the Centre for Offsite Construction + Innovative Structures at Edinburgh Napier University in the UK.
