Rethinking prefabricated construction management using the VP‐based IKEA model in Hong Kong

Abstract

Prefabricated construction is regarded by many as an effective and efficient approach to improving construction processes and productivity, ensuring construction quality and reducing time and cost in the construction industry. However, many problems occur with this approach in practice, including higher risk levels and cost or time overruns. In order to solve such problems, it is proposed that the IKEA model of the manufacturing industry and VP technology are introduced into a prefabricated construction process. The concept of the IKEA model is identified in detail and VP technology is briefly introduced. In conjunction with VP technology, the applications of the IKEA model are presented in detail, i.e. design optimization, production optimization and installation optimization. Furthermore, through a case study of a prefabricated hotel project in Hong Kong, it is shown that the VP‐based IKEA model can improve the efficiency and safety of prefabricated construction as well as reducing cost and time.

Keywords:

• Prefabricated construction
• IKEA model
• Virtual Prototyping
• design optimization
• construction optimization

Acknowledgements

The research is supported by a research grant from the Ministry of Science and Technology of the PRC (Grant No. 2007BAF23B04). The authors acknowledge China Overseas Holdings Limited, Gammon Construction Limited and other participants for their support during implementation of the proposed model and data collection.