Offsite2026 - PrefabAUS conference
We're reflecting on two busy days of learning, conversation and inspiration at the prefabAUS Offsite2026 conference.
Day 1 was split into workshop streams and we attended the Australian Building Codes Board session in the proposed Voluntary Certification Scheme for prefab. There's a lot in there that they want to achieve and some great discussion around the tables. We view it as a way to quickly grow trust in manufacturers for new potential clients, but there are a lot of details still to be ironed out, like how interfaces are managed in a 'kit of parts' approach to modular, or what my PI insurer thinks about the idea of design certifications that could be used multiple times!
The second session we attended was the DFMA Essentials, which was an abridged version of the Melbourne Polytechnic micro-credential (another worthy course for those who want to learn more). Simon McCarthy gamely stepped into the presenter's spot at short notice and did a great job at giving the audience a grounding in DFMA principles and interspersing it with anecdotes and examples.
Day 2 we had a full schedule of presentations from government, policy makers, economists, manufacturers, suppliers and even a lawyer! It was great to get perspectives from so many different professions and phrases like 'generational opportunity' kept coming up. A few key topics came up like the need to gather real data to show the benefits and help us learn for the future, as well as the need to collaborate across the suppliers, industry, government and designers to share more. A rising tide lifts all boats, and PrefabAUS is working hard to make that happen.
🏗️ Favourite presentation: Andrew Morrison from Kapitol put up some great statistics on the work they've been doing in the volumetric space (though one which really stood out had me considering whether to retrain as an electrician)! Real savings are possible with volumetric modular, but we're asking the wrong questions: we have a certainty problem, not a method problem.
🤖 Best merch: Vekta Automation's Lego truss model. I may have said I was taking it for my son, but it was absolutely just for me.
🐶 Best stand: Dulux - I'm a sucker for a old English sheepdog. Such a good girl!
🏆 After the conference the Smart Building Awards took place and were a great opportunity to share some of the innovative projects being delivered across the country. Huge congratulations to Jan Gyrn of Modscape + Modbotics for taking home the Sue Rolland Prefab Champion award. A founding member of PrefabAUS, Jan has built an incredibly successful business and with the announcement of their new factory in Queensland, they look set to continue to set the pace in MMC in Australia.
