Industry insight was provided by a local BC, prefabricated wood framing supplier, giving attendees both high-level perspective and practical on-the-ground experience.

Below is a recap of these great presentations, capturing all of the major topics discussed.

1. Understanding What Off-Site Construction Really Means

The presenters opened by clarifying that off-site construction is defined not by different materials, but by where fabrication occurs. Instead of building everything on-site, much of the work can be shifted into controlled manufacturing environments.

They described a full spectrum of off-site solutions:

• Pre-cut or lightly assembled components

• Open panels (framing + sheathing)

• Closed panels (framing + insulation + membranes + windows + interior layers)

• Advanced panelization

• Modular volumetric units (fully constructed rooms or suites)

This spectrum gives design teams flexibility to choose the appropriate level of prefabrication based on project goals, budget, and site conditions.

2. Where Off-Site Construction Adds the Most Value

Remote or Hard-to-Access Locations

Off-site methods were shown to be highly effective when:

• Skilled labour is limited

• Weather windows are short

• Access roads are seasonal or restricted

• Material deliveries are costly or unreliable

By shifting fabrication to a factory, projects reduce risk, shorten schedules, and eliminate many of the uncertainties common in remote environments.

Urban and Suburban Sites

Even on typical city projects, off-site construction yields significant benefits:

• Faster structural erection

• Reduced neighbourhood noise

• Cleaner, safer job sites

• Lower site overhead

• Faster enclosure and earlier access for interior trades

• Shorter time to revenue for owners

3. Improved Quality, Consistency, and Predictability

Factory production provides:

• Automated and consistent fastening patterns

• Higher precision tolerances

• Improved quality assurance

• Less rework

• Safer working environments

This predictability is crucial for both structural performance and building envelope integrity.

4. The Importance of Early Design Coordination

One of the most repeated messages was that off-site construction succeeds or fails in the design phase.

The presenters highlighted:

• BIM-based coordination across all disciplines

• Early clash detection

• Clear identification of which details are fixed vs. flexible

• The importance of involving prefabrication suppliers during Schematic Design or Design Development

• Aligning specifications with supplier capabilities and lead times

Early engagement reduces redesign effort, avoids conflicts on site, and accelerates construction.

5. Procurement Approaches That Support Prefabrication

The presentation explained that procurement models such as:

• Construction Management

• Progressive Design-Build

• Design-Build with Design Assist

allow project teams to bring suppliers into design early enough for meaningful collaboration, without compromising competitive tendering requirements.

6. Seismic and Building Code Considerations

The presenters discussed how off-site systems respond to the growing seismic requirements across Canada.

Key points included:

• Open panels generally follow the same engineering logic as traditional site-built framing.

• Closed panels and modular assemblies require careful load-path continuity and targeted access for connections.

• Small openings in cladding or interior finishes may be needed on site to complete structural fastenings.

• Prefabrication is fully compatible with Canadian code requirements when properly engineered.

7. How Prefabricated Walls, Floors, and Stairs Are Built

Wall Panels

• Built in controlled environments

• Bundled in installation order

• Delivered just-in-time to reduce site clutter

Floor Panels (Floor Cassettes)

• Include joists, diaphragms, sheathing, service penetrations, and blocking

• Reduce floor squeaks and improve assembly accuracy

• Allow for rapid installation with minimal site labour

Prefabricated Stairs

• Manufactured to consistent rise/run dimensions

• Installed in minutes instead of hours

• Often assembled into stair “cores” for early safe site access

8. On-Site Logistics and Installation

Panels arrive in sequence, placed using:

• Colour-coded layout drawings

• Just-in-time deliveries (often within 48 hours)

• Crane placement directly from the truck

• A standardized rule: “Handle each panel only once”

This approach results in:

• Clean, efficient job sites

• Rapid multi-storey progress

• Minimal waste

• Streamlined scheduling for follow-on trades

9. The Future of Off-Site Wood Construction

Hybrid Mass Timber + Light Wood Prefabrication

Future buildings are increasingly combining mass timber’s beauty and structural capabilities with the speed and efficiency of panelized light-frame systems.

Factory-Installed Envelopes and Windows. One of the most exciting developments discussed in the presentation is the integration of high-performance windows and envelope components directly into prefabricated wall panels.

This approach provides several sustainability and performance advantages:

• Higher airtightness through precise factory installation

• Better thermal performance, reducing heating and cooling loads

• Reduced operational carbon emissions over the building’s lifetime

• Lower long-term utility costs

• Improved moisture control and durability

• Enhanced occupant comfort

With climate goals and energy codes becoming more stringent, high-performance windows installed in factory conditions ensure consistency and help buildings meet:

• energy-efficiency targets

• greenhouse-gas reduction goals

• future net-zero performance expectations

Additionally, faster enclosure—sometimes within 6–8 weeks—allows interior work to begin earlier and protects materials from weather exposure.

Designing With Prefabrication in Mind

The presenters encouraged architects and engineers to intentionally design buildings that align with prefabrication principles:

• panel widths

• vertical joint alignment

• window placement

• cladding strategies

• mechanical and electrical routing

This approach unlocks the full efficiency potential of off-site construction.

The WoodWorks BC presentation offered a holistic overview of how off-site wood construction is being applied today and how it will evolve in the coming years. With improved quality, faster installation, reduced waste, and opportunities for high-performance building envelopes, off-site construction is becoming a foundational strategy for sustainable development in Canada.

By integrating thoughtful design practices, early coordination, and factory-controlled assemblies—including high-performance windows—project teams can significantly reduce both the short-term construction impact and the long-term carbon footprint of the buildings they create.