As the Deputy Chair of the Offsite NZ Board, Senior Associate, Ben Drake is passionate about the potential of offsite construction to deliver smarter, faster, and more sustainable projects across Aotearoa.
We asked Ben to share his perspectives.
What is your experience in this space?
I “cut my teeth” for many years internationally as a structural engineer designing and delivering large-scale, complex offsite / modular projects in the UK, Canada, and USA. I learnt many lessons along the way and I am passionate about embedding these into the New Zealand industry.
Why is offsite construction important for New Zealand?
Offsite construction isn’t just about speed, it’s about doing things smarter. It helps reduce errors, improve safety, and deliver projects more sustainably. With workforce pressures and the need for resilient infrastructure, these benefits are really valuable for our communities and clients. It is also a useful delivery vehicle for large asset owners to scale effectively (think Government Ministries or housing developers rolling out national programmes of new buildings).
What are the biggest benefits when it’s done well?
Quality and efficiency. Manufacturing components in a controlled environment reduces mistakes on-site and keeps projects moving. It’s safer for teams, better for the environment, and ultimately delivers more value.
How do you see offsite construction evolving in NZ?
I think it’ll become a standard option to consider for many projects, especially where speed, quality, and sustainability are critical. Investing in skills, technology, and collaboration now will set the industry, and the country up for long-term success.
What’s the most important piece of advice to clients who are considering adoption of offsite delivery?
First and foremost, seek out some reliable advice. Offsite delivery does not suit every project, and it is not necessarily the panacea to solve all of our industry’s problems (although it will significantly contribute to solving many!). Clients also need to be very clear on their own brief and often have to make decisions a lot earlier than usual – the benefits of offsite can be lost with late changes.
Why is Frequency involved in this space?
We want to support the growth of offsite delivery and help our clients get the best outcomes. Sponsoring the annual OffsiteNZ Conference and being involved on the Board allows us to share knowledge, promote innovation, and contribute to a stronger sector overall.
OffsiteNZ runs events for Members and non-members. For more info or to connect with the OffsiteNZ team, visit offsitenz.com