unnecessary work at every step.” AMC1 has been developed to support that philosophy. Digital building information is brought directly into the manufacturing environment, while specialised lifting systems allow modules to be moved repeatedly through the facility as construction progresses. JMB has also developed ways to complete more of the building in the factory, including cladding, internal finishes, joinery and integrated concrete floors. The result is a production model designed around repeatability and certainty rather than relying on individual trades to solve problems differently from project to project. “Construction has traditionally treated every building as a prototype,” James says. “Our ambition is to retain architectural flexibility while applying manufacturing disciplines — repeatable components, controlled environments, digital information, takt times, quality hold points and continuous improvement.” For James, the future of construction will not simply be about moving work offsite. “It’s about fundamentally designing buildings for manufacture and assembly. That is where the real productivity improvement comes from.” Today, that system is being tested against a market where the regulatory, insurance and finance frameworks are still adapting to modern methods of construction. “From a manufacturing perspective, we know the model works,” James says. “The challenge now SEPTEMBER 2026
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