{"id":24681,"date":"2024-01-30T16:38:01","date_gmt":"2024-01-31T00:38:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/parameterized-industrial-construction-an-interview-with-chris-aerts\/"},"modified":"2024-01-30T16:38:04","modified_gmt":"2024-01-31T00:38:04","slug":"parameterized-industrial-construction-an-interview-with-chris-aerts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/parameterized-industrial-construction-an-interview-with-chris-aerts\/","title":{"rendered":"Parameterized Industrial Construction \u2013 An Interview with Chris Aerts"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <a href=\"https:\/\/essential.construction\/files\/membership-default-internal\/\" class=\"memberhide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/01\/20220718_175041000_iOS.jpg\" alt=\"-\"><\/a><br\/><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"\">\n<p><strong>I had the pleasure of chatting with Chris Aerts, the founder of <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aplusv.solutions\" target=\"_blank\">AplusV solutions<\/a>. His company wants to start systemic change in the construction industry with parametric and robotized sustainable construction.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p> <span id=\"more-2012171\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Chris has been growing his expertise in alternative ways of construction for quite some time. About six years ago, he joined a startup that specialized in the 3D printing of houses. The company undertook projects in Europe, India, and the Middle East.<\/p>\n<p>While working, Chris also studied architecture and engineering. He completed his master\u2019s degree at Delft University of Technology in June 2020.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>During his studies, Chris realized that the Netherlands is facing a massive housing challenge in the coming years. The country\u2019s construction industry produces around 65,000 housing units annually. That falls short of the 1 million units projected to be needed in the next eight years. Chris saw that the industry must change radically to keep up with the growing need. His solution: digitized and robotized industrial-scale manufacturing of houses.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Starting up AplusV solutions<\/h2>\n<p>\u201c3D printing is a very nice novel method for producing houses, but I believe that to scale up, we need better solutions,\u201d Chris says.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>While exploring industrial manufacturing methods at university, Chris ended up devising a mass timber building system.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>After graduating, he wanted to bring his ideas to life and launched AplusV solutions, a construction technology firm. It develops software and mass customization systems and provides consulting services to construction sector companies that want to revamp their production.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"444\" src=\"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2024\/01\/Facade-mass-customization-AplusV-solutions.jpg\" alt=\"Facade mass customization AplusV solutions\" class=\"wp-image-2012176 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2024\/01\/Facade-mass-customization-AplusV-solutions.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/aec-business.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Facade-mass-customization-AplusV-solutions-768x284.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Robotized construction<\/h2>\n<p>AplusV solutions has developed, for example, a configurator for timber wall structures. By adjusting wall parameters, a manufacturer or designer can create endless variations of the same structure.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>When the design is complete, the user sends the \u201crecipe\u201d file to a manufacturing plant where robots, using AplusV solutions software, assemble the wall automatically. During the process, the user does not have to do any coding.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf\u00a0we want to produce the one million new homes in the Netherlands, we have to embed all our construction knowledge in digital programs which we can reuse many times,\u201d Chris maintains.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2024\/01\/Robotized-construction-AplusV-solutions.jpg\" alt=\"Robotized construction\" class=\"wp-image-2012172 lazyload\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2058\" height=\"1434\" src=\"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2024\/01\/Robotized-construction-AplusV-solutions.jpg\" alt=\"Robotized construction\" class=\"wp-image-2012172 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2024\/01\/Robotized-construction-AplusV-solutions.jpg 2058w, https:\/\/aec-business.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Robotized-construction-AplusV-solutions-1200x836.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/aec-business.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Robotized-construction-AplusV-solutions-768x535.jpg 768w, https:\/\/aec-business.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Robotized-construction-AplusV-solutions-1536x1070.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/aec-business.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Robotized-construction-AplusV-solutions-2048x1427.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2058px) 100vw, 2058px\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Developing with partners<\/h2>\n<p>AplusV solutions has already worked with ABB Robotics, developing simulation software for robotized construction. The production software is still in development, but the simulation already demonstrates the potential of the concept.<\/p>\n<p>Developing a mass customized production system is not a solo act. That\u2019s why AplusV solutions works with system integrators, robotic manufacturing partners, IT companies, and TU Delft. So, for example, when Chris goes to a large construction firm that wants to start industrializing their housing production, he brings in a systems integrator and ABB Robotics at the get-go.<\/p>\n<p>Several manufacturing plants in the Netherlands have shown interest in the solution. They don\u2019t necessarily have the expertise to operate industrial robots, but with the AplusV solutions and its partners, they don\u2019t need it.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Industrialization requires rethinking<\/h2>\n<p>Chris believes that the industrialization of construction calls for a change in business models. Instead of \u201cengineering to order,\u201d we need to transform to \u201cconfigure to order\u201d \u2013 moving from projects to products. In addition, this makes scaling up production possible, even on an international level.<\/p>\n<p>Industrialization requires the integration of the whole value chain digitally and process-wise. The result should be an uninterrupted digitalized workflow from configuration to production, logistics, and financial management.<\/p>\n<p>Chris believes that in housing, panelized off-site production is more practical than volumetric modular production. It also makes it easier to create a variety of designs. In highly repetitive buildings, such as student housing, the volumetric alternative is feasible, he thinks. Bathroom units are another example of modules that can be produced off-site successfully.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Chris mentions a bathroom manufacturer who has shown interest in using robots for wall assembly and tiling. But as in car manufacturing, the electrical wiring of the units is still manual work.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2024\/01\/Integrated-value-chain-AplusV-solutions-1.jpg\" alt=\"integrated value chain AplusV solutions\" class=\"wp-image-2012178 lazyload\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2400\" height=\"851\" src=\"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2024\/01\/Integrated-value-chain-AplusV-solutions-1.jpg\" alt=\"integrated value chain AplusV solutions\" class=\"wp-image-2012178 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2024\/01\/Integrated-value-chain-AplusV-solutions-1.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/aec-business.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Integrated-value-chain-AplusV-solutions-1-1200x426.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/aec-business.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Integrated-value-chain-AplusV-solutions-1-768x272.jpg 768w, https:\/\/aec-business.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Integrated-value-chain-AplusV-solutions-1-1536x545.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/aec-business.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Integrated-value-chain-AplusV-solutions-1-2048x726.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Toward a circular economy<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cThe Netherlands wants to be fully circular in 2050. I believe digitalization is essential in the transition to the circular economy,\u201d Chris says, \u201cWhen you have a digital twin of a building, it becomes \u2013 in a way \u2013 a material bank.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The choice of timber as the primary building material is also a response to growing sustainability requirements. There are already several off-site timber manufacturers in the Netherlands, so robotizing their production is not a giant leap.<\/p>\n<p>Chris emphasizes that we don\u2019t have to stick to the old mass production paradigm. Instead, parametrization combined with robotics provides a plethora of design alternatives that can use the same production line setup.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI believe parametric platforms are the way to go if you want to produce one-off buildings, but on an industrial scale,\u201d he concludes.<\/p>\n<p>Visit <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aplusv.solutions\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.aplusv.solutions<\/a> for more information and contact <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/chrisaertsnl\/\" target=\"_blank\">Chris on LinkedIn<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p> <span class=\"et_social_bottom_trigger\"\/><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-5143531171910809\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- News - Bottom -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-5143531171910809\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"8320848692\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\r\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/aec-business.com\/parameterized-industrial-construction-an-interview-with-chris-aerts\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">This article was originally posted at Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I had the pleasure of chatting with Chris Aerts, the founder of AplusV solutions. His company wants to start systemic &#8230; <a title=\"Parameterized Industrial Construction \u2013 An Interview with Chris Aerts\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/parameterized-industrial-construction-an-interview-with-chris-aerts\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Parameterized Industrial Construction \u2013 An Interview with Chris Aerts\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24682,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1062,1066],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24681","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aec-business","category-all-posts","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24681","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24681"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24681\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24682"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24681"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24681"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24681"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}