As giving up is not in Mogens’ books, at 71 he launched a Digital Interior Construction company called Falkbuilt. Falkbuilt’s Digital Component Construction combines proven interior construction methods with next-generation technology to build beautiful, high-performing and cost-effective environments. Falkbuilt’s solutions can transform your space, shrink your construction schedule and reduce your environmental footprint.
Mogens founded DIRTT Environmental Solutions in 2004. DIRTT stands for Doing It Right This Time, the integration of design, manufacturing, and construction via a video-game experience. Smed took DIRTT from zero to $300 million in 12 years. Hundreds of hospitals, schools and leading companies including Apple, Google, LinkedIn, and Netflix have DIRTT-designed buildings and headquarters.
In the 1970s Mogens Smed, following in his cabinetmaker father’s footsteps, started in the office furniture business with his brother. After much success and some setbacks, he started in the world of modular interiors with Smed Manufacturing. It became a publicly traded company in the mid-nineties as SMED International. SMED moved from furniture to modular interior construction, manufacturing full-height movable walls, access flooring and modular furniture. Soon its movable wall sector became the largest in the industry.
What are the greatest challenges in creating well designed buildings and interior spaces?
Cost—lack of skilled labor to execute any type of complexity, schedule (build it fast, not better), substandard materials to reduce costs and absolutely no real process for integrated project delivery. In North America we “build design” as opposed to “design build”! There is absolutely no real established value proposition for building a sustainable solution.
What can be done to solve this challenge?
New wave technology, complete with artificial intelligence and big data operating in the cloud can and will revolutionize the industry.
How do these technologies address the problem of cost?
Off-site fabrication is the solution but only if the technology provides a seamless end-to-end solution. This means truly intelligent VR/AR, and 3D models that are seamlessly linked directly to the manufacturing process. The architectural, design, engineering and construction industries are seeing billions of dollars in technology investments over the past three years with much more to come. There is no question the ultimate solution will become reality (at least for Revit) within the next 24 months where the architectural and design community will regain control of the process. The efficiency and precision of the software will facilitate far greater design flexibility in a fraction of the time, with total predictability as to the cost and the quality of the solution.
What about the legacy investment in technology tools; larger architectural, design, and engineering firms have thousands of licenses as well as having used those tools for years?
This is absolutely the most exciting opportunity: if the solution is properly developed, it will empower industry standard software to connect to the cloud and incorporate artificial intelligence and big data, while exponentially increasing speed and capacity.
What about the thousands of smaller and mid-size users?
These folks will just have fewer licenses for approximately the same cost per license, while having all the same powerful technology features as the larger firms. Technology will definitely level the playing field and allow smaller firms to participate in much larger projects on a capacity and competitive basis.
How will this effect design flexibility and creativity without compromising cost and quality of execution?
Working in the cloud, along with artificial intelligence and big data will bring a whole new level of creativity in a fraction of the time and cost, along with predictable results.
What are the design and construction materials of the future?
There is no question wood structures (both heavy and light timber) will gain momentum in the market, especially considering the flexibility and possibilities for design; enabled by sophisticated and advanced 3D modeling systems. Of course, the combination of new polycarbonates etc. along with 3D modeling will completely revolutionize the process.
How does all this respond to environmental considerations?
Obviously, anything that impacts the carbon footprint is far more impactful than edible fabrics and carpets. Everything we’ve described here leads to far smaller manufacturing facilities, less staffing in the factories, dramatically reduced freight and far less on-site labor. This is exactly why wood versus concrete and steel is so attractive. All this contributes to a hugely positive impact on the environment.
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give yourself earlier in your career?
"The strong oaks of today are the nuts that held their ground."
Learn more about Mogens at his website, mogenssmed.com/.