Rod Macdonald, chairman of international multidisciplinary engineering consultancy Buro Happold, has initiated a process which is leading to a parliamentary inquiry into the poor design and quality of the products currently available for the construction of our built environment.
Macdonald is working with APDIG, the Associate Parliamentary Design and Innovation Group, along with Constructing Excellence and representatives from the industry to try to gather industry views and to engage designers and manufacturers of construction products in a drive to achieve cheaper better quality buildings assembled from improved parts.

The idea was initiated at a gathering in March 2010 when a number of eminent construction sector leaders, parliamentarians, academics, and government officials including Mark Prisk MP, current Minister for Construction, Nick Raynsford MP, former Labour Minister of Construction, and Paul Morrell, the Government's chief construction advisor, met to discuss the issue and identify a path towards a solution.

Leading the first steering group meeting in July, Macdonald suggested the construction industry has fallen behind others in adapting to the modern world and appropriating new technology, and that the industry should be striving to reach a position where it delivers buildings from highly developed parts that are continually evolving and improving.

Both Nick Raynsford MP and Lord Alan Howarth raised concern and need for change in areas of public responsibility (the role of government in procurement and regulation) while private sector leaders advocated the need and responsibility for quality, leadership and interdisciplinary practice in the design, manufacture and distribution of building parts.

There is a general consensus that much of current public sector practice and industry culture is not conducive to continuous improvement.

The group is due to meet again shortly to finalise the details of the enquiry and take it to the industry and government.