70/30 Flipping The Construction Cost Equation with Benjamin Urban
Off-site construction meets real-time adaptability as DIRTT brings Design for Disassembly and software-driven building to the forefront of healthcare, education and workplace design.
DIRTT is redefining what prefab can do by treating buildings as systems that evolve, not fixed structures. In a conversation with Jeff Sample and Nathan Wood, CEO Benjamin Urban explains how DIRTT’s approach starts with Design for Disassembly, enabling spaces to change, reconfigure and scale without demolition or downtime.
At the core is a proprietary software platform that connects design, pricing and manufacturing in real time. Architects and owners can explore options, see costs instantly, and generate precise manufacturing data with a single model. The result is cost certainty, predictable timelines and a dramatically simplified construction process.
For sectors like healthcare, the impact is tangible. Spaces can be repurposed within hours to accommodate shifting patient needs, supporting continuous care without shutting down rooms. Lead times as short as 10 days and plug-and-play installation reduce disruption and labour requirements, while sustainable materials and reusable components keep waste out of landfills.
Where traditional construction locks facilities into long cycles and costly renovations, DIRTT enables small, incremental updates that keep buildings responsive and resilient. In an industry looking for speed, flexibility and certainty, the combination of modular construction and advanced technology offers a blueprint for the future.