Do we need new digital design tools for modular and offsite construction?

Do we need new digital design tools for modular and offsite construction? I bet we do! Here’s why:

• We need to be able rapidly generate modular designs. The speed benefits of offsite construction cannot be fully reaped unless we address it at the design stage
• Mainstream CAD and BIM applications fall short in combinatorics. Tools are too complex for creating buildings out of kit-of-parts. The tools that we have are far too complex and non-user friendly for tackling such simple tasks.
• Modular designs should be analysed in real time and we can possibly achieve significant cost reductions and environmental benefits, if we connect design tools directly to automatic costing and quantity calculations.

Do you know any tools that are fit for the challenge?