Amid surging demand for housing and public infrastructure in the Gulf, Group AMANA, a leading regional design-and-build firm, highlighted the transformative potential of modern methods of construction (MMC) at its inaugural UNBX event on 16 October in Dubai. The event showcased advanced construction technologies that merge design intelligence, manufacturing precision, and digital integration, enabling buildings to be created as configurable systems rather than one-off designs.
“Infrastructure development is the cornerstone of economic growth, and UNBX is a catalyst for this progress as it reimagines construction through technology and collaboration. Our goal is to bring all stakeholders together to establish a foundation that encourages the industry to build better. The energy and commitment demonstrated at UNBX is proof that the industry is ready to make a definitive shift toward MMC to support bold regional visions,” said Richard Abboud, CEO of Group AMANA.
With projections estimating the UAE construction market to reach $52.72 billion by 2030 and Saudi Arabia’s output at $191 billion by 2029, MMC and digital construction technologies are seen as critical tools for keeping pace with population growth, giga-projects, and office space demand.
The UNBX gathering brought together over 130 senior representatives from across the construction ecosystem, including developers, architects, contractors, consultants, and regulators. Participants included industry leaders from Autodesk, ALEC, Aldar, Dubai Municipality, Modon, Dubai Holding, RAKEZ, DAMAC, SOBHA, and the American University of Sharjah (AUS), who shared insights on offsite manufacturing, digital delivery, and MMC adoption.
The discussions focused on accelerating regulatory support for modern construction methods, adapting building codes for modular design, integrating digital tools, aligning design with contemporary principles, and embedding lifecycle carbon assessments into project planning. Greg Karpinski, COO and Partner at KEO, commented:
“UNBX underscores the industry’s shared ambition to scale modular adoption as a strategic lever for productivity, quality, and sustainability. We are delighted that Group AMANA has taken the lead in encouraging partnerships, pilot projects, and knowledge sharing aimed at scaling modular solutions that enhance speed, sustainability, and certainty across the built environment and we look forward to improved collaboration and shared innovation that takes the construction industry to the next level.”
The success of UNBX marks the start of a broader Industrialized Construction movement in the region. Group AMANA plans to continue leading the dialogue through partnerships, pilot projects, and knowledge sharing to promote scalable modular solutions that accelerate construction while enhancing sustainability and quality.
