Kiwi innovation delivers ‘world-first in construction’
A small New Zealand company is saying that it is shaking up the global construction industry, becoming what the company describes as the first in the world to deliver a “fully proven” design for industrialisation building system — “leaving even the world’s biggest players” in its wake.
Adaptable Structures has unveiled Anyplace, a modular construction kit that it says redefines how homes and buildings are designed, built, and lived in.
Adaptable Structures says that unlike other concepts that never left the prototype stage, Anyplace is already in production, making New Zealand the birthplace of a “true world-first in construction innovation”.
“New Zealanders have always punched above their weight, and with Anyplace, we’re not just keeping up — we’re leading,” says Murphy O’Neal, founder of Adaptable Structures. “We’re proud to put Kiwi ingenuity on the global stage with a system that’s not only sustainable and circular, but also genuinely affordable and adaptable for real people’s lives.”
Anyplace’s 50-part modular kit is designed for commercial, residential, industrial, and disaster relief uses. Its low-carbon aluminium structure achieves a near-zero waste exterior (99%) and over 98% material circularity – “outperforming global benchmarks” and meeting the urgent demand for sustainable building solutions.
But Anyplace goes further, challenging the economic status quo of housing. Its “Lego-like” modularity means homes can expand, contract, or adapt as needs and budgets change.
Homeowners can resell or repurpose rooms, and interior fit-outs are designed for accessibility and aging in place. This could see mortgage terms slashed from 30 years to as little as 3–5 years – a “seismic shift for families and communities”.
“While the world’s largest construction markets are still talking about industrialised building, Adaptable Structures is doing it,” and the company says that this achievement puts New Zealand at the forefront of Construction 4.0 and Industry 4.0 initiatives, with active projects in Australia, the USA, and Europe.
“We’re challenging the global industry to catch up,” says O’Neal. “The future of construction is here – and it started in New Zealand.”