LGSF and BIM enhance precision and efficiency in PEB projects

Modern technologies such as LGSF and BIM are transforming PEB construction in India. With government support and expanding infrastructure demands, companies like Nest-In set the standard by providing efficient, sustainable, and scalable building solutions across industries.

How are industries prioritising PEB over conventional construction, and what factors like speed, sustainability, and scalability drive this shift? 
As the head of a leading prefab construction company, I have witnessed a remarkable transformation in how industries approach infrastructure development. Today, PEBs are no longer viewed as an alternative—they’re fast becoming the first choice across sectors like warehousing, manufacturing, retail, and even institutional spaces. 

The most compelling driver is speed. In today’s highly competitive markets, businesses cannot afford delays. Our pre-engineered solutions cut construction time by nearly half compared to conventional methods. With most components fabricated off-site in controlled environments, on-site activity is reduced to swift assembly, which ensures faster time-to-operation for clients. 

Then comes sustainability, which is no longer a buzzword—it’s a business imperative. PEBs inherently support green construction practices. We use recyclable steel, generate minimal site waste, and often incorporate energy-efficient roofing and insulation systems. For clients with ESG goals, this is a game-changer. 

Finally, scalability is where PEBs truly shine. PEBs enable modular structures to be scaled with minimal disturbance and cost, making them ideal for logistics firms and manufacturers planning gradual facility expansion. Our clients appreciate that flexibility, especially in today’s dynamic business environment.

Which metals and materials are preferred for construction that offer reliability and longevity? 
The choice of materials is at the heart of every durable PEB structure. From our experience executing projects across diverse geographies and climates, high-tensile steel, especially Galvalume and Galvanised steel, remains the gold standard. These materials offer exceptional strength-to-weight ratios and outstanding corrosion resistance, important for the long-term performance of industrial and commercial buildings.

Galvalume steel, in particular, combines the strength of steel with the anti-corrosive properties of aluminium and zinc, giving our structures a significantly extended service life, even in coastal or high-humidity regions. It’s a material we rely on heavily, especially when clients are looking for 25 to 30 years of virtually maintenance-free performance.

We often use sandwich panels with PUF (Polyurethane Foam) or EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) cores in insulation and cladding. These enhance thermal efficiency by reducing energy consumption and add to the structural integrity of the building envelope.

Additionally, we at Nest-In never compromise on the quality of fasteners, sealants, and coatings. These often-overlooked elements are critical in ensuring the entire structure performs reliably under load, weather stress, and over time. 

What are the benefits of PEB constructions over traditional buildings, particularly in cost, project timeliness, and maintenance?
That’s a question we get asked often and with good reason. The advantages of Pre-Engineered Buildings (PEBs) over conventional construction are not just marginal, they’re transformative.

First, let’s talk about resource efficiency. Because PEBs are fabricated in a controlled factory environment, there’s far less material wastage, and the labour component is significantly reduced. This leads to total resource savings of 10-20 percent for our clients. More crucially, cost is much more predictable—there are fewer uncertainties, and overruns are rare.

When it comes to project timelines, PEBs are simply unmatched. Depending on complexity, traditional buildings can take 8 to 12 months—or more. With PEBs, we can complete and commission a full-scale industrial warehouse or manufacturing unit in as little as 3 to 5 months. This speed is crucial for industries where time-to-market directly impacts profitability. We at Nest-In provide the best solutions to prevent any loss of time and increase speed. 

And then there’s maintenance. The buildings require minimal upkeep since we use corrosion-resistant materials like Galvalume steel and high-grade coatings. There’s no plastering, frequent painting, or weather-related degradation like in brick-and-mortar structures. Over the lifespan of the building, the savings on maintenance can be substantial.

What’s also worth mentioning is the consistency in quality. With conventional construction, quality often depends on on-site workmanship. In contrast, PEBs are factory-produced to exact specifications, ensuring uniformity and structural integrity from day one.

How are technologies like LGSF, among other advanced materials, impacting the PEB construction? Which technologies are expected to drive the demand for PEB in the coming years? 
We’re at an exciting crossroads in the prefab and PEB industry, where technology is not just supporting our work—it’s redefining how we design, build, and deliver. For instance, Light Gauge Steel Framing (LGSF) has emerged as a game-changer, especially for structures like modular offices, schools, clinics, and residential units. LGSF systems offer precision, speed, and dry construction, making them highly suitable for urban infill and remote area developments. Even for tough terrains and emergency shelters. 

Beyond LGSF, the integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM) is profoundly impacting project accuracy and coordination. BIM allows us to visualise the entire structure in 3D before a single component is fabricated. It minimises design clashes, reduces errors, and enhances collaboration between architects, engineers, and clients. Nest-In, by far, has the best structural engineering in the industry when it comes to prefabricated structures. 

We’re also seeing growing interest in smart materials, like high-performance insulation panels and fire-rated composites, which help improve energy efficiency and compliance with global safety standards. These materials are particularly relevant for clients seeking green building certifications. Nest-In has been ISO 9001:2015 certified, demonstrating our commitment to quality.

What is the projected growth trajectory of the PEB market in India over the next five years, considering infrastructure investments, e-commerce growth, and government initiatives like Make in India and Smart Cities? 
The next five years will be pivotal for India’s Pre-Engineered Building (PEB) sector, and we’re seeing unprecedented momentum building across several verticals. If we look at the macroeconomic indicators, government policies, and real demand, the growth potential is massive, both in volume and value. 

We’re aligned with national priorities such as ‘Make in India’ and ‘Smart Cities Mission’. These are not just slogans but policy frameworks actively reshaping how infrastructure is built. For example, our modular solutions for industrial buildings, health centres, and worker accommodations enable faster infrastructure deployment in underserved areas while maintaining high standards of quality and safety.

The e-commerce boom is another strong driver. India’s warehousing sector, projected to grow at over 13–14 percent CAGR, is increasingly leaning on PEBs to set up large-scale fulfilment centres in record time. Our industrial clients, including institutional, academic, healthcare, CSR, residential, logistics, automotive, and cold storage, prefer our steel building solutions because of the quick delivery timelines, efficient design, and reduced site disruption.

We also see Smart Cities projects creating demand for smart prefab structures—from public utility kiosks and police booths to low-rise housing. We have already supplied dairy Kiosks, modular toilets for CSR initiatives, a multi-speciality hospital, and disaster-resilient shelters in collaboration with various corporations, governments and individuals. These are fast to deploy, scalable, and sustainable.  

We expect the PEB market to grow at a CAGR of 10–12 percent over the next five years. This will be propelled by increasing private investments, the need for rapid infrastructure, and the growing acceptance of green, modular, and smart construction technologies. 

In my view, the convergence of speed, sustainability, and scalability makes PEBs viable and essential for India’s next growth phase.

For more information, visit: https://www.nestin.co.in/