Where Design Meets Manufacturing Precision: Designing With Data
Julia Hodgins believes in approaching problems with what she calls “a sophisticated, analytical eye rooted in both experience and innovation.” As RNGD’s prefab design manager, that philosophy shapes everything from how individual building components are designed to how entire project delivery is reimagined.
“Rather than a design then cost approach, my goal is to marry the two,” Julia explains. Her role puts her at the intersection of design intent and construction reality, using material quantity cost analysis to approach design with cost data in mind. “So that benefiting one does not lead to sacrificing the other.”
Julia’s approach is rooted in deep respect for the construction process. “Estimating, management, and construction is an artform. I have the utmost respect for the contractors I worked with in the past and the team members I work alongside of now. There is a wealth of knowledge to be gained by embracing the practical nature of construction and the trades.”
That respect is paired with sophisticated technology. At RNGD, Julia works with systems focused on manufacturing precision, tracking “exact cost data, bill of materials, and modeling down to the screw and component.” Their Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) approach ensures each building component is designed to optimize both shop production and site installation.
The 223 Washington project showcased exactly why this integration matters. When southeast Louisiana experienced typical torrential downpours, fabrication continued uninterrupted in the controlled shop environment. Later, despite tornado warnings and rain on-site, “the entire exterior wall system was installed in only 2 weeks. I can’t express my praise to the install team enough. It was an unbelievable feat, and one we will continue to deliver.”
What impressed Julia most about RNGD’s approach was discovering “the value add of a general contractor that self performs. We are not delegating work, but taking true ownership of the construction process from concept to completion.” This vertically integrated model allows for the kind of seamless coordination between design and construction that makes projects like Alabama possible.
For Julia, being a renegade means never taking “a set of drawings, existing conditions, or any problem at face value.” Every challenge gets the analytical treatment, and every solution is grounded in both innovation and proven experience.
Her advice for others looking to expand their expertise? “Surround yourself with a trusted team of people that approach the same problem differently. There is so much value in lending your expertise, but nothing is quite as impactful as absorbing information from subject matter experts and broadening your knowledge in the process.”
Originally featured in Biz New Orleans, this story dives deeper into the people and mindset shaping how we build. To read the full article visit Biz New Orleans.
