Design-Build Model Poised to Dominate Industrial Construction Spending
Event summary
- Gray Construction released a whitepaper on June 17, 2026, analyzing the rise of design-build delivery in industrial projects.
- The paper cites studies from DBIA, CII, and AGC showing design-build improves cost, schedule, and risk management.
- Design-build is projected to account for nearly half of all construction spending in the next five years.
- Gray attributes the model's success to early alignment of design, procurement, and construction teams.
The big picture
Gray Construction's whitepaper underscores a broader industry shift toward integrated project delivery models. As industrial projects grow more complex, the ability to align teams early in the lifecycle is becoming a competitive differentiator. The projected 50% share of construction spending highlights how design-build is moving from niche to standard practice, particularly for owners prioritizing speed-to-market and cost efficiency.
What we're watching
- Adoption Pace
- Whether design-build can sustain its growth trajectory amid increasing industrial project complexity.
- Competitive Response
- How traditional construction firms will adapt as design-build becomes mainstream.
- Regulatory Impact
- The effect of permitting complexity and tariff uncertainty on design-build project timelines.
Related topics