Modular construction for Architects & Developers - part 1
MODULAR CONSTRUCTION FOR ARCHITECTS & Developers - part 1
An increasing number of building projects across several markets are using modular construction, the process by which components of a building are prefabricated off-site into modules, in a controlled setting and then shipped to the project site. This approach allows projects to capture the efficiencies gained by integrating the processes and technologies of design, manufacturing, and construction— without having to compromise on aesthetic intent.
While a range of factors are driving increased use of modular construction, a number of barriers are preventing its wider adoption. And although the planning and design process involved in modular construction is in several ways similar to that of traditional on-site construction, there are some significant differences and a number of considerations that project teams unfamiliar with the modular approach must understand before committing to it.
A modular project being finished in factory before getting shipped over to the site by trucks.
In addition, as a modular construction approach requires a high level of coordination and collaboration among project team members, it promotes a more integrated process that can in turn lead to increased productivity during the design and planning stages of the project.
An off-site construction approach is also generally safer for workers. Workers work in a controlled setting and are not exposed to the hazards of extreme weather and other construction site dangers such as those related to noise and air quality.
On top of increased safety, moving construction work to off-site manufacturing facilities could improve the overall culture of construction work, for example, by providing greater job security and more flexible shifts for workers.
The production and storage of building components in an enclosed facility also results in reduced exposure to the weather, which can cause moisture-related damage during construction and, in turn, decrease the durability of the components and increase the potential for mold growth that’s harmful to occupant health.
Labor productivity is also increased when using an off-site approach. A crew working in a factory is less affected by adverse weather. Additionally, a crew equipped with precise tools and machinery, working in a space designed to provide ideal conditions for manufacture, is able to achieve higher levels of quality in a more efficient manner. Off-site construction also means a more consistent crew and a more controlled workflow that will be less prone to disruption
Steel structure of a modular house, similar to one of a traditional built house.