Here’s something you probably didn’t know about buildings — the vast majority of them are made from modular construction . That’s right, from apartments to offices to skyscrapers, many structures are built from prefabricated components that are built in factories and then pieced together on-site. And it makes sense why this practice is growing more and more popular every year — with cheaper production costs, improved quality control, and faster construction times, there’s no denying that modular construction has a lot to offer any builder or owner looking to get their project finished as quickly and efficiently as possible.
What is Modular Construction?
Modular construction, or prefabricated construction, refers to building components that are assembled off-site, before being transported and installed at their final destination. Despite traditional construction’s stick-built reputation for high costs and lengthy timelines, modular methods can actually be far more affordable than building on-site from start to finish. Here’s how: Because these buildings are built in a factory setting and shipped fully constructed (modular) or ready for assembly (prefabricated), they drastically reduce labor costs by minimizing on-site work crews; they also eliminate many weather delays as well as most material waste. They’re also quickly becoming more popular—the manufacturing process offers a host of advantages over traditional site work. While it may not seem like it, there are plenty of reasons why modular construction has started taking over the world of building. Read on to learn about them!
Modular/Prefab Advantages: Even though modular construction is typically much faster and less expensive than traditional site-based methods, what really sets it apart is its consistency and precision. Everything happens in an exact order with quality control checks throughout each step of production so you know exactly what you’re getting when your new home arrives. With any luck, your new home will come out looking just like those stunning model homes you’ve seen at all those fancy new housing developments around town! So why do people love modular?
Breaking Down Barriers in Buildings Industry
While modular construction has been growing in popularity, it’s still a niche market. Adopting new technology isn’t always an easy process, especially when it involves major changes to how something is done and even who gets to do it. To help those considering making a change, we’ve highlighted some countries that have adopted modular construction in different sectors and economies. As you look at these examples, think about how adopting modular construction might impact people in your own country. If you’re open to change, what might be positive? If you’re wary of new technology, what could go wrong? How can you prepare for potential problems or issues? By learning from other countries’ experiences, you can begin to make informed decisions on whether or not modular construction is right for your company.
Adopting this Trend in Different Countries
Though modular construction started in Europe decades ago, it’s now being adopted around the world. This year, several high-profile institutions began projects using prefabricated modules. These include Singapore’s new National Library and Technology Hub, four living labs to be built in New York City over a three-year period by an $80 million partnership between GE and Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s PlaNYC program, and Vancouver Public Library—whose bookshelves are currently being constructed via a joint venture between UBC Properties Trust and Hansen Partnership. The BBC also announced plans to build eight new studios in London that will house 1,000 employees by 2013 using a module system developed with construction firm Laing O’Rourke. In addition, there are plenty of other examples from around the world: Earlier this year, Norway opened its first building made from components fabricated offsite. In December 2010, China unveiled its first factory for making pre-fabricated houses; only two months later, India followed suit with a similar facility. And last October in Japan, Toyota Motor Corp., Nissan Motor Co., and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. jointly launched an initiative to build factories capable of producing 100 million vehicles annually by 2020 through integrated production.