Making Modular Mainstream
Making Modular Mainstream
Modular. Prefab. Factory-Built. Offsite Construction. Whatever terminology you prefer, the process is one of the hottest topics in the construction industry.
Modular construction has been around for a very long time but the continued shortage of skilled labor through the last decade and increasing demand for shorter schedules and reduced costs has made a more widespread adaptation of modular construction a necessity for the future of the industry. To accomplish that, we must make a concerted effort to change misperceptions and industry processes.
Changing Perceptions
Articles about well-known companies like Marriott using modular construction for new hotels are great examples of the growing adoption of the technology. However, there is still a need to showcase and share successful modular projects. Case studies can help dispel any lingering notions that modular means cookie cutter, temporary, lacking in quality and design, or that it’s only for the shell of a building.
Because the fact is, modular construction can be used for everything from the building structure, restrooms and patient walls, to the utility systems. Modular projects can be custom designed to fit any design aesthetic or technical need and can provide superior quality and efficiency to traditionally built projects. Plus, they can provide cost and time savings.
Changing Processes
A successful modular project takes cooperation and coordination from the very beginning to the very end of the project. We have to educate engineers, contractors, and customers on what that process looks like.
We attended the Advancing Prefabrication 2018 conference in Dallas, and it was an awesome example of this. Focusing on innovating processes and improving collaboration between stakeholders, they had leading contractors, designers and owners present best practices with networking opportunities and discussion forums.
More, More, More
We need to continue these discussions – more conferences, more articles, more education and more promotion of modular construction.
We’ve been building modular pumping systems for five decades and modular central plants for over 20 years. We are excited about all the attention finally being directed to modular and its many benefits. We can’t wait to do and see more modular.
See some of our modular projects-
Photos
Case Studies
