Modular Buildings

Buildings
Sectors	Buildings
Contact	Wilfred Pinfold
Topics	E-Worksite Intelligent Building Low Income Housing Mobility Modular Buildings Next Generation Building Operations Organizational and Individual Productivity and Wellness of Smart Buildings Public Safety-Resilience and Regeneration of Communities Regenerative Urbanism Resilience Hubs Smart Building-related Mobility
Press NREL Net-Zero Energy Modules A new report from Blokable, the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2), and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) details actionable pathways to developing and building net zero energy (NZE) housing without increasing costs yet still reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. IN2 is managed by NREL's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center.

Authors

Modular building systems refer to the construction of buildings using prefabricated components that are assembled on site to form a complete structure. The history of modular building systems dates back to the 18th century, when the concept of prefabrication was first introduced.

One of the earliest examples of modular construction was the use of prefabricated ironclad buildings during the Industrial Revolution. These buildings were assembled from pre-manufactured iron or steel parts that were shipped to the construction site and assembled using bolts and rivets.

In the early 20th century, modular building systems gained popularity in the United States, where they were used to construct housing and other structures for military bases and temporary housing during World War II. In the 1950s and 1960s, modular building systems were also used to construct low-cost housing in countries around the world.

In recent years, modular building systems have gained renewed interest due to their potential to reduce construction time and cost, and to improve the sustainability of building projects. Modular building systems are now used for a wide range of applications, including residential and commercial construction, schools and hospitals, and even high-rise buildings.

Reducing Construction Time and Cost

Modular building construction can potentially reduce construction time and cost in several ways:

1. Reduced on-site construction time: Modular building components are prefabricated off-site and then assembled on-site, which can significantly reduce the overall construction time compared to traditional on-site construction methods.
2. Increased efficiency: Modular building construction is highly efficient because it involves the use of specialized equipment and techniques, and because the prefabrication process can be optimized through the use of computer-aided design (CAD) and other technologies. This can help to reduce construction time and cost.
3. Reduced material waste: Modular building construction can help to reduce material waste because the prefabrication process allows for precise measurement and cutting of materials, which minimizes waste.
4. Reduced financing costs: Because modular building construction can reduce construction time, it can also help to reduce financing costs, as the project will be completed faster and the loan will be paid off sooner.
5. Improved quality: Modular building construction can also result in improved quality because the prefabrication process allows for better quality control and greater precision in the manufacturing of building components.

Overall, modular building construction can offer significant cost and time savings compared to traditional construction methods, although the specific cost and time savings will depend on the specific project and the use of modular building systems.

Improving Sustainability

Modular building construction can potentially improve the sustainability of building projects in several ways:

1. Reduced energy use: Modular building components can be prefabricated in a controlled factory environment, which allows for the use of energy-efficient equipment and techniques. This can help to reduce the overall energy use associated with the construction process.
2. Reduced material waste: As mentioned earlier, modular building construction can help to reduce material waste because the prefabrication process allows for precise measurement and cutting of materials, which minimizes waste.
3. Improved indoor air quality: Modular building construction can also result in improved indoor air quality because the prefabrication process allows for the use of higher-quality materials and better construction techniques, which can help to reduce the risk of indoor air pollution.
4. Reduced carbon emissions: Modular building construction can also help to reduce carbon emissions associated with the construction process. Because modular building components are prefabricated off-site, the transportation of materials to the construction site is minimized, which can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
5. Increased durability: Modular building construction can result in buildings that are more durable and longer-lasting, which can help to reduce the environmental impact of building projects over the long term.

Overall, modular building construction can offer significant sustainability benefits compared to traditional construction methods, although the specific benefits will depend on the specific project and the use of modular building systems.

Future Trends

Modular building techniques are expected to continue to advance and gain broader adoption. Some of the key factors that are expected to drive the growth of modular building in the future include:

1. Increasing demand for affordable housing: The demand for affordable housing is expected to increase in many countries around the world, and modular building systems can offer a cost-effective solution for meeting this demand.
2. Growing interest in sustainable building practices: The demand for sustainable building practices is also expected to increase in the coming years, and modular building systems can offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional construction methods.
3. Advances in technology: The development of new technologies, such as 3D printing and prefabrication automation, is expected to further improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of modular building systems.
4. Increased construction needs: The population is expected to continue to grow in many parts of the world, which will increase the demand for new construction projects. Modular building systems can offer a faster and more cost-effective solution for meeting this demand.

Reports

		Decarbonization During Predevelopment of Modular Building Solutions
		Affordable, zero carbon emissions is an important climate-performance target for the future of multifamily housing, and the multifamily construction industry holds an essential position in achieving this goal in the United States. Building construction and operation accounts for 37% of global energy-related carbon emissions (UN Environment Programme 2021). Meanwhile, an additional 3.8 million housing units are needed to address the shortage in the United States.