The Commercial Modular Building Blog

If you take a glance at the latest news headlines having to do with modular construction, you’ll find stories that show how schools all around the world are adopting modular buildings for their unique blend of efficiency and affordability along with quality and sturdiness.

You may be aware that school districts everywhere are still feeling the after-effects (or the ongoing effects, depending on your opinion) of the global recession. Districts are cutting back on expenses to cope with ever-shrinking budgets. 

Many schools are turning to modular construction for their classroom-building needs and for good reason. Modular buildings cut costs with efficient and time-saving construction methods that also minimize site disruption (which is a must for an educational environment).

How is this possible? Modular buildings are manufactured in components inside factories, where resources are used more efficiently and construction time is shortened. Most of the construction occurs offsite, leaving the build site clean and quiet so that children can continue to learn effectively, even as the new buildings are being built.

On top of these many unique advantages to the method of modular construction, finished modular buildings are sturdy, well-insulated, high-quality structures that can accomodate the ideal learning environment, and are a huge improvement over the trailer units that price-minded schools have turned to in the past.

Allied Modular itself offers modular educational classrooms that can be configured to meet the needs of any educational program. What’s more, these modular buildings can easily be altered, expanded, or relocated to account for the ever-changing student body of a given school.

As documented here on our modular building blog, this trend is not going to slow down any time soon; in fact there are signs that it is growing tremendously. It is not much of a surprise, considering the revolutionary nature of modular construction and its methods!

Disasters can hit fast and unexpectedly, leaving victims scrambling for resources and shelter in the aftermath. Reconstruction can take time. Temporary solutions can range from flimsy tents that only offer limited protection to dehumanizing and suffocating barracks-type accomodations for mass numbers such as within recreation centers or similar large buildings. 

Luckily, construction technology is always advancing, and today’s modular construction can be used to great advantage, such as providing for a population that finds themselves in the aftermath of a natural disaster.

The great thing about modular construction is that it can provide sturdy and well-insulated buildings for a higher level of comfort all in a short amount of time.  

Modular construction can be used for all sorts of applications to address disaster-related situations, such as a modular bridge to assist with flooding.

Using flexible and efficient modular technology, we can now address even adverse conditions with better construction methods. Rebuilding an office and getting a business back online, or sheltering people affected by a disaster, or even building a bridge can be made all the easier with modular construction. Parts can be manufactured and shipped to the build site and installed much more quickly than with traditional construction methods.

Better living through technology, certainly!

One of the enduring misconceptions that the public has about the modular construction industry is that modular buildings are equal to “trailers” or mobile buildings. Of course, modular buildings can be put on trailers or made into mobile buildings, but that’s besides the point. The point is that the public often sees the term “modular building” as designating only these trailers and mobile buildings.

We see this misconception come up in a story in which President Obama is surprised that public school teachers teach in trailers, or as the article states, “modular buildings.” Now, we are not here to discuss the politics of the situation, but we do want to clarify this “modular building” term that is being used so loosely.

Many people view trailer buildings in a harsh light, seeing as how the buildings are only meant to be temporary and provisional. These buildings tend to be thin-walled and built with lower quality materials to provide cost effectiveness. It is this negative view that can occasionally overshadow the public perception of “modular buildings”.

While it is true that trailer buildings like these were once referred to as modular buildings, and some modular companies do in fact make these trailer type buildings, they no longer represent as a whole the types of buildings that modular construction produces.

Modular construction technology has advanced well beyond the trailer and the old prefabricated houses (of course modular buildings are prefabricated, but the technology and the process are different now). Modular construction is now a rapidly growing industry filled with all sorts of different construction methods and approaches.

Many of these modern modular construction approaches are attempts to streamline and make more efficient the construction of buildings that are meant to be more durable and high quality than the old prefabricated and trailer buildings. Sitting inside these new modular buildings, it is hard to tell that they aren’t traditionally constructed buildings. The walls are thick and well insulated. The construction is solid and durable. But at the same time, the buildings are flexible and easily rearrangeable. With modular buildings, you have the advantage of a sturdiness characteristic of traditionally constructed buildings and at the same time you have the advantage of a flexible, cost effective building that you can easily modify or take with you.

So a modular building is no longer simply a trailer building. It is a building that is built from a type of construction that involves factory fabricated components that can be put together in an almost infinite variety of arrangements. This is the new definition of a modular building that we hope the public will adopt.

Here is another article about the many benefits of using modular construction for your building needs. This article is about the many benefits of modular housing.

It is important to note that modular housing is actually quite different from commercial modular construction in terms of methodology and technique, but there are also many similarities, and share many of the same benefits. It is useful to compare the two fields because they both represent a new emerging pattern of thought in construction.

Modular housing usually consists of prefabricated “modules” that are manufactured in a factory. Unlike our modular building systems however, these modules are usually a complete room or facility or simply a larger piece of the building that is joined to other modules. Our building system, in contrast, consist of prefabricated universal panels and frames that eventually form buildings according to plan.

Housing modules, though different in practice, provide the same benefits that modular commercial construction provides. Housing modules are built indoors away from pesky external conditions such as weather and wear and tear, and so an entire portion of the construction process is streamlined in a factory setting, cutting down on waste, saving time, and minizing chances of damage.  

Commercial modular building systems work a bit differently, in that they are comprised of universal panels that are installed to create flexible buildings, but they offer the same benefits: a reduction in construction time, increased efficiency, waste reduction, and protection from the elements. 

We can see that the  transformation of construction is happening dramatically across industries.

Previously we’ve talked about the growing modular construction industry and how it has opened up new avenues of thinking about construction.

Ever since we have been experiencing troubles with the economy, builders and consumers alike have been looking for a more affordable, efficient alternative to traditional construction.

Modular construction has been growing exponentially in the commercial sector. Businesses have been feeling a financial pinch due to lowered demand in the markets and other unfavorable circumstances, so they’ve been trying to figure out how to cut costs and make their own processes more efficient. Modular construction is not only faster, cost effective, and efficient as compared to traditional construction, but non-invasive and less environmentally intensive due to its factory-manufactured nature.

Modular buildings are manufactured in components in a factory and then assembled on site, cutting down on business downtime. On top of that, modular buildings are highly adaptable and portable, so that businesses can save on construction costs if they need to alter their workplace or even move to another one, which is a must in this increasingly frenetic world economy.

Modular construction is taking off in the housing sector as well. Consumers, due to being strapped for cash and resources, are demanding smaller, easier to maintain, less energy intensive houses that can be built quickly and affordably by modular construction companies.

The building methodology itself is rapidly becoming the dominant mode of construction in many sectors. The construction industry can only benefit from this development. Modular buildings contribute to a faster, more efficient business atmosphere by streamlining the construction process, making it easier for businesses to invest in infrastructure.

Though the economy has been hard on many businesses and consumers, its hardships have definitely pushed innovators everywhere to adapt to a challenging environment, and we will surely be stronger in the long run.

Several more articles have come up pertaining to the increasing modularization of our construction industry. This is a theme we have been talking about for a while now. Simply put, the concept of  modular design is permeating our understanding of manufacturing and construction and the process of building and producing items of utility. The flexibility, adaptability, and efficiency of a modular design is quickly making it the dominant mode of productive thought in this increasingly complex and fast paced society.

The first article has to do with how modular design benefits those looking to build central utility facilities, or facilities that produce utilities such as chilled air, heat, compressed air, and steam for a larger complex like an academic institution or medical complex. The article does a good job of laying out the benefits of modular design, such as increased efficiency and adaptability, while arguing that modular design can help infrastructure development in myriad ways, and consequently our society. The article is of longer length, but well worth a read for those interested in modular design from an engineering perspective.  

The second article deals with the U.S. Navy’s increased demand for the flexibility and adaptability of a modular ship design, explaining how modular ship designs are more efficient and cost effective.

One underlying theme we can take away from reading all of these articles is that the very nature of material change is evolving. Previously, we would have new iterations of a product, making the previous one obsolete and destined for the trash bin. Now, we see that technological change will come through the components themselves, and we can gradually update a building or ship design by replacing older parts over a longer period of time without having to waste all of the energy of throwing something out and building something completely new. By compartmentalizing change itself, we are making our own processes more efficient, and cutting down on unnecessary waste.

Quite a development!

Williams Scotsman, a mobile and modular space company serving the North American region, needed walls for a temporary modular complex to be built in the Washington state Capitol. The building was to serve 64 state legislators and their assistants and staff, and needed to be built within a very short timeframe. Williams Scotsman’s goals regarding the project reflected their characteristic inclinations to high standards: the modular complex was to be completed within a challenging timeline while providing the customer with quality office space that’s cost effective, all of it delivered with exceptional service. In the end, Williams Scotsman decided to go with Allied Modular’s demountable modular wall system. In doing so, Williams Scotsman was able to deliver to their customer a temporary modular complex in the timeframe specified while meeting all of the project goals with ease.   

Initially, Williams Scotsman considered conventional stick-built 2×4 walls for the project, as their initial costs were somewhat lower. However, the company quickly found out that not only were the stick-built walls less time effective, but less cost effective when it came to long term savings. Upon considering modular walls, Williams Scotsman found that modular wall systems can save up to 50% or more over stick-built walls. Also, a modular wall serves as an asset: modular walls can be reused over time due to their flexible nature, whereas stick-built walls often end up in landfills after their initial use. In this light, modular walls are not only cost effective but a smart choice in building sustainable, green buildings. Given these considerations and the fact that modular wall construction would reduce the project’s overall completion time, Williams Scotsman decided to go with Allied Modular’s wall system. The walls would be used to form the enclosed office and conference room spaces to be used by the legislators.

Williams Scotsman’s project was completed on time, thanks in part to the time effective aspects of modular walls. After the project was completed, we asked the company to give us feedback on the crucial aspects of their experience with Allied Modular. First, we asked them how their experience was in working with us. They replied, “The experience was very good. We worked closely with Allied to track actual installation time vs. scheduled time and when progress fell behind Allied’s anticipated schedule they met their commitment by adding additional installers to their crew.” Williams Scotsman was definitely impressed by our Service Beyond Belief philosophy in working with customers. We also asked Williams Scotsman about the most important qualities of the project, i.e. time, cost, look, and if those qualities were delivered upon. What they said was this, “The most important factor was time, followed by quality, appearance, and sound attenuation. Allied’s product and service met the challenge on all four.”

Williams Scotsman also reported that the results of the project exceeded theirs and their customer’s expectations. We are happy that the project went so well.

It is very interesting following the latest developments in skyscraper construction, as the current shift from traditional construction to modular construction is slowly occurring in that sector as well, along with modular’s challenges and benefits. This article illustrates the changing trends quite nicely.

The benefits are similar to the benefits of other types of modular construction. Advocates are claiming as much as 50% in cost savings. For a project as involved as skyscraper construction, this could amount to huge savings for sure. There is also the fact that modular construction uses less labor and is more time/energy effective. Modules are manufactured in a factory, then transported to the site, where they are lifted on top of one another and secured by cranes. Cost savings also allow the builder to construct affordable housing for middle to low income families.

One of the unique challenges pertaining to skyscraper construction is the question of sturdiness. As a building grows in height, more sophisticated supports and anti-seismic technologies are required to ensure that the building is sturdy. Human ingenuity will definitely meet these challenges while cutting costs, improving quality, and saving time and energy.

We applaud modular technology in all its forms, and its growing acceptance in the world of construction. Here’s to our skyscraper-building friends!

We’ve talked about the efficiency of modular construction in general terms. How it saves on labor and energy and resource costs. But what we often don’t think about are the many more subtle ways you save time, money, and effort by manufacturing modules instead of engaging in hard construction.

Think about construction crews for instance. Depending on how well the project is planned, how materials are managed and what stores of materials the construction crew will have ready at the site, minor mistakes can be smoothed over or they can cause huge delays and efficiencies.

For example, many construction crews run their workers back and forth from hardware stores, plumbing supply depots, and lumber yards as they need more materials, especially if changes need to be made or there are miscalculations on required materials.

This can be highly time consuming, especially if adjustments need to be made in a rural area where potential supply outlets can be miles and miles away. These sorts of inefficiencies can account for more working hours, gas being used up as workers make supply runs, materials being wasted, plans being altered, resulting in demolished sections, really anything.

With modular construction, all of the planning and manufacturing happens at one site, in a controlled factory setting. Everything is planned out advance, and then the manufactured modules are brought to the build site, usually in one trip, where they are cleanly installed and then the project is done. Through planning and controlled manufacturing, many of the errors that can arise during the course of hard construction simply dissolve in this case, ceasing to be possibilities. Of course, mistakes can be made anywhere really; but with modular construction, a mistake can be found and corrected much more quickly and efficiently, especially considering the nature of the module itself.

Modular buildings can be taken apart or expanded at will, without the need for demolishing, due to the flexibility of the building’s components.

It is one thing to make processes more efficient through planning and streamlining and coordinating, but modular construction achieves a new plateau of efficient construction by completely altering the methods of construction themselves.

Expect more of these hidden efficiencies to start popping up and giving us pleasant surprises.

Our national public education system took a nasty blow after the recession. States cut funding and school budgets shrank to levels lower than they already were.

These are complex problems we are facing, and I can’t claim to have all the answers, but when it comes to construction and cost-saving methods, we do have one compelling suggestion on how to ease the burden on a small school budget, especially if the school is facing overcrowding problems.

In the past, many schools resorted to those awful  trailers (we called them portables) they used to line up to function as extra classrooms.  These trailers were usually intended as temporary solutions and many schools simply relied on them for permanent use. My own school used these trailers and I often had classes in them. The floors and walls were thin and the air inside the building was stale. The air conditioning was inefficient. To say the least I didn’t enjoy this learning environment as a teenager.

Thanks to advances in modular construction, it is now possible to build affordable, efficient modular classrooms. These buildings are of a higher quality than the trailers and are well-insulated, lending to a quality learning environment.  They install cleanly and quickly, so they function well for temporary solutions, but the buildings themselves are sturdy and robust like a traditionally constructed building, so the school could easily use the building indefinitely.

Modular buildings, as we have mentioned before, are made out of recyclable materials and are reusable. The buildings are more energy efficient as well, cutting down on costs. Schools can rearrange their modular classrooms if they have further uses for it, and save on their budgets in the meantime.

Many in the housing industry have claimed modular construction can usher the damaged housing market back into business, due to increased efficiency and lowered costs. The problems with our public education may stretch beyond mere economics, but it certainly is a good start, especially for those feeling the budget shock.