MBABC Why Modular

WHY MODULAR CONSTRUCTION?

Clients in industry, business and government are discovering the advantages of modular construction over traditional on-site building. From British Columbia to China to Chile; from work camps in the harshest conditions, to elegant townhomes in resort areas or schools in remote villages; the strengths of modular design and building enhance a wide variety of projects.

The most obvious advantages are time and costs savings, relocatability, and expandability. However, especially with the recent ‘leaky condo’ problems, the far greater quality control that is possible in modular construction is an increasingly important factor in clients’ construction choices. As well, with today’s growing awareness of the natural environment and of disruption to neighbours from large construction projects, the minimal disruption and noise and substantially decreased on-site time of modular construction are great factors in its favour.

Modular construction provides considerable potential saving in costs and time due to such factors as allowing simultaneous site preparation and module construction, and reducing vulnerability to weather conditions that may slow or stop traditional construction. In the latter respect it is invaluable in the far north and other extreme environments. Relocatability and expandability save money by allowing the reuse or easy extension of structures that have served their purpose or been outgrown. These benefits are the base upon which today’s modular industry has been built. In addition its other strengths are now becoming apparent.

Quality control in modular building is one of its greatest assets. Unlike traditional construction in which both materials and workers are subject to all sorts of weather during the construction process, the modular unit is constructed under strictly controlled conditions. Kiln dried materials are kept and used in dry, temperate conditions, eliminating twisting, warping, and associated waste and/or poor quality finish. Workers are able to give their consistent best to the job at hand, aided by good visibility and a clean, efficiently designed working environment.

Environmental factors are of increasing concern as well, and here modular construction shines once again. With the bulk of work being done off-site, noise and disruption are much less than in traditional construction. Traffic through adjoining areas, whether residential neighbourhood or remote wilderness, is kept to a minimum. This too can contribute to time and money savings as the construction schedule is not constrained by noise bylaws, etc.

A little different from the primarily non-residential work of most of our members, the Mountain Trails Townhomes project (by Shelter Industries Inc.), in Pemberton, B.C., was designed as a modular project to take advantage of many of these factors. The St. Pius X school (Britco Structures Inc.) in North Vancouver is another example of modular building chosen for its unique advantages and also proving that beauty need not be sacrificed for efficiency: it has won several industry awards since its completion, including the Modular Building Institute’s 1997 Awards of Distinction Best of Show (from over 250 entries) and an honourable mention in the Vancouver Regional Construction Association Awards of Excellence Program.