What is Modular Construction?

Modular Construction Defined

Modular construction, or offsite construction, is a method of construction that relies on the components being assembled in a factory under controlled conditions and then being finalised on-site. The initial process is also referred to as off-site manufacture for construction or OSM.

It's a practice that was lesser-used a decade ago, but has become more commonplace as housing shortages have taken hold in the U.S., UK, and many other regions. In fact, Yahoo Finance predicts that modular construction will have a global worth of around $155 billion by 2031, and could play a big role in creating affordable homes over that time. 

1. Quicker Turnaround

One advantage of offsite construction is that the time on site is minimised and therefore a project’s length can be reduced. If done correctly, this means subcontractors won’t have to wait around for another subcontractor to finish their tasks on the build. By their very nature, these builds are efficient, meticulously planned, and usually utilise modern technology to ensure there aren’t any delays once construction does begin on the final site.

Due to a larger proportion of the project being completed in a factory setting, it is less likely to be delayed due to adverse weather conditions — something all too common on UK building sites thanks to the great British weather. Although this is something often factored into construction insurance, it nevertheless causes a ripple effect of delays that can affect far beyond the root project.

2. More Sustainable

According to UK organization The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), up to 67% less energy is required to produce a modular building compared to a traditionally built building from start to finish. Also, modular projects being completed quicker means energy usage is reduced at the project site.

WRAP also predicts up to a 90% reduction in materials can be achieved through the use of modular construction. By the nature of modular buildings, many can be disassembled and moved elsewhere at a future date. This means they’re durable, reusable and contribute to a cyclical method of construction that aims to minimise waste.

3. Repeatable Quality

Anything that has human involvement is inevitably prone to mistakes — this can’t ever be completely eradicated. However, by reducing the amount of construction that is undertaken on-site, more of the checks can be carried out in a factory setting and therefore improve first-time quality on items.

When this is paired with a field productivity and quality tool, such as Viewpoint’s Field View solution, this culture of first-time quality and accountability can be easily carried through a project. Construction is changing dramatically, and the opportunity for contractors to work alongside technology could give them an exciting advantage when it comes to delivering repeatable quality for its customers and the end-users.

What are the three types of modular construction?

Modular construction can come in many forms and varieties, but the three most common are 2D panels, 3D modules, and hybrid modular construction.

Using Modular Construction to Solve Housing Shortages

In Portland, Oregon, the Hacienda Community Development Corporation (HCDC)—a nonprofit organization heading up a new housing project—called the Mass Casitas Project has taken to using modular homes to try to create more affordable housing. This project aims to create sustainable modular housing out of Oregon mass timber, reutilizing one of Oregon’s most abundant natural resources to solve one of the state’s most significant problems. With Oregon currently grappling with the third-highest rate of homelessness in the country and skyrocketing housing prices (made worse by recent wildfires), the Mass Casitas Project seeks to make a meaningful impact by harnessing the potential of modular housing. These modular homes will be available for workforce housing, home-challenged individuals, and those affected by wildfires.

This innovative approach—modular construction not only proves to be highly cost-effective but also significantly faster than traditional methods—enables swift responses to housing crises. If their prototype homes perform well, Mass Casitas could potentially produce two to five houses a day, a rate that would help reduce housing pressures far more quickly than traditional home building.