As the world continues to evolve and change, so, too, does the way we build and construct the spaces where we live and work. From the earliest days of mud huts to the buildings of today, humanity has always sought out new and innovative ways to create functional, durable, and attractive structures. One construction method, that has increasingly gained attention in recent years, is modular building. The positive impacts of this method on the construction industry cannot be understated. The impact of modular building has the potential to significantly shape the future of the industry.
What is Modular Construction?
Modular building involves creating a structure or building offsite, using standardized, pre-engineered modules. These modules are manufactured in a factory setting. Once done, these modules are then shipped to the construction site and assembled on-site to create a finished building.
Brief History of Modular Construction
Not many realize that modular construction has been around for more than two centuries. The impact of modular building was first witnessed in the early 1800s. Henry Manning created the first known advertisement for a prefabricated home. Sears started distributing their catalog of prefabricated buildings in 1908 and, by the 1930s, had sold over half a million modular homes.
Modular building gained popularity after World War II when the demand for housing and places of work exceeded the capabilities of traditional construction methods. It provided a fast and efficient solution to meet this demand.
Challenges of Traditional Construction
There are numerous challenges facing the construction industry today. For instance, traditional construction can be time-consuming, as it typically involves multiple stages such as design, planning, procurement, and execution. This can result in delays and missed deadlines. It can also be expensive due to the high cost of labor, materials, and equipment cost. The traditional construction can be inefficient and risky. It can also be slow since it is prone to cost overruns due to unexpected site conditions and changes in the scope of work.
Traditional construction often causes many negative impacts on the environment. These impacts can result from the heavy use of diesel construction equipment, and transportation of heavy materials and labor. The construction industry alone is responsible for almost 39 percent of the world’s carbon emissions.
Another key factor is the waste production — almost 56 million tons of unused materials, such as wood, steel, cement, etc., go to waste each year.
Benefits of Modular Building
Not only does modular construction address many of the challenges and issues that are common in traditional construction, but it also has additional advantages that make it an attractive option for many projects. Some of the key benefits of modular construction include the following:
· Faster construction and cost-effective
Modular buildings can be constructed more quickly than traditional ones, as the manufacturing process can occur concurrently with site preparation. Modular building can be more cost-effective than traditional construction, as the factory-controlled environment can result in fewer delays and cost overruns. In addition, the use of standardized components can lead to economies of scale and reduced material costs.
Since modular construction can be more efficient and faster than traditional construction, this can be particularly beneficial in urban areas where land is scarce and demand for new buildings is high.
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Safety
The construction industry is infamous for being one of the most dangerous workplaces. Work-related fatalities due to falls, slips, and trips increased 5.6 percent in 2021, from 805 fatalities in 2020 to 850 in 2021. Falls, slips, and trips in construction and extraction occupations accounted for 370 of these fatalities in 2021, and an increase of 7.2 percent from 2020 when there were 345 fatalities (National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2021). Modular construction presents a solution since the manufacturing process takes place in a controlled factory environment rather than on a construction site, little to no workplace accidents are anticipated.
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High-quality standards
Modular buildings are built to the same standards as traditional ones and can be as durable and long-lasting. In fact, modular construction can result in a higher level of quality, as the controlled factory environment allows for more precise construction and less exposure to the elements.
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Sustainability
There is no doubt the impact of modular construction is prevalent in terms of sustainability. One of these benefits is reduced carbon emissions by eliminating most transportation needs since everything takes place in a factory. Modular construction uses excess material to make frames, roofs, and siding. This building’s nature permits the repurposing and recycling of excess materials.
Integrating solar panels into modular buildings will reduce carbon emissions over the lifetime of the building. On average, a simple solar setup can prevent the emission of 2.5 tons of carbon dioxide per year. This helps to make modular buildings more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
How modular construction is going to fit into the future
There has long been a need for a shift in the construction industry. As the world continues to evolve, the construction industry needs to do so to keep up with the changing needs of society. Modular construction has the potential to move the industry away from its traditional, labor-intensive methods and towards a more modern, factory-based approach similar to those used in other manufacturing industries. Some people may resist this change and prefer the traditional building, but others may welcome the improvements that modular construction can bring.
The business case for modular building should be as easy as it was for the automotive industry as Tom Hardiman, Executive Director of the Modular Building Institute, stated in an interview for Forbes, “No one would question how we build cars today. It would be comical to have all the parts delivered to your driveway with a dozen workers to build it… Yet we build our homes, schools, and offices in this inefficient and wasteful manner every day.”
Aries Leads the Way
Aries is leading the way in promoting the impact of modular building to the masses. Their innovative products are of the highest quality, and their leadership team is second to none. Aries is positioning itself at the forefront of the modular building industry. They will remain a leader in this field for many years to come. The impact of their efforts will last for a long time, shaping the future of construction.
About Aries:
Aries is a privately-owned company with an extensive range of industries and applications across the United States and Canada. We specialize in a full-service modular building provider of containers, rentals, mobile classrooms, workforce housing, and custom modular buildings.
The key to our successful business is our consistent delivery of exceptional service, dependability, and innovation. Lastly, Aries promotes a philosophy of achieving together by learning from our clients and ensuring mutually rewarding results and outcomes.
Contact Aries today: www.ariesbuildings.com or call (U.S.) 1-888-598-8869.