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When most people think of modular construction or prefabricated buildings, they think of it as a short-term solution. For example, last year at the Super Bowl XLV, 90 temporary offices were built in the vicinity of the Cowboys stadium in Arlington, TX. These portable temporary offices allowed efficient space for incoming staff.

And when the big game was over, the structures were easily dissembled and removed. Just like these modular offices at last year’s Super Bowl, many schools, office buildings, and hospitals will take advantage of temporary facilities to supplement space while their businesses or properties are growing.

Rewards of permanent modular construction

But the same principals of temporary modular construction can be applied in a more permanent fashion. With a rise in the modular building trend, first in Europe and now in the U.S., contractors, developers, architects, and end users are reaping the benefits of the more permanent forms of modular construction.

Due to considerable advancements in building processes and engineering technology over the last decade, modular construction professionals can simultaneously grade, level, and lay the foundation of a property while constructing the modular units of a residential house or commercial building offsite in a factory. These engineering advancements have allowed modular construction professionals to cut costs by increasing efficiency in the building process, without sacrificing quality.

Modular construction is not about cubes and oblong boxes. This is Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. It's a modular building designed to fit in with surrounding architecture, in an academic setting. (image courtesy of ModSpace)

Less impact on site, still as structurally sound

In all actuality, today’s permanent modular buildings are just as structurally sound (if not more so than conventionally-constructed buildings) all while remaining more cost-effective and having less impact on the environment. Modular units, constructed in the factory setting are protected from the elements and constructed by practiced professionals who exemplify efficiency learned through a repeatable design and perfecting that design with consistent production. These units are built for structural soundness and durability, as well as style and design.

Unlike their temporary counterparts, they can be more than just large rectangles, and they don’t have wheels and axles for transportation. Permanent modular units are built tough to survive transport and assembly. Once assembled on the foundation site, workers add the finishing touches of seamless siding, stylish finishes, and clean landscaping all with minimal disturbance to the surrounding area.

Having completed the foundation and construction simultaneously, assembly is quick and efficient, making the business or residence ready for use in nearly half the time as traditional onsite construction, but still just as durable.

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Thanks, Jeff.

Jeff Dusing writes on behalf of ModSpace, a provider of portable office and modular building solutions for temporary or permanent space needs. ModSpace has 80 branch locations across the U.S. and Canada, and offers solutions to suit your building needs such as mobile storage units, used office trailers, and even green modular buildings. 

Cheers,

Rob.