Did you know that prefabricated buildings date back to the 1600s? Settlements moved all over Cape Ann, and just a couple of centuries later a pre-fabricated hospital was so easy to build, it was relocated to various places within the West Indies- wherever it was needed. In the 1900s, the first pre-fab apartments were built. Post WWII, they became much more popular as an efficient and cost-effective way to rebuild. Today, modular buildings are much more commonplace and versatile. But why is the sway towards pre-fabrication such a positive move for the future of construction?

Get it Done Faster

Modular buildings are built off-site, meaning reduced lead time and factory-controlled quality. Once the modules are built, it’s a much quicker process to get them on site, fitted together and ready to use compared to traditional construction methods. In 2015, a 57-storey tower was erected in just 19 days. The modules themselves took just four months to complete and each one would have been exactly the same and built to exacting standards in a controlled environment. Efficient, indeed.

Less Cost

Traditional construction is filled with frustrating bureaucracy. Between architects, multiple contractors and employers’ disputes, additional costs can pile up higher and higher depending on a variety of factors on the construction site. Modular construction is refreshingly simple in comparison. It’s all about choosing the right module for the type of building required, then letting the professionals build it to the highest standards. This helps to avoid any costly hold-ups or nasty surprises.

Better for the Environment

Fabrication of modular buildings takes place completely off site. There are no weeks of noise and dust causing complaints from locals or nearby businesses. There are no schedules and rotas to look after. There is no planning of logistics for transporting all the building materials to and from site. The team that builds the modules looks after everything, and only when the modules are ready to be put together, do they appear on site. This makes them so much better for the local environment and ecosystem.

They’re also better for the global environment, because pre-fabricated modules tend to produce less waste, create less pollution and have a much lower carbon footprint. This means they don’t contribute as negatively towards climate change- something we all need to be taking seriously right now.

Pre-fabricated buildings can be used for everything from schools to hotels, health centres to cabinet offices; even cinemas. As time goes on, the modular construction industry will only become more innovative. It’s the future, and we’re proud to be a part of it.