The 5 Industries That Benefit the Most from Modular Buildings
Modular commercial buildings are available in many configurations, sizes, and designs, making them suitable for use in many commercial and industrial settings. Because they are constructed from prefabricated units off-site, then transported and installed at their final destination, they are an efficient alternative to traditional construction. This enables fast turnaround time, reduces disruptions to normal operations, and keeps building costs down.
These types of structures are also subject to International Building Code requirements, along with all applicable local, state, or federal regulations, making them safe for many of the same purposes as conventional buildings and structures. What’s more, because most of the fabrication happens in a controlled factory environment, each module is subject to quality inspections for safety and proper construction. As a result, they are widely used by businesses and organizations as a way to expand space for daily operations.
Here, we’ll look at five industries that benefit from modular buildings and structures in many ways.
Industries
Modular buildings and structures are frequently used in the following industry facilities:
Medical and Healthcare
Modular healthcare buildings can be used on large main campuses or smaller satellite facilities to improve access to medical care. They can also be outfitted with utility hookups, generators, and layouts tailored for healthcare use. Examples include:
- Emergency Medical Care. Modular buildings can be used to quickly house departments or offices for temporary use, such as during renovations, natural disaster relief programs, or community health initiatives like testing or vaccination.
- Temporary Housing and Medical Facilities. Patients or staff can be housed safely and without disruptions in modular buildings during the construction of larger facilities or as part of a hospital expansion.
- Hospitals. Offices, specialized care centers, and critical wings in hospitals can be housed for short- or long-term periods in modular buildings.
Educational Facilities
Many educational organizations benefit from fast, affordable modular buildings for offices, students, and storage that prevent shutdowns or disruptions to learning year-round. Examples include:
- Schools and Universities. Modular classrooms can help accommodate more students or reduce class sizes, provide space for special programs or extracurricular activities, or house offices.
- Commercial Learning Centers. Companies that provide tutoring and test prep services, as well as corporate training centers, can use modular buildings to provide dedicated space for teaching, educational and training materials, and test taking.
- Libraries. Modular structures can provide space for classrooms, community meeting rooms, staff offices and departments, or even storage.
Disaster Relief Organizations
When natural disasters strike, it’s critical to provide access to safe shelter for local residents, as well as office and prep space for relief workers. Because they are fast to construct, modular buildings help rapid response efforts get underway, ensuring a safe space for workers and residents and secure storage for supplies. Examples include:
- Temporary Clinics. Modular buildings can be used to provide reliable local access to healthcare, especially if routes to larger medical facilities are blocked or unsafe.
- Food Banks and Supply Stations. Modular buildings can be used as secure and protective storage and distribution centers for emergency supplies and donations.
- Headquarters and Offices. Modular structures can be installed quickly at a central location near the disaster area, giving residents and volunteers a place to gather and distribute information.
- Housing, Restrooms, and Temporary Accommodations. Single-family or group temporary dwelling spaces can be designed and constructed in a short amount of time.
Manufacturing
The manufacturing industry continues to evolve, adopting more automation and computerized equipment for better production, quality control, and safety. As factory floors, materials, and storage needs change, manufacturers turn to modular buildings for many reasons, including:
- Structures Dedicated to Specific Products or Processes. Companies can build dedicated space for manufacturing certain product lines, types of equipment, or specific operations like welding, painting, or packaging.
- Controlled Manufacturing Conditions. Specific requirements for lighting, temperature, humidity, or levels of cleanliness can be easier and less expensive to design and build modularly than through retrofitting existing buildings. Prefabricated guard booths can also provide added security for some industries.
- Creating Office, Training, and Meeting Space. As a company grows, it may be necessary to build office spaces that are separate from work areas to reduce noise, dust or dirt, and to expand available production or client meeting space.
- Storage. Modular buildings are a durable and secure choice for storing materials, product inventory, packaging supplies, and equipment.
Workforce Housing
In industries like mining, oil and gas, agriculture, construction in remote areas, and others, employees may be required to stay at the job site and away from home for days at a time, or longer. In cases like these, companies can provide safe, comfortable temporary housing for workers with modular buildings. These structures can be configured to accommodate multiple workers during non-work hours, including spaces for bathrooms, food preparation, dining, recreation, and relaxation. Some features of modular workforce housing are:
- Highly efficient use of space to house a few to dozens of workers.
- Scalability as needs change.
- Communal and private washroom facilities.
- Spacious and comfortable bedrooms.
- Recreational facilities.
- Kitchens.
- Offices.
- Laundry facilities.
Contact the Experts at Speed Space
A well-designed, high-quality modular building can help many types of organizations repurpose their existing facilities, expand services, or meet temporary needs. Speed Space designs and manufactures custom modular buildings and structures for a variety of uses across industries. As a leader in commercial modular construction, we can fabricate simple or complex designs configured for your specific application.
Learn more about our products, including one- and two-story buildings, lab and medical spaces, restrooms and locker rooms, guard booths, and more on our website. Ready to get started? Request a quote to discuss your facility and operational goals.
