Modern Applications of Modular Structures
In recent years, modular construction technologies have risen to the forefront of the building industry. Modular construction offers several advantages over standard building methods, such as a decrease in overall construction time, a more consistent quality of build, and financial savings. These reasons have led many institutions to opt for modular construction when building modern facilities.
What Larger Structures Can Be Built Using Modular Units?
With cities continuing to expand across the globe, many companies are looking toward modular construction as the most efficient way to build multi-storied buildings:
Skyscrapers
Modular technologies allow builders to construct individual portions of a building structure away from the site where the building will stand. By constructing the skyscraper off-site, builders are better able to control the construction methods, while also keeping environmental factors from compromising the building process.
Many cities in China use modular construction for their skyscrapers. In 2013, the country was preparing to construct the tallest building in the world called “Sky City” using this method. It is estimated that the building, which would have stood more than 2,000 feet (838 meters), would have only taken 90 days to complete because of the efficiency of modular construction.
Unfortunately, construction of this skyscraper never came to fruition; however, a 57-story skyscraper called “Mini Sky City” was erected in Changsha, China in just under three weeks. You can view the time lapse video from the Wall Street Journal below:
Apartments
An ever-increasing number of apartment complexes are being constructed using modular building methods. A major reason that developers are implementing modular construction in building apartments is the flexibility that it offers regarding building size. Building an apartment complex using separate components allows developers to make dimension changes more easily.
Dormitories
Universities have taken notice of the advantages that modular construction offers, and thus, many dormitories are now being built using this method. Since they are very similar to apartment buildings, many of the same advantages of modular construction exist for universities, such as financial savings and added flexibility.
Also, many universities are choosing modular construction because it reduces the size of the overall construction site. And because the components are fabricated off-site then transported to the building site, there is less damage and interference with the surrounding area.
Housing for the Homeless
Modular construction methods are also being implemented in homeless shelter development. Often homeless shelters have to be built on a limited budget, and therefore efficient spending is the top priority. By using modular building techniques, cities can take funds that would have been spent on standard construction, and instead increase the size of the shelter.
It is no surprise that many developers are now choosing modular construction technologies over more standard building practices. The increased availability of control, such as avoiding environmental hazards, more customizable dimension, and optimal building methods, in addition to significant costs savings, make modular construction well worth considering for any building project.
