Entering the vaulted atrium of a sophisticated skyrise, you might not guess that much of the building was actually built somewhere else. But this is a common and highly expedient approach to the construction of hotels, medical facilities, and many other kinds of commercial buildings in the U.S.
Modular construction is a popular building technique that employs factory-built units. Is often associated with the residential industry. However, from a design-build as well as construction standpoint, there are many benefits to this approach in the commercial sector, as well, which is why its use keeps expanding each year.
Increased Efficiency
With modular construction projects, whole rooms can arrive one by one fully built to their final destination. This allows multiple stages of your project to happen at once. While floors one and two may be built on site, three, four and five can be constructed simultaneously in a factory setting. Upon delivery they will be unwrapped and eventually stacked on top of one another like building blocks – a much faster process than if everything is built from scratch on site.
Faster Delivery Times = Shorter Timelines
Because modular construction is factory-built, rooms can arrive fully or mostly constructed, with some furniture, fixtures and equipment already in place. Take a look at the trendy and spacious AC Marriott NULU in downtown Louisville. This recent W. A. RANDOLPH, INC. project was able to shrink the typical timeline by about two and a half months thanks to the shipment of many individual modules, which would eventually become hotel rooms.
Lower Labor Costs, Less Waste Than On-Site Construction
Once on site, they are unloaded and stacked in place rapidly, leading to lower overall labor costs. Being created indoors tends to provide a better work environment than the usual process which is subject to weather events and other unexpected issues. While reducing downtime, this highly standardized approach also results in less material waste in the production of units.
According to the Modular Building Institute, “the manufacturing process for modular buildings allows for more accurate material estimates, reducing over-ordering and excess use. This careful management of resources contributes to a reduction in the environmental impact associated with material extraction and processing.” This can result in “material savings of up to 20%.”
Quality Control
Achieving consistently high standards is of the utmost importance in the construction industry. Because parts of these buildings are created indoors in a climate-controlled environment, there can be more uniformity of space and structure than when built outdoors in the elements. Such qualities are essential to the integrity of hotels, hospitals and office buildings.
Off-Site Construction is Easier on Workers
Modular construction is just one example of custom prefab that is on the rise around the globe. It can be provided for just about any type of commercial use, provided there are standardized rooms within the building. It may have begun with more limited architectural styles available, but that is changing. At NOLO, all of its rooms were constructed in a warehouse in Pennsylvania and shipped to Kentucky.
Less Impact on Surrounding Neighbors
While modular construction is not feasible for every type of building, it means that parts may arrive with some plumbing and electrical rough-in and much of the interior finishes intact. Surrounding neighbors appreciate the cut down on noise pollution and shorter construction cycle.
A Commercial Contractor with a History of Success in the Midwest
There are many advantages to handling aspects of a commercial construction project off-site. Despite the efficiencies listed above, a variety of systems will need to be integrated, and that’s where we come in. A contractor you can trust should be equipped to oversee numerous steps necessary to complete the project on site:
- Façade work
- Corridor areas
- Mechanical work
- Electrical installations
- Plumbing systems
Contact W. A. RANDOLPH, INC. online, or call us at 847-856-0123 to get started on your next construction project. Our team of experts in modular construction will work with you to ensure that the end result meets your demands.
