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WHAT IS
MODULAR CONSTRUCTION?

Modular construction is not a new concept. In fact, it has been around for over 100 years. However, more and more owners, architects, contractors and developers are discovering the unique opportunities that modular construction presents. In addition to offering stunning, sophisticated buildings and structures, modular provides major construction benefits in today’s market:

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  • Faster

  • Greener 

  • Smarter 

  • Safer 

  • Higher quality 

  • Less disruptive 

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However, MODLOGIQ’s Smart Off-Site Construction goes above and beyond to deliver more:

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  • Cost Certainty  

  • Schedule Acceleration 

  • Least Site Impact

  • Superior Quality  

  • Greater Sustainability 

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FOLLOW THE LOGIQ. Discover more about modular construction and how MODLOGIQ’s Smart Off-Site Construction delivers the next logical step in the evolution of modular, off-site construction:

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MODULAR CONSTRUCTION
DEFENITION

Modular construction is the process of building the majority of a structure off-site as individual modules. These modules are constructed at efficient manufacturing facilities that feature controlled environments, reliable workforce, and established supply chains. When completed, the modules are transported to the final site and installed on prepared infrastructure (foundation, crawl space, pad, podium, utility connects, etc.). There are two major types of modular construction:

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Today, commercial modular construction is employed in virtually every type of industry and application:

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  • Assisted Living/Senior Housing

  • Daycare 

  • Energy 

  • Government

  • Health Care

  • Higher Education

  • Hospitality

  • Industrial 

  • Manufacturing

  • Mining

  • Office

  • Residential 

  • Retail 

  • Security

  • Schools

  • Student Housing

  • Transportation

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Interestingly, modular construction and its industrialized construction processes have seen much more widespread adoption in Australia, China, Japan, Singapore, Sweden, and U.K. than in the U.S.

MODULAR CONSTRUCTION
BENEFITS

The list below details key modular construction benefits. MODLOGIQ’s Smart Off-Site Construction delivers all these and more with the next logical step in the evolution of modular, off-site construction:

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  • Faster. Construction at the off-site manufacturing facility takes place at the same time as site work (foundation, parking, etc.). This allows projects to be completed in about half the time of conventional site-built construction. Also, weather delays are virtually eliminated because up to 90% of the construction work is completed inside the modular manufacturing facility under dry, controlled conditions. In addition, an in-place labor force and established materials supply chain avoid scheduling disruptions that can cause delays. 

  • Greener. Off-site construction allows significantly higher levels of recycling, minimizing landfill impact. Further, materials are protected from weather, so there’s less spoilage and waste…and better quality. Also, with operations taking place at a centralized facility, greenhouse gas emissions are reduced. Workers don’t have to drive as far and materials are shipped more efficiently (for example, by rail instead of by truck). Finally, modular construction makes it easier to build more energy efficient structures, bringing a higher degree of sustainability to the entire life cycle of the building (not just the build). 

  • Smarter. Modular construction technology like Building Information Modeling (BIM) lends itself to greater efficiency, better planning, tighter integration, and easier collaboration. And because modular buildings use built with to the same building codes and architectural specifications as traditional construction and use the same materials, they are virtually indistinguishable from site-built equivalents. Most importantly, the controlled conditions at an off-site manufacturing facility provide a safer work environment and make accidents much less likely.  

  • Stronger. In general, modular buildings are structurally stronger than site-built construction. Why? Because each module is designed, engineered, and built to handle the rigors of transportation and installation. Modules become a single integrated wall, floor, and roof structure once assembly is completed. 

  • Safer. This benefit is especially important when it comes to additions, remodels or expansions of existing facilities that must remain open and operational. With up to 90% of the actual work taking place off-site, construction hazards, traffic, noise, dust, and disruptions are dramatically reduced. At the same time, safety and security at the site are much better.   

MODULAR CONSTRUCTION
vs. CONVENTIONAL

The schedule comparison below highlights the key difference between off-site modular construction and conventional, site-built construction:

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  • With modular, fabrication of modules occurs before or at the same time that site prep takes place. This means the building is up to 85% complete when the foundation, crawl space, or pad is ready. On the other hand, with conventional construction, you can only start building AFTER the foundation, crawl space, or pad is ready. What that means in practical terms: 

 

  • 4-story, 100,000 square foot hospital = nearly 1.5 years of schedule savings

  • 2-story, 20,000 square foot student housing = about 9 months of schedule savings

  • 1-story, 2,000 square foot drive-thru QSR = almost 5 months of schedule savings 

 

MODLOGIQ’s Smart Off-Site Construction enhances this inherent timing advantage with the next logical step in the evolution of modular, off-site construction:

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PERMANENT vs. RELOCATABLE 
MODULAR CONSTRUCTION

Modular construction is well suited for a number of use cases: 

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  • Permanent modular construction (PMC). This innovative, sustainable construction method employs off-site manufacturing of prefabricated modules that are deployed in whole building solutions (single- or multi-story). Modules can be assembled as standalone structures that incorporate MEP, fixtures, and exterior and interior finishes. Or modules can be integrated into existing structures or into hybrid site-built/modular construction projects. Either way, permanent modular construction offers better overall results in less time.  

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  • Relocatable buildings (RB). These partially or completely assembled buildings are purpose built to be reused multiple times and transported to different sites. The most common applications are temporary classrooms, emergency shelters, and other applications where there is a need for safe, secure, temporary space. In addition to rapid delivery schedules, relocatable buildings also enjoy accelerated depreciation schedules.

RELOCATABLE MODULAR CONSTRUCTION COSTS 

SMART OFF-SITE CONSTRUCTION offers the advantage of both relocatable modular construction and permanent modular construction. For example, the Harvard University Life Science Lab pictured above delivers structural steel strength plus 4" concrete floors capable of supporting life science wet lab operations and equipment. Yet, it is designed and purpose-built to be disassembled and moved to another location to accommodate Harvard's long-term planning that envisions the current site to be re-purposed for other use. 

 

Relocatable modular construction can also provide additional advantages to site-built construction.

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  • Reduced capital costs. Relocatable modular buildings are typically deployed in common-use applications. For example, they’re popular for ticket booths, security check points, equipment enclosures, parking garage kiosks, storage units, transit shelters, warehouse offices and more. Standardization of sizes and construction methods combined with reduced need for customization means they can typically be designed, built, and installed much more cost-effectively than site-built structures. In addition, the reduced time frame from initial design to final deployment means shorter loan terms and faster time to revenue and/or operational benefits.

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  • Reduced operating costs. In settings that are temporary or changing, relocatable modular buildings are easily repurposed or reused. For example, at the completion of a project, a relocatable modular building can be easily and cost-effectively moved to the next project site. Or if a manufacturing plant expands its production lines, additional modular office space can be quickly and inexpensively added with relocatable modular buildings. 

MODULAR CONSTRUCTION 
BUDGETS & COSTS 

MODLOGIQ’s Smart Off-Site Construction process delivers distinct advantages in comparison to both traditional modular construction costs and site-built costs: 

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  • Initial construction costs. The earlier in the process that MODLOGIQ gets involved, the greater efficiencies we can bring to the design, manufacturing, and installation of your project. While we strive to deliver modular buildings at a lower cost, the key differentiator of our Smart Off-Site Construction methodology is cost-certainty. Our end-to-end approach includes modular design optimization, unique "build together" preassembly, and custom installation and attachment methods that prevents cost overruns due to installation delays or expensive on-site remediation. The result? You can be completely confident that your budget and ROI projections will be met.  

 

 

  • Application/use. MODLOGIQ’s extensive library of prefabricated buildings and shipping container buildings helps you cost-effectively deploy standard-use structures like modular car rental kiosks, stadium press boxes, arena/venue ticket booths, parking garage kiosks, transit shelters, warehouse offices, and many other applications. Our design team can help you “optimize” your design to produce and install your building much more efficiently than by building on site. 

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  • Relocation flexibility (for non-permanent installations). MODLOGIQ’s has more than 39 years of experience with modular buildings specifically designed to be non-permanent. From temporary classrooms to equipment storage buildings, our deep expertise gives owners an edge when it comes to both cost and usability. 

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DOWNLOAD FREE Off-Site Construction Checklist
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7 PRE-CONSTRUCTION STRATEGIES FOR BUILDING OFF-SITE USING PERMANENT MODULAR CONSTRUCTION & HOW TO IMPLEMENT THEM.

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