Modular Construction: A Cost-Effective and Eco-Friendly Way of Constructing Buildings

With the increasing advancement in technologies, the construction industry adopted various new trends of construction which have the potential to revolutionize the entire industry. Modular construction is one of the current trends in the construction industry which is not only gaining popularity due to influential technologies in the construction industry but also benefitting various other industries.

Modular construction involves making prefabricated buildings at off-site factories and then transporting them to an on-site location for final installation. This innovative concept of construction enhances on-site efficiency, labor productivity, and safety, lower construction costs, and most importantly, it has a major role in providing opportunities for more eco-friendly designs and allows a step ahead for environmental perseverance. There are two types of modular buildings, namely, permanent and re-locatable modular buildings. Though in both types, the prefabricated buildings are constructed off-site, however, they vary in application, size, and purposes.

Technically, modular construction includes the procedure of raising buildings that consist of individual prefabricated sections, known as modules. These modules are built off-site under controlled plant conditions and multiple in numbers depending upon the design of the building. The best part of modular construction is it can be faster in construction than the traditional ones. After the completion of prefabricated construction, the modules are transported to the site for the final setup. Modular construction can be used for long-term, temporary, or permanent projects.

What are the Numerous Benefits of Modular Construction?

Modular construction not only provides the scope for faster construction, but also offers several other advantages to construction crews, building owners, and the environment. Some of the major benefits are discussed below:

• Provides Greater Flexibility and Reusability: With modular construction, the modules can be refurbished and relocated for new use. This further helps in reducing the demand for raw materials and thus minimizes the cost and energy of constructing a new building.
   
• Reduces Construction Waste: In traditional construction, the generation of waste material is huge as compared to modular one. Modular construction includes precision and accurate measurements to reduce the risk of mistakes and wastage of materials. In addition, a number of modules are created during the process of construction, so the discarded materials can be reused for the same or other projects.
   
• Minimizes Energy Consumption: The prefabricated construction is built under controlled factory settings which require less energy. During modular construction, the energy usage is optimized by using machine learning technology to deliver an environment-friendly building process and create shorter construction times. All these features of modular construction result in lower on-site energy expenditure.
   
• Improves Air Quality: As the modular construction is carried out in a controlled factory setting by using dry materials, it has more capacity of absorbing the levels of moisture created in new construction. Hence, it contributes to maintaining good air quality.
   
• Promotes Safer Construction: As the maximum part of the construction takes place indoors, modular construction reduces the risks of falls and other work-related injuries. This further eliminates the chances of mortality rates for workers and protects them from dangerous weather conditions.
   
• Reduces Construction Costs: Construction of modular buildings takes place simultaneously with site work, this makes the construction process faster compared to traditional construction. Furthermore, fewer transportation and labor costs, the use of less expensive materials, and shorter construction times are the factors that reduce the overall construction of modular buildings.
   
• Reduces Harmful Emissions: According to the studies, the construction industry causes a significant amount of carbon emissions to the atmosphere. As maximum part of the construction takes place in a controlled and closed environment, modular construction has a great role in reducing the total emissions to the atmosphere. In addition, various modular buildings are equipped with solar panels to diminish the carbon emissions for the lifetime of the building.

The Bottom Line

Modular construction is expected to be the future perspective of the construction industry as it brings out the quick and cost-effective build processes that would help take the edge off the present affordable housing crisis. Post the Covid-19 pandemic, modular construction technology could be a powerful solution for the construction industry to overcome the challenges of high costs, and labor shortages. In addition, by providing a way forward for utilizing green energy for construction processes, modular construction leads a path to a more sustainable future.

About the Author(s)

     

Rosy Behera

Rosy Behera holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and is currently working as a content writing professional. She loves to portray her thoughts and ideas via her command on words. Grabbing her audience’s attention with her creative write ups is one of her biggest assets. Apart from writing, she is a certified “Odisi” dancer and has done Gardharva in Drawing, Painting and Arts. She always explores new things through travel and is a big foodie.