Facing a looming shortage of construction workers, North America may turn to modular construction for solutions. This innovative approach offers several advantages, including increased efficiency, reduced costs, and a smaller environmental footprint.
The future of construction in North America might hinge on modular processes, given the projected shortage of construction workers due to retirements and recent immigration policy changes in Canada and the United States. Modular construction offers several advantages, including increased efficiency and reduced costs, as it requires less labor.
Experts believe that modular construction can help address challenges faced by the industry, such as high material prices, disrupted supply chains, and a lack of skilled labor. Manufacturing building components in factories and assembling them on-site provides a solution to these issues. However, some experts argue that modular construction companies often present themselves as primarily design and technology companies, overlooking the essential aspects of traditional construction. They emphasize that modular construction still requires developers, designers, financing, and skilled on-site teams for installation. The need for a comprehensive understanding of the modular process at all project levels was highlighted by several experts at Bisnow's Los Angeles Prefabrication, Modular and Mass Timber event. They stressed that off-site construction demands meticulous due diligence, even more so than traditional methods. Major companies like Greystar, the largest manager and developer of apartments in the U.S., are investing in modular construction, recognizing its efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The Findlay project, a 1,000-unit development in Denver, employed modular construction techniques, resulting in a 40% faster completion time and a 10% lower cost compared to traditional methods. Additionally, it generated 90% less waste. Innovations in volumetric construction, a type of modular construction, are also expanding its potential. A recent development allows for the easy removal and replacement of individual volumetric apartment units, offering flexibility for future adaptations. This system combines the advantages of modular wood construction with a skeletal frame, enabling adaptable floor plans that can be modified by adding or removing partition walls as occupant needs change over time. This approach provides future-proofing for the building, making it a more sustainable and adaptable solution.
Modular Construction Housing Commercial Projects Construction Shortage Efficiency Cost Reduction Sustainability
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