Modular building
In times where climate change is becoming increasingly urgent, we face significant challenges, particularly in the construction sector. Traditional building methods are often polluting, inefficient, and time-consuming. The need to build more sustainably grows stronger every day.
A potential solution that is both environmentally friendly and economically viable is modular building. This innovative method not only offers advantages in terms of sustainability but can also play a key role in addressing the housing shortage and accelerating the construction of shelter facilities.
What is modular building?
A potential solution that is both environmentally friendly and economically viable is modular construction. This innovative method not only offers advantages in terms of sustainability but can also play a key role in addressing the housing shortage and accelerating the construction of shelter facilities.
Modular building is an advanced building technique where complete parts of a building, also known as modules, are manufactured in a factory. These modules are often fully finished and then assembled on-site into a fully functional building. Think of a kitchen or bathroom delivered as a complete unit, ready for immediate installation. This results in significantly faster construction times compared to traditional methods, where everything is built on-site.
The modular building technique also offers flexibility: the various components or modules can be easily modified, expanded, or even relocated. This makes modular construction not only sustainable and efficient but also particularly suitable for changing housing needs or temporary locations.
Benefits of modular building
The current social and environmental challenges demand new solutions. Modular building fits this need perfectly. In these turbulent times, modular construction provides not only a sustainable solution for the construction sector but also an answer to the growing demand for quickly available housing. The benefits of modular building compared to traditional methods are numerous. Below, we highlight some of the main reasons why modular construction is the future.
Modular construction is significantly more sustainable than traditional construction. Because most of the building process takes place in a controlled factory environment, fewer transport movements are required. This results in a drastic reduction in CO2 emissions. Additionally, construction waste is minimized as modules are precisely produced to size, and waste streams in the factory are efficiently managed and processed.
Modular construction also enables circular building. The modules can be dismantled and reused in other projects, extending the lifecycle of the materials. This significantly reduces the ecological footprint, especially compared to traditional construction methods, which often generate large amounts of waste and use materials that are difficult to reuse.
One of the biggest advantages of modular construction is speed. While the building site is being prepared, the modules can be produced in the factory simultaneously. This drastically reduces construction time on-site. In some cases, a modular home or building can be completed up to 50% faster than with traditional construction methods.
Moreover, external factors such as weather conditions have less of an impact since the majority of the work is done in the factory. This ensures greater consistency and predictability in planning and delivery.
Modular construction can also be more cost-effective than traditional construction. Thanks to standardized production processes and automation in the factory, materials are used more efficiently, and there is less chance of errors. This leads to cost savings on both labor and materials.
Additionally, the shorter construction time reduces costs on-site, such as lower rental costs for machinery and fewer hours for construction workers. Combined with the efficiency of the production process, this often makes modular construction a more affordable option, especially for larger projects.
Modular construction offers a high degree of flexibility. Because the modules are produced in a factory, they can easily be customized to meet specific client needs. Furthermore, modular buildings can be easily expanded in the future by adding new modules. This makes modular construction an ideal solution for the housing shortage, as it allows for the quick delivery of new homes or the expansion of existing buildings.
This flexibility also makes it suitable for temporary or semi-permanent structures, such as emergency housing or temporary accommodations for students or refugees. When the need for a particular location ends, the modules can be easily relocated and reused elsewhere.
A key feature of modular construction is its potential for circular building. This means that buildings are designed with the reuse of materials in mind. When a building no longer meets needs, the modules can be easily dismantled and used in another location or project. This reduces the amount of waste typically generated during demolition and contributes to a more sustainable construction industry.
Circular building aligns with the goal of creating a closed loop of materials, where raw materials retain their value. This makes modular construction not only environmentally friendly but also future-proof.
A common misconception about modular construction is that it produces buildings that look simple or temporary. However, this is no longer the case. Thanks to technological advancements and the high-quality materials used today, modular buildings can look just as appealing and high-quality as traditionally built structures. From modern villas to luxurious hotels and stylish office spaces, the possibilities are endless.
In many cases, it’s even difficult to distinguish a modular building from a traditional one. The exterior of the building can be fully customized to the client’s wishes, ranging from brick facades to sleek, modern materials.
No prefab, and yet is is
Modular construction is often confused with prefab construction, and while the two concepts certainly have similarities, there are also key differences. In prefab construction, individual building elements such as walls and floors are made in a factory and then assembled on-site. Modular construction, however, takes it a step further. The modules produced in the factory are complete spaces, finished with insulation, windows, doors, and interior finishes. These 3D-assembled modules are then stacked and connected on-site to form a fully functional building.
While prefab construction is often viewed as a simple and sometimes temporary solution, modular construction offers far greater possibilities in terms of design, finish, and sustainability.
Applications of modular building
Modular construction is becoming increasingly popular and is used in a wide variety of projects, such as:
- Residential neighborhoods: Rapid construction of energy-efficient homes to address the housing shortage.
- Offices: Flexible and expandable workspaces that can be delivered quickly.
- Schools and hospitals: Temporary or permanent expansions that meet high safety and functionality standards.
- Hotels and apartment complexes: Modular construction provides opportunities for large-scale housing projects where speed and quality go hand in hand.
Modular building Waalwijk
112 appartments, 7.500 m2
Modular building Noordwijkerhout
75 appartments, 6.000 m2
Modular school Ter Apel
24 units, 400 m2
Modular building Hierden
58 units, 2.700 m2
Modular building Zeewolde
90 appartments, 6.200 m2
Modular building Oosterbeek
44 appartementen, 3500 m2
Get in touch
Would you like to learn more about how modular construction can benefit your project? Or are you curious about the possibilities for your home, office, or other building? Our experts are ready to provide you with free advice. Together, we’ll explore how modular construction can not only accelerate your building process but also make it more sustainable and cost-effective.
