This is a variation of a presentation that we did at the ABX Show in Boston. It covers the key concepts, benefits and drawbacks of modular construction. It also includes several illustrations and examples.
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What type of construction process are we talking about ?
Why is this a hot topic?
What are the considerations to adoption?
What are the critical success factors?
Rusty Williams, Business Development
Triumph Modular Inc.
CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS FOR
MODULAR CONSTRUCTION
Prefab is an Umbrella Term
= Prefabrication
= Factory-built
= Off-site Construction
Tiny Houses
Stackable Modular
Containers Kit
Panelized
They’re all
“prefab”
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What Triumph Does Best
Volumetric Modular
6 sided building blocks
Built Off-Site in a controlled
manufacturing environment.
Near-Complete: typically over
65% complete.
Accelerated: Most accelerated
process known, with the promise of no
sacrifice to quality or design.
Cases from the Off-Site Studies Report
demonstrate an average of 16% cost savings
compared to traditional construction.
Greater control of cost
Reduction in change orders
“8% cost overruns over multiple projects over a
four year period due to Change Orders.”
Predictable Cost
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“The reason for choosing off-site construction is not simply in cost
efficiency, but in precision of the construction and ability to control
and predict cost.” (NIBS Off Site 2014)
Safer
According to the Safety Management
in the Construction Industry
SmartMarket Report, "Firms using
prefabrication … have significantly
higher adoption levels of nearly all the
safety practices measured in the
survey.”
Working Within Limitations
Transport restrictions limit module size.
Less plenum space.
Larger beams needed to create clearspans reduce
ceiling height.
Critical Success Factors
Commit to the concept early, owner and consults
Speed requires intense coordination - Design build or
construction management forms of contracting
Team member roles clearly understood, designer, factory,
engineers.
Subcontractor Scopes of Work clear
Architect works in close coordination with modular expert -
pull subs up into design process
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Helped by trendiness and coverage in Dwell, Inhabitat and HGTV’s Tiny House show.
While these are the same discipline – prefabricated buildings – they are very distinct styles and techniques.
Many modular companies will use legos as a comparison. It’s appropriate because they click together to build amazing things. But for Volumetric, you need to imagine fully finished living spaces inside each lego. That’s what we do: move-in ready legos.
Luckily with a few pictures and one video it’s easier to convey.
We’ll get into some tangible metric in a minute, but at a higher level there’s a growing need to think of space as a flexible asset – able to adapt to changing needs. In fact Google referred to this as a “reconfigurable campus”
60 companies interviewed.
17 Case studies
All attendees of this webinar were sent the link to the “NIBS” report, National Institute of Building Sciences and the University of Utah. A year long study completed in April 2015. Over 66 companies interviewed by 8 researchers, 312 total survey respondents, 17 case studies nationwide. It was an important study the first of its kind undertaken by objective outside observers, Triumph was one of 9 sponsors of the report. The introduction on Page 5 cites : “Although conceptually strong .. The lack of research data on PMC has been identified as a barrier to its adoption” The study’s conclusions are overall favorable however there is one major theme or take away that corroborates what many of us practitioners have been experiencing as the largest limitation of permanent modular – that is, its requirement of so much collaboration up front. Procurement methods that learn toward driving the lowest cost and competion rather than collaborative methods of team formation and contracting – are a large barrier.
Key consideration for educational institutions, tech companies, and buildings designed for relocation or “temporarily permanent” use – 5 to 15 years.
Point to the slide
Of course that is a part of what we are trying to do here today.
The process is unique the process is different. Parties who are steeped in tradition of conventional ways of thinking will need to rethink – on that note let’s look at our first video.
Design Assistance - Prior experience required.
The Module Layout is factored in to the design,
Module layout creates the most logical and cost effective way to achieve the desired outcome
Module layout dictates design of the Foundation
Controls routing based on dimensional limitations
Access to and around the site – staging areas
Mechanical designs – ceiling spaces
Configuration to maximize construction off site.
Final Design and Approvals are more time sensitive.
Project schedules should establish a reasonable but finite time for final design development and decision making
Decisions must be made early and modular footprint frozen
Turnaround time for approvals is shorter
Changes during fabrication are costly and can be avoided with more collaboration between stakeholders.
Define and Delineate the Project Scope of Work
During pre-bid phase establish a scope of work document that best suits the requirements of the stakeholders
Clearly communicate to avoid scope creep/overlap or scope gaps
Triumph is specialized GC with extensive experience coordinating modular projects with fabricators, architects, owners and subcontractors.