What is Modular Construction and how does it work?

30 Jul

New solutions are urgently needed in the housing sector as the price of traditional builds continues to sky rocket. Modular housing potentially offers a perfect solution that saves time, money and much more. But what is modular construction and how does it work? We explain more below.

What is modular construction?

Modular construction is a modern method of construction (MMC) that enables houses to pre-built in parts (or modules) within a factory environment before being transported for assembly on a plot of land.

How does modular housing work?

There are a number of phases that make up the journey of a modular home, including some of the processes used in building a traditional home:

Design

Like any other type of property, modular housing requires a design plan. As normal, this involves understanding the functions of the space, as well as exterior and interior finishes. The design of the internal layout must also be considered in conjunction with the size of the each module. An average size UK home will be composed of x6 modules (x2 for the ground floor, x2 for the first floor and x2 for the roof). The design must also take into consideration the local environment and any particular planning requirements that may be needed for the property.

Planning Permission

As with any new build, planning permission comes into play once the plans have been designed. Depending on the proposed build and how busy the local authority are, it can take a bit of time for final approval to be given, especially if the plans need to be modified further to receive the green light.

Building Regulations

Even a home being made using off-site construction techniques has to meet current building regulation requirements. During the detailed design phase electrical, fire and mechanical regulations must be considered and implemented within the design of each module in order to gain approval. All the structural elements of the modules must be decided with the engineers to ensure this information coincides with the architects drawings. During these stages, Building Control inspections can be conducted within the factory.

Off-site construction

Construction starts on the property with the timber frame (or Light Steel Frame), insulation, walls, interior fixtures and fittings, all added layer by layer. This stage of the process is relatively quick while still following strict quality assurance checks.

Site preparation

Once statutory approvals have been signed off site preparation can begin. The advantage of MMC is that demolition and other groundworks can begin while modular home construction gets underway in the factory. Utilities can also be installed, so that these aspects of the build are ready for when the building modules arrive on site.

Transferring to site

Once the manufacturing element has been completed the modules of the house can be transported to the build location. Once they arrive a crane is used to position the modules on their foundations. In most instances a special licence won’t be needed for transportation.

Installing the modules

Compared to a traditional on-site build, it can often be completed in almost half the time, without compromising on build quality. Less waste is also produced, making it a more eco-friendly process.

What are the advantages of modular housing?

The main advantages of modular housing are:

Quicker builds: A modular house can built in almost half the time, with the foundations prepared onsite at the same time as the modules being built in the factory. This offers considerable benefits for developers, local council housing departments and homeowners.
Cost efficiency: There are continued shortages in the skilled labour market and modular housing construction offers a way to attract skilled workers and reduce overall labour costs at the same time.
Less waste: Modular housing is a more eco-friendly option, with some studies suggesting it could reduce material waste by up to 90%. This means less materials are sent to landfills and enables factories to boost their recycling efforts.

What are the challenges facing modular housing?

Some of the obstacles modular housing still has to overcome include:

Traditional mindset: Modular housing could be a great solution for social housing and to fix the greater housing crisis. However, many local authorities prefer to stick with the options they know, which invariably means traditional builds.
Planning permission: This is an issue also faced by traditional builds. The planning permission process in the UK is slow and complicated and causes unnecessarily long delays, which undermines a key advantage offered by modular housing.

Are you looking for a Cambridge architect for a proposed modular housing project? Tereyn Architects have excellent experience in this field, and understand how to effectively plan for the build and overcome any challenges that arise. Get in touch today to book a free consultation by calling us today on 07984 760 920 or send us a message here and let us know all about your project.