While still met with skepticism in some circles, modular housing is increasingly proving its value—especially in the development of much-needed affordable and workforce housing.
Otis Odell, housing and mixed-use sector leader at integrated architecture and engineering firm HED, has more than three decades of experience in designing multifamily projects. He’s always been fascinated by modular housing and, today, he’s a vocal advocate for this practical building method. Here’s what he told us about modular construction and its potential.
What drew you to designing modular housing and what continues to motivate your work in this area?
Odell: My interest in modular housing began in the late 80s when I was a young architect working on housing in the ski areas of Colorado. In these ski resort towns, construction was limited by the climate, and as I continued to explore how to navigate the short building season, I saw the efficiencies in labor, time and costs that modular construction could offer. The potential for standardization and efficiency in having a functional space that meets residents’ needs is what continues to fuel my passion.
Which key factors of modular construction make this construction method more financially advantageous compared to traditional methods?
Odell: There are several key factors of modular construction that play into the potentially significant cost savings compared to traditional methods. First, the controlled factory environment where building components are prefabricated. This environment reduces waste, enhances quality control and mitigates many of the risks associated with traditional construction methods.
Cost and time savings also depend on a high level of standardization, with little to no variation or complexity. Standardized unit dimensions, repeatable floorplans, and consistent fixtures and finishes help produce more square footage daily, which results in both cost and design certainty.
However, if a project does not carefully consider the issues that impact modular delivery, it can end up costing more. For example, unit types, building layouts, site conditions, number of times the modules have to be moved, and ease of mechanical, electrical and plumbing connections can all impact costs. Modular design alone is not enough to see significant cost savings. Effective planning and coordination must also be employed.
Which types of residential projects are best suited for modular construction, and why?
Odell: Modular construction is particularly well-suited for projects like three-star hotels, as well as workforce and affordable housing. These types of buildings benefit from the potential for rapid, scalable construction.
Standardization is key, so projects that can accept high levels of uniform unit design, level of finish and simple geometry are prime candidates. This standardization allows for large volumes of square footage—ranging from 4,000 to 11,000 square feet per day—to be produced in a controlled factory environment.
READ ALSO: Expanding California’s Affordable Housing Stock: A Local Perspective
Tell us a bit more about how modular construction can be a solution for quickly delivering affordable housing properties.
Odell: Modular construction is an attractive solution for affordable housing developments due to its significant efficiencies in labor, time, costs and its speed to market, which stem from the controlled factory environment. The ability to produce a large number of standardized units helps accelerate the construction timeline and uses economies of scale to bring down costs.
What misconceptions do developers or the general public still have about modular housing, and how can the industry address them?
Odell: Many people have heard about the challenges with modular delivery and not enough about the successes. Situations have occurred where factories have gone out of business mid-project, insurance challenges arise with over the road transport, and unexperienced teams may get in over their heads without the required expertise.
The key to addressing these misconceptions is educating stakeholders about the benefits and potential of modular construction, highlighting successful projects and continuing to innovate in design and construction methods.
What are some of the main challenges of modular construction in multifamily developments?
Odell: Key challenges can include lack of experience, especially among the trades, perception and aligning funding with the timing of the work. Without a design that aligns with the principles of modular construction, the promised efficiencies can disappear due to increased variation and complexity of the units.
In what ways is modular construction more sustainable than conventional building practices?
Odell: Because the modular construction process involves prefabricating building components in a controlled factory environment, overall waste is reduced and less energy is spent over the lifecycle of the project. Developers also have more control over the exterior envelope.
Modular units can also use solar panels, heat pumps, hydronic heating and cooling, and energy recovery ventilation, which all contribute to net-zero energy goals. The use of a steel ground frame foundation can also reduce the carbon footprint by up to 77 percent, compared to a conventional concrete one.
What type of modular projects does your portfolio include?
Odell: We’ve created six bay designs that can deliver studio, one- two- and three-bedroom units. These specific projects allow rapid, scalable development while addressing the need for customization and variation. Right now, we are working on computational design and continuing to push the limits of what modular construction can offer.
How do you see modular construction evolving in the residential space over the next few years?
Odell: Modular construction in the residential sector is expected to become increasingly accepted, sustainable, scalable and cost-effective. Innovations in computational design and manufacturing partnerships are pushing the limits and allowing for more customization and variation.
As modular solutions evolve, the way homes are built will be transformed, making quality housing more accessible and affordable, which will help address the increasing demand for quicker and more affordable housing solutions.
The post Where Modular Housing Excels: A Veteran Architect on the Value of Standardization appeared first on Multi-Housing News.
Gillian Executive Search is a leader in Affordable Housing Development, Financing, Design and Construction recruiting. www.gessearch.com