“ Architecture should speak of its time and place but yearn for timelessness. ” – once quoted by Frank Gehry rightly describes the evolution of architectural styles and materials over the course of time.
The dynamic discipline of architecture is constantly evolving in response to shifting societal demands and technological advances.
One current architectural trend that has piqued people’s interest is the innovation of modular construction design. Modular buildings, which were previously thought to be unassuming structures mostly associated with country living or vacation destinations, are currently undergoing a radical redesign by architects and designers. These modern structures combine contemporary design ideas, technology, and sustainability to create more than just comfortable retreats. This piece of writing will look at current trends in modular architecture and how they can improve people’s quality of life.
What exactly is Modular Construction?
Modular construction is a process in which a building is built off-site, under controlled plant conditions, with the same materials and to the same codes and standards as conventionally built facilities – but in roughly half the time. Buildings are manufactured in “modules” that, when assembled on-site, reflect the same design intent and specifications as the most sophisticated site-built facility.
Moving construction away from traditional construction sites and into factories could have a significant impact on how we build. Will this time, modular construction have a long-term impact?
The concept of impermanence has never been more pervasive in many of our lives as we journey through these ‘unprecedented times’. Amid a pandemic, and eventually a post-pandemic society, there is a greater need than ever for architecture and design to accommodate our changing needs.
The theory of impermanence has always had an impact on philosophy, art, literature, society, and architecture. Many cultures, as Heraclitus wrote in his Fragments, regard Change as the Only Constant. Buddhism identifies three articles of faith that explain all phenomena in Eastern philosophy: Change, Dissatisfaction, and Impermanence. Architecture reflects the impermanence of our surroundings, with buildings serving as time markers.
This progressive idea is a kind of off-site construction where prefabricated parts or modules are made in a controlled setting and then put together on the job site. Modules come in a range of sizes, from basic parts to whole rooms, and can be constructed from a number of materials, such as wood, steel, concrete, or composite. A wide range of buildings, including institutional, commercial, industrial, and residential ones, can be constructed using modular construction.
The popularity of modular buildings has grown tremendously over the years. While this unusual building and construction method appears new, it has been around for nearly two centuries. The modular construction concept arrived in India much later than it did in Europe and America. Modular buildings have recently grown in popularity. With the Government of India encouraging modular construction as a viable solution to the massive gap between home demand and supply, many new residential modular and commercial modular buildings have been built nationwide. It is now a viable and versatile method used in a wide range of building applications around the world.
What are the advantages of Modular Construction over traditional building methods – Is it truly cost-effective?
Modular construction can certainly save money, but that is not its primary advantage. The primary advantage of modular construction is that it saves time and provides a faster return on investment since modular construction allows for industrialized assembly that occurs concurrently with site preparation, the total time required to construct a structure is dramatically reduced. When the site is ready, the factory-built modules are ready to be installed. A modularly built hotel, for instance, can open its doors and generate revenue 30% to 50% faster than a conventionally built hotel.
Can it be used for any structure? In what situations is Modular Construction preferable to traditional methods?
Any structure can be built using modular construction.However, in order to do so, the building must be constructed and designed in this manner. When time is of the essence or space is limited, traditional construction is frequently hampered by roads and other structures, making it prohibitively expensive. Modular construction necessitates cranes and far fewer workers to complete a building in less time. Furthermore, noise pollution reduction is an added benefit in congested urban areas.
Today, modular construction is receiving renewed attention and investment, and several factors indicate that it may have renewed pertinacity. The maturation of digital tools has fundamentally altered the modular construction proposition, for example, by facilitating module design and optimizing delivery logistics. Consumer perceptions of prefabricated housing are changing, particularly as new, more diverse material options improve prefabricated buildings’ visual appeal.
Design innovation can potentially exacerbate or mitigate social inequality, ecological crisis, pandemic effects, and periods of unrest and change. Design must address the realities of our current and future societies, and it is in this area that modular design and construction may gain traction more than ever before!
References :
- LinkedIn. How can you incorporate modular construction into your architectural design? [ online ]
Available at: How can you incorporate modular construction into your architectural designs? (linkedin.com) - Selma Larsson. UnStudio. Modular Construction in Architecture: The Future of Flexible Design [ online ]
Available at: Modular Construction in Architecture: The Future of Flexible Design – UNStudio - June 18, 2019. McKinsey and Company. Modular construction: From projects to products [ online ]
Available at: Modular construction: From projects to products | McKinsey - Lilly Cao. ArchDaily. Why choose Modular construction? [ online ]
Available at: Why Choose Modular Construction? | ArchDaily
