How Modular Construction is Revolutionizing Affordable Housing
There are still too many people who face the problem of finding the housing that can be considered decent and affordable when compared to their average wages.
Traditional building processes are highly effective but there are a number of drawbacks in relation to costs, time, and project size.
This blog discusses modular construction in affordable housing sector; what it is, opportunities it offers, problems it solves and its implications on housing industry.
Understanding Modular Construction: The Basics and Benefits
Modular construction is commonly referred to as off-site construction, prefabrication, or even factory-built construction, the construction of building projects in sections that are then transported and installed on site.
Unlike the Industrial Age construction in which all construction exercises take place at the construction site of the project, modular construction enables several sections of the building to be constructed simultaneously in a contained area.
These can be whole rooms or part structures that are manufactured off-site, transported, and then connected together on-site and this has several advantages.
The imperative advantages of prefab construction.
1. Cost Efficiency:
Modular construction is very cheap and helps reduce the cost of construction of affordable housing.
These are favourable circumstances in controlled factory environments where purchases can be made in large quantities, labour well-coordinated and minimum wastage.
Since materials costs, as well as labor hours, are minimized throughout the construct, the costs for housing units are lowered for the end users’ benefit.
2. Speed of Construction:
The most apparent strength of modular construction is the speed at which a project can be delivered.
In traditional construction, there are various considerations such as difficult weather conditions and in the modular construction, different parts of the building are constructed under controlled environment within a building.
Essentially this approach can cut project time by up to 50 percent helping developers deliver affordable housing to the market quicker.
3. Quality Control and Precision:
It is within this context that building in a factory-controlled environment is possible because it yields higher quality control than on conventional construction sites.
Factory constructed homes are better made and more durable because builders have control over the settings and can meet code requirements.
The above consistency is necessary for AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS which we know require certain quality which must be attained despite the capital available.
Addressing the Affordable Housing Crisis with Modular Construction
The basic needs problem is one that can be complex by many aspects such as rapid growth of urban centers, population, or the increasing expenses of construction costs.
Usually, conventional construction techniques have failed to meet these needs, and the housing deficit is compounded by high costs.
In realisation of affordable housing goals, Modular construction meets several main issues that have slowed down affordable housing objectives.
Breaking the Barriers to High Construction Costs
Cost of construction is due to time, labor, and material; which forms one of the major challenges to affordable housing.
Other costs build up these expenses, which include the cost of the land, and bureaucratic measures that exist to hinder developers in constructing the low-cost housing.
Modular construction is also efficient financially because construction labor costs are low because construction errors are reduced reducing wastage of construction material.
The purchase of additional materials for construction in factories also effects cost reduction.
Speeding Up the Development Process
The rate of construction of housing units is equally important when one is in a hurry to feed the scarce housing market.
It takes years to complete construction projects that are developed through the conventional means, within a short time modular construction is accomplishable.
This quicker tempo is especially advantageous for affordable housing, because any set-backs can often result in large losses for the developer as well as potential residents.
Measuring up to Regulatory Requirements with Modular Gravitas
Budget housing tends to conform to certain requirements set down in the building codes to make the homes safe and comfortable to occupy.
Compared to traditional on-site construction, the limited exposure of the modular construction process to external factors enables it to achieve these standards more effectively.
Each module is developed to come to code in the factory and they are subject to quality check before they are conveyed to the site.
This goes a long way in helping minimise costly and time consuming iterations often experienced on-site especially in building construction.
The Future of Affordable Housing: Innovations and Impact of Modular Construction
Following this, some advancements affecting growth of modular construction are as follows: Increase in the advancement of modular Construction Given that modular construction is progressively becoming common, the following are trends that are defining its future as well as the reach it has in affordable housing.
Everything from design approaches and materials to incorporation of technology into modular construction efforts are continuing to advance to meet modern housing market demands.
New technologies improving on modular construction
The modular construction industry is currently experiencing new technology disruptions including BIM and 3D printing.
BIM provides ways of implementing innovative projects in the coordinate system, which decreases the possibilities of erring on the side of design.
It allows an opportunity to run several design possibilities and select the best building layout before construction actually starts.
Green and Modular Housing Systems
The idea of sustainability has gained increasing importance especially in the housing industry, and modular build is ready to take the bull by the horn.
Some of the advantages of Modular construction for the environment include; the following are among the realized advantages; Sustainable building elements such as the use of recycled steel and cross-laminated timber in trailers are now common among developers.
Not only do these materials minimize the pollution levels which go into construction but also augment the long-life span of the building as well as its energy efficiency.
The concept of modular housing and bring it to more cities around the world.
The modular construction approach is not constrained to any single location or a specific style of development but is being implemented across the world as a practical solution for been affordable housing.
Many countries of the world, including the United States of America, China, United Kingdom, and Australia among others have adopted modular constructions as a permanent solution to housing deficit.
In cases where land price charges are high and the construction workforce is either unavailable or very costly, modular Housing is a flexible solution.
Governments and private sector developers too are starting to realize that modular construction has a solution to the global affordable housing deficit.
Government is providing incentives to the modular construction through tax credits, grant, and subsidies to provide further support to the modular construction projects and pushing this advanced method of construction at a much faster rate.
Conclusion
Modular construction is revolutionizing affordable housing by being economical, efficient in quality, and environmental impact.
In light of the foregoing, the following benefits can be ascribed to the use of this technology in construction: It has the capability of lowering construction costs, shortening duration and delivering flexible housing layouts that are instrumental in casing the housing deficit.
Further, the optimism surrounding the ability of technological progress and sustainability in improving modular construction will only improve the industry’s prospects in the future of affordable housing.
There are of course some difficulties associated with the use of modular construction including the requirement of skilled workforce in the construction of sections in modularity and accommodation of considerable sections in transport.
Also read: Modular Construction for Multifamily Affordable Housing