Massachusetts town desires to improve with commercial developments

Bridgewater, Mass. hopes to cut residential property taxes, shorten lengthy commutes and reduce unemployment by attracting new businesses. The local town manager recently spoke about the lack of commercial development in the area. Michael Dutton (Bridgewater Town Manager) outlined the challenges that Bridgewater faces and described a few potential solutions.

The town has plenty of developed residential land but not many commercial zones remain available. Dutton explained that the town must find ways to incentivize development and help businesses use land more efficiently, according to WATD-FM. By adding more commercial businesses to the area, the town could then lessen the tax burden of the residential communities.

The town manager stated that they will “work with developers to come up with ways that could be beneficial for them [businesses] to relocate to Bridgewater and we’re constantly looking at ways we can do things better in order to promote commercial development.”

Modular construction could help Bridgewater transition more commercial businesses to the area in a more efficient manner. A property owner can set up a prefabricated strip mall or office building and start renting units to businesses in very little time. This strategy also benefits developers and their communities by allowing for earlier occupancy.

Prefabricated commercial buildings come in many shapes and sizes. They range from neighborhood convenience stores to large hotels. In addition to offices, many modular office buildings feature a kitchen, meeting area and waiting room. A prefabricated apartment complex can quickly add safe, affordable housing to any locale. Other options include modular banks, bus stations and medical centers.

Although workers build prefabricated structures in factories, buyers can easily request custom styles and features. For example, a customer in Bridgewater might ask for extra insulation, or siding that matches the color of nearby buildings. Modular construction accommodates specific needs and consistently helps developers save time and money.

Relocatable Buildings Offer an Alternative to Disaster Relief Tents

When Hurricane Katrina stormed through Louisiana in 2005, nobody could have predicted the extent of its devastation. Over the past decade, more than 1 million people have moved from the Gulf Coast to other parts of the country. Some analysts believe the storm will ultimately cost the U.S. economy more than $150 billion. However, these long-term issues pale in comparison to the day-to-day struggles faced by Katrina survivors in the first two years after the storm.

A Lack of Resources

In the immediate aftermath, disaster relief agencies funneled basic supplies such as food and water to survivors who hadn't fled the Gulf Coast. Tents sprang up by the tens of thousands, but they offered little in the way of room, comfort, or protection. These poor living conditions contributed to health problems, which were exacerbated by large mosquito populations in late August.

An Alternative Solution

Instead of using tents as temporary shelter solutions, disaster relief agencies can use prefabricated buildings to offer a more viable solution. Relocatable buildings are extremely durable and setup times are exceptionally short which results in a quick and dependable recovery. They can also be refurbished and reconfigured for future use.

The government has already made great use of prefabricated buildings in response to a natural disaster. Prefabricated courthouses, health clinics, and police stations provide the institutions people rely on every day, and help to prevent disaster zones from dissolving into chaos.

How to Rebuild Responsibly After Superstorm Sandy

Superstorm Sandy demolished many eastern coastal communities, some of which still haven't completely recovered. When rebuilding after a natural disaster, there should be a plan to withstand future storms. New coastal construction must be efficient and durable to protect residents from repeated loss and to instill confidence about returning to a community. Yet finding a way to rebuild quickly after a disaster is imperative in helping those without homes find some stability.

Modular construction is a prime way to address these issues. Created offsite and indoors, sheltered from weather, modules can be prebuilt and ready to assemble on location as soon as outdoor construction is possible. Factory production minimizes concerns about delays or damage due to rain or wind during rebuilding.

When a storm or other disaster has cleared, modular construction is able to offer significant benefits. Site and module preparations can occur simultaneously, resulting in considerably shortened completion schedules. A modular home is strong, proving its durability in advance by withstanding open winds during transportation to a local site. Prefabrication helps residents establish secure new homes with greater ease than with traditional construction.

In fact, entire communities can take advantage of prefabricated modules. Governments and businesses that choose modular buildings help important services return swiftly to their neighborhoods. Knowing that a fire or police station is active nearby, that mail service will continue through a rebuilt post office or that health care is available from a newly constructed clinic helps the community recover as a whole.

Need more information about modular construction? Click here.

Solving San Francisco's Housing Shortage with Modular Construction

When San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee recently announced plans to prioritize affordable housing construction, many eyes turned to Seattle, a city that has spent the years since 2006 concentrating on new development. Scrutiny quickly showed that the significant increase in residential options has had a positive effect on that city's lodging costs. In fact, between 2007 and 2011, as the issuance of new construction permits rose in number, Seattle's average rental rates actually dropped.

Can San Francisco Repeat the Feat?

With all eyes focused on San Francisco, the question is; can they duplicate Seattle’s results of increased housing options and decreased lodging costs? One construction method available to the city is modular construction. San Francisco can utilize modular construction to add new housing developments in a shortened time period.

Benefits of Modular Apartment Construction

San Francisco can appreciate the many advantages that modular construction can provide to its residents. These include benefits such as greater reduced construction waste, speed of construction, and building flexibility. The disruption to the construction site is minimal, which translates to fewer cleanups after the building is in place. With modular construction, underground gas tanks, site grading and utilities are prepared at the same time the buildings are constructed at the factory. Construction delays are minimized because the buildings are constructed indoors. Although these buildings are built quickly, there is no sacrifice in quality. These modular buildings are constructed by highly trained workers and meet or exceed building codes and standards. Modular construction can complete developments 40% faster than traditional construction. Because of the shortened construction timeline, residents are able to occupy the building sooner, which allows investors to earn their ROI faster.

A Cutting-Edge Answer to San Francisco's Housing Shortage

Conveniently located in San Francisco's South of Market region is a modular apartment complex that features 23 units and boasts 295 square feet of fully equipped sustainable living space. The off-site manufacturer of this breakthrough development not only shortened construction time but also in this case, minimized expenses while lowering the project's impact on the surrounding neighborhood.
Currently this apartment complex is being leased to college students because of the affordability of each unit. With the simple living environment, this complex satisfies basic housing needs that are energy efficient with its solar heating and solar heated hot water. Today, the attractive structure stands to illustrate one viable and economical solution to San Francisco's affordable housing shortage.

Contact us to find out how modular construction can be used for your project.

New Military Training Barracks in Texas

Construction is complete on new modular militarytraining barracks in Texas, and the U.S. Army is preparing to occupy the final phase of the Military Construction, Unaccompanied Enlisted Personnel Housing, and Advanced Individual Training (MILCON UEPH AIT) Barracks in San Antonio at Fort Sam Houston. The modular building is 116, 480 square feet, has four stories and 272 rooms made of 152 individual modules and cost $9.7 million. The completed project is part of a multiple order under the Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. The Army plans to fully occupy the LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Silver permanent construction project by the end of March 2014.

The Army chose modular construction because they were challenged to build permanent facilities faster with better quality, lower costs, and more concern for green initiatives. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers designed a master plan in 2005 that changed its MILCON programs. The Corps was frustrated by the inability to get high-quality facilities quickly, so it designed a standardized building program and expanded its use of permanent modular military barracks, modular military training facilities, and prefabricated buildings. Like other government agencies, the Army often uses modular construction due to its convenience, speed, and dependability. Modular buildings can be completed much more quickly than traditional construction, while meeting or exceeding the same building codes. With modular construction the Army can custom-design each building to fit the unique needs of the individual military base.

One of the recent modular buildings that MICON completed is Advanced Individual Training (AIT) barracks. The AIT barracks house U.S. combat troops, so the building was designed to meet the rigid standards of the Army's Anti-Terrorism Force Protection. The building received LEED Silver Certification because it features energy star roofing materials and waterless urinals, it recycled 50 percent of the waste materials that would normally go to landfills, and used construction materials that had 20 percent recycled content. The heating and cooling systems use a chilled water-assist heat pump, and each individual unit serves one room allowing the system to operate more efficiently.

The finished modular building includes sleeping rooms, laundry rooms, a training area, and a computer learning center.

For more information on how you can benefit from modular construction, contact us.

Facebook Utilizing Modular Building Techniques

(Image credit: opencompute.org–Facebook’s

datacenter campus in Lulea, Sweden)

Using its rapid deployment data center (RDDC) model, Facebook will build its datacenter facilities based on modular construction methods that will provide two immediate benefits: standardization of design in terms of construction and architecture so new facilities will not have to be designed from scratch; and speed of deployment, according to zdnet.com. As MHProNews.com has learned, the walls will be panelized and fit into modules easily transportable to the site. Borrowing from Ikea’s flat-pack furniture idea for a leaner and faster build, Facebook will ship the chassis, and the pre-fabricated walls and ceiling will be attached on site, thereby avoiding having to ship empty space.

According to Facebook design engineer, Marco Magarelli, “The modules reduce the generation of on-site waste and the impacts associated with the delivery and staging of individual construction materials common to traditional construction techniques.” The pre-manufactured assemblies will allow for interchangeable components that can be deployed to wherever the next data facility is built. The first attempt of the RDDC model will be a second building at Facebook’s Lulea, Sweden campus.

Silver Mathew (2014 March 10) Facebook Utilizing Modular Building Techniques Retrieved on March 13 from mhmarketingsalesmanagement.com

To learn more about the benefits of modular construction for your business contact us.

Improve Your Community with Modular Construction

Munroe Regional Medical Center

Modular construction has been used all over the country to provide additional space to growing communities. The following are just a few community sectors that have utilized modular buildings to help improve their neighborhood.

Emergency Service Buildings

Modular construction has been used extensively in this area to build 911 centers, police stations, and expand Fire Departments. Modular buildings have also been used to build training facilities for both law enforcement, and the Fire Department.

Correctional Facilities

These modular buildings range from portable prison housing to a complete minimum to medium security prison including all supporting buildings such as; cafeterias and kitchens, interview rooms and infirmaries. Modular buildings can provide additional space to help reduce the effects of overcrowding such as increased violence, stress among inmates and staff and the spread of disease and illness.

Community Health Centers

Modular construction can offer medical facilities a faster completion time, a quality final product and the option of portability. Modular buildings are a great choice for medical clinics, healthcare centers, community hospitals and dental clinics because they can meet the technical and innovative needs of the industry.

Community Service Buildings

Modular construction can provide facilities for a variety of civic and cultural activities in a community. For example, modular office buildings can be used as a resource to assist the community when additional space is needed for facilities such as courthouses, career centers and community centers.

To learn how you could improve your community today, click here.

How Make Your Modular Building More Energy Efficient

Modular school taking advantage of the sun.

 

Modular buildings are considered efficient because of the speed in which they are constructed, reduced site disruption and minimal waste. Did you know there are more ways you can make your modular building more energy efficient? Below are 3 methods that can be used individually or in combination to increase the energy efficiency of your modular building.

Passive Solar Design

Passive solar design techniques are applied most easily to new modular buildings. This design method takes into consideration the building’s architecture, the location of the building, the climate and the materials necessary to minimize energy use. Energy efficient modular buildings will have properly oriented windows (facing 30 degrees true south), implement heat and energy absorbing components (thermal mass), include roof overhangs and are thoroughly insulated.  Modular buildings designed with passive solar in mind greatly reduce heating and cooling costs.

Active Solar Energy

Modular buildings can use solar panels to either compliment a passive solar design, or as a full source of energy for your building. With solar panels, owners have the option to produce all the electricity needed and can go “off the grid” or continue to stay tied into the neighborhood electrical grid. By staying tied into the grid there is the possibility of selling some of your extra energy to the electric company. Solar Panels are an excellent way to increase energy efficiency in your modular building

Energy Star Appliances

ENERGY STAR products are independently certified to save energy, and water, without sacrificing features or functionality. These products are made for every room of your house. The Energy Star label applies to everything from dishwashers and refrigerators, to televisions and dryers. By choosing Energy Star appliances you can be sure you’re doing your part to protect the environment.

Adding these features to any modular building you will be able you increase the energy efficiency of your building.

Looking for more ways to make your modular building more energy efficient? Contact us by calling 877.677.2231 or clicking this link.

How Correctional Facilities benefit from Modular Construction

Modular construction has grown in popularity since its inception because of the speed in which buildings can be built and the variety of ways the buildings can be used. This method of construction is not limited to any particular industry or business. One of the many industries that have taken advantage of modular construction is the Department of Corrections (D.O.C).

According to the National Council of Crime and Delinquency, the United States has the largest incarceration rate in the world. Most of these facilities, whether it’s the local jail or state and federal prisons, are either at full capacity or over capacity. Prison overcrowding poses a great risk not only to inmates, but also to the correctional officers who work there. These risks include but are not limited to:

• Stress among inmates and staff
• Increased risk of violence
• Spread of disease and illness
• Sentence reduction(possibly releasing dangerous offenders into society)

Correctional Facilities use modular prisons to help solve these issues. Modular buildings offer solutions for any type of inmate housing or other support building necessary, such as:

• Minimum to Medium Security inmate housing
• Adult and youth facilities
• Inmate Lockup and holding cells
• Interview, processing, and waiting rooms
• Administrative buildings
• Cafeteria and kitchen areas
• Visitation halls
• Infirmary housing, health facilities

These facilities are built to meet all of the D.O.C codes and standards as well as security and safety concerns. They can include state of the art security features like 1” polycarbonate/glass one-way vision panels and Sergent M9200 institutional locks with tamer-resistant screw plates.

With modular construction the D.O.C. has the option to choose between building a whole new facility or to add temporary or permanent structures to their current facility. This method is a more secure method of construction because most of the construction takes place in a factory, away from the prison. There is less site disturbance and the prison will be back to its normal routine faster than with traditional construction.

By expanding onto an existing facility or building a new correctional facility, modular construction can help elevate the prison overcrowding faster than traditional construction would. Modular prisons improve the working conditions for the staff and the living conditions for inmates.

To learn how you can alleviate prison overcrowding click here.

Modular Restaurants are Changing the Fast Food and Restaurant Industries

The U.S. accounts for the largest share of fast food spending globally. For many this is an entrepreneurial dream, but in reality the industry is very competitive. The truth is, hundreds of small businesses fail every year and innovative entrepreneurs realize that they need a way for their businesses to gain a competitive advantage.

Creative marketing and advertising is very important, but may take longer than expected for your restaurant to notice a return on investment (ROI). The best chance for a competitive advantage is to have your restaurant open its doors as soon as possible. Time is of the essence in the restaurant industry and by opening sooner you can start generating revenue and see a return on your investment faster.

The most efficient way to have your restaurant ready for business is to use modular construction. Not all construction methods are created equal. Traditional construction may take six months or more before you can open for business. Rather than wasting time with traditional building methods, quickly recoup on your investment with modular construction. Modular construction can be completed 40% faster than traditional construction. This type of construction method can be used for any type of restaurant, or franchise you choose.

Modular restaurants are customizable to your specific needs and will meet all building codes and food safety standards. Modular buildings are particularly good for franchises because they offer design consistency and building compliance with franchisors. As your business grows you can be sure that you can have a consistent design with the same level of perfection as the original.

Need more information? Click contact us.

What Makes Modular Construction So Desirable To Commercial Developers?

Throughout the nation commercial projects are being completed by using modular construction. Strip Malls, shopping centers, hotels, office buildings, apartment buildings and housing developments are just a few types of projects commercial developers are using modular construction for. Modular construction is the preferred building method for many developers because of the speed in which it can be completed. There are many other aspects of this process that make it more desirable than traditional construction. Here are a few examples:

Health

Modular buildings are built indoors, in a climate controlled environment. This reduces the risk of mold and mildew that can often arise during traditional construction which can lead to respiratory problems in occupants of the structure.

Safety

Modular construction often leads to a safer work environment due to the fact that most of the construction process happens off-site.

Quality

Modules in the factory are inspected multiple times before they are transported to the site. These modular units are built to withstand transportation, which allows for a quality building. Once the building is assembled on site, the buildings are inspected once again to check for building code compliance.

With all these features combined together and with the speed in which modular construction can be completed, one can clearly see why commercial developers choose modular construction. Whether the project is new construction or an expansion of existing structures, modular buildings are the popular choice.

Click here to take advantage of all the benefits modular construction has to offer.

Modular construction and cross-laminated timber, together at last!

© Weber Thompson

© Weber Thompson Cross-laminated timber is a wonderful way of using up all those billions of board-feet of pine-beetle kill lumber that's rotting away. Cut it, glue it and press it, and you have giant panels that can used for strong, earthquake resistant and yes, fire resistant construction. It already is a form of flat-pack prefabrication, but Seattle architects Weber Thompson take it one step further: They are proposing to go modular with it as well.

Until now, modular construction and CLT have been studied and executed in isolation, but never in this combination,” says [Associate Myer] Harrell, who has a passion for sustainable design and won the AIA Seattle Young Architect award in 2011. “In order to really gain momentum, we’ll need to formalize a code alternate or code revision with the City of Seattle, and then work with an eager developer and contractor who are willing to go outside the boundaries of conventional building,” says Harrell.

© Weber Thompson

They explain why CLT is such an attractive material.

It is the sustainability and aesthetic aspects that appeal most to architects. When forested or recycled responsibly, wood has long been understood as a renewable resource with a net carbon reduction to the environment as analyzed in its overall lifecycle, things that neither steel nor concrete can claim. The ability to build more densely out of wood is a win-win for the green building movement. And, when detailed to expose the wood in walls and ceilings, CLT can help bring the warmth and beauty of wood finishes to high rises, achieving an honesty of structure to which architects often strive.

© Weber Thompson

The case for going modular with CLT is not entirely convincing. CLT is already cut in a factory to the exact prefabricated panel size, usually up near the forests where the wood comes from and is shipped very efficiently as a flatpack. One would have to set up another factory closer to the site to assemble the modules, which are too expensive to ship long distances. CLT high-rises in the UK and Australia went up really fast, and had all the chases for electricity and holes for plumbing pre-drilled, so that the trades could do the on-site work more quickly and easily. Going modular also uses more material, as every unit has its own walls and ceilings; in traditional modular there is a 30% increase in the amount of wood.

Flatpack CLT prefab is a pretty impressive thing all on its own. The wonder of CLT construction is that it is already fast, it is terrific for lower buildings which are often on tighter lots (and where it is harder to swing a crane with a whole module than just a panel). I wonder if modularizing it isn't a technological step too far.

More at Weber Thompson, whose own offices are, I think, one of the most important and overlooked buildings in America.

Alter Lloyd (2014 February 11) Modular construction and cross-laminated timber, together at last! Retrieved on February 14, 2014 From Treehugger.com

How Can Businesses expand without Disrupting Critical Business Operations?

When you own a business your company’s expansion can be both good and bad news. The good news is you’ll be able to serve your customers better. The bad news is you may lose some customers in the process, not to mention the effects it’ll have on employees, pedestrians and neighboring businesses. How do you expand without disrupting critical business operations?

Obviously you need an extremely detailed plan. But who has the time to be responsible for managing the expansion project, creating a safety checklist, implementing a plan of communication with employees, customers, clients and suppliers while maintaining business continuity? A more suitable approach to business expansion and its process is needed.

One of the most effective construction methods for business expansion is modular construction. With the right modular construction company many of the nuances of the expansion project are alleviated. A quality company will offer a representative to walk you through the entire project from planning to completion. This person will advise you on the design, site development, code compliance, safety and overall project management.

Another benefit to modular construction is safety. The longer a construction project is incomplete the higher the chances of injury. As time goes on the construction workers, employees and clients may become more relaxed in this extremely dangerous environment. This inattentiveness can lead to accidents. Modular construction projects are completed 40% faster with less material waste and site disturbance than traditional construction. The sooner your project is finished, the safer your working environment will be.

Modular construction avoids many construction delays because while the site is being prepared, pieces of the building are being built it the factory. With rapid completion of your project you are minimizing business operation disruptions while lessening the chance of lost business and customers.

Modular units are customizable. Floor plans can be changed to meet your specific needs and exteriors can coordinate with current structures. Options include single or multi-story units and flexibility in the type of structure you need whether permanent or temporary. Some modular companies offer special financing and leasing options which are great solutions for commercial businesses that are still growing.

When you want to expand your business without disrupting critical business operations consider modular construction for its safety, flexibility and speed.

To learn more about this process click modular office.

Revitalize Your Neighborhood with Modular Construction

A traditional construction project can take months, or even years, to complete, depending on the structure's size and purpose. For some communities, the time constraints to create a new school building, healthcare structure or office facility are too restrictive

What Is Modular Construction?

Instead of building a structure piece-by-piece on-site, modular solutions involve prefabricated sections built in a climate-controlled facility. The intended site is prepared, including leveling the land and forming a foundation. Once the foundation cures, modular sections are delivered to the site, and quickly attached to one another. A prefabricated home, for example, can be completed in a matter of weeks, not months.

Community Improvement Projects

Modular building techniques allow towns to rebuild their neighborhoods faster. With modular construction, communities have a quick, safe and smart way to boost their economy while supporting residents with needed services. For example, a community can demolish an old building to make room for a new commercial structure. A prefabricated office offers modern amenities, attracting customers and tourists. With a beautification project in full swing, residents have an improved quality of life with increased economic outlooks.

Enhancing Schools

A growing population leads to increased enrollment which means more children are grouped into one classroom. Modular schools are quickly constructed and coordinate with the school's appearance the moment they are completed. Adding more classroom space also increases employment opportunities because more teachers will be needed for the additional classrooms, along with increased janitorial staff to keep the area clean.

Disaster Recovery

Towns devastated by hurricanes, earthquakes or tornadoes require disaster recovery aide to quickly supply shelter and government facilities. Modular construction creates instant facilities for critical needs. Modern medical clinics are rapidly available to patients, while emergency housing helps those who lost their home. The government must continue to run, so modular office buildings can be used to oversee the disaster recovery. A town can start rebuilding faster with modular buildings, allowing residents to return back to normalcy.

Revitalize your neighborhood today with modular construction. From medical clinics to classrooms, modular buildings can be customized for almost any application. Whether a town needs residential homes or a complete healthcare facility, modular construction will take care of your community’s needs.

To learn more about how modular construction can revitalize your neighborhood, click here.

How to Receive ROI Faster with a New Multi-Family Housing Development

People invest in real estate and multi-family housing developments because they are known for their cash flow capabilities. These properties are also well known for the longer return on their investment because of the amount of time it takes to build.

Traditional construction methods take more time to complete a building than modular construction. Projects not completed on schedule are a huge strain on potential profits. When projects go beyond the scheduled time frame money has to be spent on items not previously budgeted for. With this type of construction project, speed is of the essence. Yet how can you ensure that your project gets completed on or ahead of schedule when you have so many variables influencing your timeline?

The most efficient way to build a new multi-family housing development is with modular construction. With modular construction, you are not limited by weather conditions because a majority of the building is constructed in a climate controlled facility. The construction timeline is shortened because the site is prepared and the foundation is laid while the modular units are constructed. Modular construction is more efficient because the modular units are tested at the factory for code compliance and quality assurance before being delivered to the site and again after installation.

The end result is a multi-family housing development that adheres to all federal, state and local quality standards, a project that is safe for the tenants and an investment property that was completed 40% faster than traditional construction. Building a new multi-family housing development with modular construction can help you receive your ROI faster.

To learn more about how you can receive your ROI faster please click here.

More School Districts Choose Modular Construction

Prefabricated Schools are not what they used to be. Advancements in modular engineering, design, and method have changed the construction industry. Modern prefabricated schools can be built with all of the same amenities of a traditionally constructed building, in less time and with fewer interruptions to the faculty and students school year.

Modular classrooms are able to deliver safe learning environments in less time. As communities grow, more and more school districts are choosing modular construction to create and maintain the proper atmosphere conducive to learning, one that will allow our children to develop and shine.

School districts may have a variety of reasons for needing the vast array of solutions that modular schools can provide. Some applications available are:

• Offices and Administrative Complexes
• Classrooms and Classroom Complexes
• Media and Library Centers
• Multi-Purpose Rooms
• Dormitories
• Restroom Facilities
• Gymnasiums
• Cafeterias

Prefabricated schools can be customized to fit various styles of learning facilities. Whatever type of school facility you’re in need of, modular construction can provide a viable and efficient solution.

Click here to find a modular solution that's right for you.

Healthcare Facilities are needed in North Dakota

The explosive growth in North Dakota has been wonderful for the economy in North Dakota. Many local mineral owners report royalties from $50,000 a month to over $100,000 an month. Some counties have increased in population by almost double. However, all this growth causes a strain on all government services and healthcare facilities. According to the New York Times, the sudden boom has positively impacted the economy, yet has put a severe strain on the existing infrastructure. This has created a strong demand for new construction.

Hospitals, medical clinics, and dental offices weren’t prepared for the sudden growth. Overcrowded waiting rooms, congested emergency rooms, and patients packed like sardines in their rooms, has reduced the personalized service these communities have become known for. CNN Money reports that Mercy Medical Center (the only hospital in Williston, ND) had to double the number of seats in its waiting room.

Municipalities, community developers, and doctors looking to either build a new structure or expand their facilities as quickly as possible should consider modular construction. The doors to their new facility can be open 50% faster than with conventional construction methods. Additionally, all of your chosen improvements can be completed with minimal disruption to your staff or your patients.

You can select temporary or permanent structures. These buildings can be designed within the specifications of your needs, without sacrificing quality. These structures will also be able to comply with the leading edge, technological advances of this industry.

The end result is a healthier environment for your patients, smoother workflow for your healthcare staff, and a less crowded building for a better overall experience for all involved.

If your community needs a healthcare facility, clinic or hospital please click here for more information.

Time Saving Tip For Commercial Construction

(Image Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/05/Modular_Construction_Timeline.jpg)

Commercial Construction today is all about reducing waste. Whether its time or energy, commercial construction has been designed around efficiency. Probably the most efficient method leading the way is modular construction. Modular Construction can be just as customized to your needs as site built construction. The image shows just how quick modular construction is over site built construction. Why?

As you can see, the first two phases of either project take approximately the same amount of time. Both projects take equally as long to design and engineer, and both construction methods are under the same strict code guidelines needing the same permits and approvals. The real benefit is seen in the second phase. While the site is being developed and the foundation is laid, the actual construction of the building is happening simultaneously off-site in a quality controlled environment. This process reduces the completion time by 50%.

Another time saving tip goes mostly unseen. Modular construction is also a safer building method. Hundreds of hours can be lost when someone gets hurt on the job site. By reducing injuries on the job the project can be completed in a more timely manner.

So whether you are building a shopping center, office building, hotel, or convenience store consider modular construction. The sooner you get your project completed, the sooner you can start receiving your return from your investment.

Modular Construction: The Standard for Efficiency

While there are many different ways to build a home, the truth is that building in a modular fashion is an option that is both efficient and environmentally-friendly. Designing a home is no easy task even under the best of circumstances, but modular construction offers design flexibility and efficiency. Buyers appreciate the many advantages that modular construction provides to homeowners.

The Benefits

There are many different benefits that modular home users enjoy. Two of the biggest benefits of modular home construction are the customization capabilities and the environmentally-friendly process.

A modular home can be custom built to the buyer’s specifications or can be chosen from pre-designed standard models and even then, each house is carefully built with the home buyer in mind. Design and construction of this type of residential structure can be completed as a turnkey operation. Contemporary designs include exteriors covered in fine-quality paneling or shake, faux stone, and even brick. Many prefabricated designs available have numerous options for interior decorating such as natural stone flooring, double-strength storm windows, and custom fireplaces. These attractive homes are the modern way to begin home ownership or upgrade an existing home.

Modular construction is also an environmentally-friendly process that helps reduce waste and pollution in the construction process. Since the buildings are constructed in a factory environment, they are capable of recycling the waste and using it for other building components. Modular homes are built using green building practices that use the least amount of materials necessary to build a solid and safe home.

Putting it All Together

In the end, there are a lot of ways to have a home built today. Modular homes are a great option for people who want speedy construction and a sturdy home that is safe and good for the environment. When you look at it from all sides, it's easy to see why so many people choose modular construction when they build a new home.

Why Modular is the Best Choice for Overcrowded School Systems

Brother Thomas Ward teaches "Introduction to Mathematics" to the first students to start class at Southern University at New Orleans

With class sizes on the rise, overcrowding has become a serious issue for many school systems in the United States. Cities are finding it increasingly difficult to handle the sheer size of the growing student population. There is a rather simple solution to maintaining the overcrowding: modular classrooms. Of course, a discussion about modular classrooms should probably first begin with what exactly a modular building is.

Modular buildings are built in an off-site climate controlled facility while the main site is prepared for their arrival. The streamlining of this process allows for simultaneous construction to take place, saving time for both the construction workers and the clients that have funded the project. Since the majority of construction takes place off site, there are minimal disruptions to the school staff and students

With that in mind, it's easy to see why prefab classrooms or a prefab school would be the perfect fit for an overcrowded school system. With their quick turnaround time and affordability, modular classrooms or a modular school is the perfect fit for a school system that has too many children and not enough classrooms to house them. Even the best teachers acknowledge that they can only handle so many children at any given moment. There's no question that modular buildings are an efficient and fast solution to school over-crowding.

Contact us today for more information on our Modular Classroom Solutions.

Five Things to Consider when Choosing a Construction Company

Whether a soon-to-be business owner is planning on hiring a large construction firm to help build the perfect dream building, or just a small team to finish remodeling an old worn down building; the contractors that are employed need to be experienced professionals that can finish the job on time and on budget. Fortunately, finding a competent crew for a new project doesn't have to be a challenge if a business owner considers the following 5 tips when looking for a contractor.

Do they have Work Experience?

Construction companies tend to specialize in certain areas of the trade. For example, one company may focus on prefab construction, while another concentrates on roofing repair. A prospective customer should only hire a company that has a long history of working on projects that are similar to the job being planned.

Can they Provide References?

A well-regarded construction company will have a long history of satisfied customers. Customers should ask for references involving clients that have requested projects similar to their own, and are willing to let others inspect the job's workmanship. For instance, if the project involves erecting a modular building, customers should ask the modular construction company for past clients who are willing to let others inspect the building for any shortcomings.

Are they Licensed and Insured?

By only hiring a licensed and insured contractor, customers ensure they are working with a professional that has passed licensing tests and has a proven work history. In the event that a licensed contractor fails to deliver on the promised goods, customers have the final recourse to file a complaint with the contractor's board.

Can they Provide Cost Details?

With so many unfamiliar tasks that need to be completed, it is very easy for an unscrupulous construction company to gouge new customers. One way customers can protect themselves from this undesirable practice is by requesting a detailed list of all parts and labor fees the company charges. This summary should include, among other information, the exact quantity and dimensions of parts, number of hours of work planned, as well as any taxes or other fees. By asking competing construction companies for their own detailed summary of parts and labor charges, customers can compare prices and inspect for any instances of overcharging.

How is their Customer Service?

Call the company's phone number to find out how well their customer service representative handles the call. Is the agent helpful and knowledgeable? Do they return calls promptly when necessary?

By following these tips when choosing a construction company, customers can expect their project to be completed professionally, on time and on budget.

For more help in choosing a construction company please click here.

Modular Construction Delivers Flexibility To Healthcare

When it comes to capital improvement projects, healthcare providers across the board are looking to reduce costs and shorten construction schedules while still seeking high-quality design and building materials. While this may seem like a lofty aspiration, modular building systems are stepping in to make it a reality.

Even just a decade ago, modular construction was seldom used in healthcare but today is picking up steam, with hospital owners turning to prefabrication for headwalls, bathrooms, or even an entire hospital. In fact, healthcare is currently the leading market sector utilizing modular construction at 49 percent, according to recent industry statistics. Furthermore, as healthcare organizations move toward more standardized environments and systematic approaches to care delivery, modular is proving to be a great fit.

For example, take the Miami Valley Hospital Heart and Orthopedic Center’s bed tower, which opened in 2010. As the first U.S. hospital to extensively apply modular prefabrication, the Dayton, Ohio, hospital’s patient rooms, exam rooms, single-toilet rooms, and patient-unit overhead utilities were all built at assembly warehouses just miles from the site and then erected on-site. The modular units worked exceptionally well with the hospital’s repetitive design, which incorporates 178 identical rooms on five identical floors.

“This degree of standardization provides flexibility, allowing functions to shift from floor to floor and reducing the need for patient transfers,” explains Ryan Hullinger, principal at NBBJ (Columbus), which designed the project. “The inpatient room dimensions, infrastructure, and environmental attributes are designed to support the broadest possible range of patient types and clinical activities, making each room capable of flexing from low-acuity use for general med/surg functions to maximum-acuity use for cardiac ICU.” The standardized components include identical room layouts so staff can quickly locate supplies and equipment, as well.

Another example is the four-story, 188,000-square-foot Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas, where instead of coordinating and installing on-site the dozens of electrical outlets and medical gas and vacuum lines required for each of its headwalls, the hospital opted to have all of the headwalls prefabricated off-site. “The efficiency gained is astounding compared to building headwalls in place in the building, where each trade is getting in each other’s way,” says Winjie Tang Miao, president, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Alliance.

In addition, Texas Health used modular components for the patient room bathrooms and portions of the HVAC and plumbing systems. “We expected less material waste and decreased total labor costs but were pleasantly surprised when the actual savings exceeded our expectations. In some cases, we had more than 40 percent savings in materials and 30 percent improvement in labor,” Miao says.

Explaining how these cases of massive savings work, Hullinger says that off-site fabrication is a great way to bypass the intricate, painstaking process of organizing all the on-site routing and installation of complex building systems. “Regardless of the degree of coordination prior to construction, when highly complex architectural and engineering systems are conventionally installed in the field, the organization is often lost, wasting time and material,” he says. "This isn’t the case with our prefabricated approach, in which a coordinated layering of engineering systems is resolved digitally in BIM. The precise relationship between the BIM model and the fabricated components provides the building owner with a high-fidelity understanding of what’s inside the walls and ceilings, which streamlines future modification.”

In fact, savvy designers are even building future flexibility right into their modular designs, as was the case with the overhead MEP racks for Miami Valley, where linear “no fly zones” were left open inside each rack in order to accommodate future routing systems and provide easy access for maintenance.

Learning the ropes

Overall, NBBJ walked away with a number of lessons from the Miami Valley project. For one thing, the factory fabrication work proceeded along at such a clip that a second fabrication site had to be leased, since the contractors weren’t ready to install the units in the field.

Applying this insight to its next modular project, a new OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital Neuroscience Institute patient tower in Columbus (scheduled to open in 2015), NBBJ was better able to manage the project timeframe to avoid monopolizing the fabrication shop as a storage area. In addition to incorporating the same modular systems used for Miami Valley, the scope of prefabricated components was greatly expanded for OhioHealth to include exam rooms, perioperative spaces, holding bays, and toilet rooms.

“There’s a long list of complex, multisystem components throughout the 410,000-square-foot tower being prefabricated, such as inpatient headwalls and the above-ceiling engineering racks in the inpatient wings and ORs,” says Tim Fishking, principal, NBBJ.

Future potential

While modular construction touts an impressive list of benefits, there’s still a certain stigma the method is struggling to overcome. “Historically, there have been some unfortunate associations with prefabricated architecture that was executed in a low-quality manner,” Hullinger says. However, this is far from what’s being produced today. Hullinger says that by standardizing components, designers and builders actually exert more control over the process, ensuring adherence to the design vision and creating greater aesthetic value.

Despite some design limitations (for example, required column work often doesn’t allow for open spaces like atriums), the ability to finish these structures with just about any exterior—be it brick, stone, stucco, or glass—means today’s modular buildings can look just like conventional architecture.

And as more modular healthcare projects are deployed, experts believe lingering doubts about the method will dissipate. Aspen Street Architects, Angels Camp, Calif., designed the Mercy Joplin replacement hospital in Joplin, Mo., relying heavily on modular construction. Founder David Hitchcock foresees a day when designing a freestanding clinic, hospital wing, or a critical access hospital will be similar to picking out a car, with all the features and amenities chosen by the end user. “I do believe that the field for modular healthcare construction is wide open at this time. There are just too many projects that could benefit from modular construction to believe that the concept could stagnate at this point,” he says.

Sidebar: Piece by piece at Parkland

While the nation’s largest public healthcare project to be built in one phase can use modular only to a certain extent, the construction management team for Parkland Health and Hospital System’s 2-million square-foot Dallas hospital regrets not incorporating more modular components. “If you do have a project that’s conducive to a lot of repetition, don’t be too conservative about how much modular can be used,” says Walter Jones, senior vice president, facilities planning and development, Parkland Health and Hospital System.

For the $1.27 billion project tracking LEED Silver and scheduled to open in summer 2014, 862 bathroom pods were built by a contractor in a nearby warehouse and then transported to the site, as opposed to going with a modular company and a remote factory location. Whereas producing all these units in the field would have created some slight variation in the dimensions, by building the pods with a single workforce in an assembly plant, the consistency of construction is much higher. “Because I know exactly how each one was produced, this will be a great aid from a maintenance standpoint, as I have the exact template,” Jones says.

Beyond the bathrooms, Parkland is using modular components for the adult patient room framework, headwalls, and rough-ins for the outlets and lines. For the patient tower, the main MEP ductwork, plumbing, fire protection, and cable trays were built in 20-foot-by-20-foot sections, raised up to the ceiling, and connected together.

“My construction manager is cautiously reluctant to put metrics on the benefits from a cost or scheduling standpoint, but quality-wise, it’s already clear that we’ve gained a big advantage from the modular construction,” Jones says.

Horwitz-Bennett Barbara (2014 January 6) Modular Construction Delivers Flexibility To Healthcare Retrieved on January 7, 2014 from Healthcare Design Magazine