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.