Is modular construction the future for the UK built environment?

Modular construction is becoming an increasingly popular approach to completing cost-effective, convenient and environmentally friendly build projects in the UK.

According to Datacity, the modular construction sector is growing at 5.7%, has a £12.5bn turnover and investment worth £131.2m. So what’s the modular hype all about and what does the future for modular construction look like?

What is modular construction?

Modular construction involves off site prefabrication of some or all sections of a building under controlled factory conditions, ready for on-site assembly of a complete building.

In the UK, modular construction is now widely used for a range of sectors including education, healthcare, hospitality and commercial.

The benefits of modular construction

Faster construction

According to the Modular Building Institute, modular construction projects are completed 30% to 50% more quickly than traditional construction.

Because modular construction can be undertaken off-site while the foundations and groundworks progress on-site, there are no delays waiting for the construction site to be ready. The off-site controlled factory conditions also allow for work to continue out of standard working hours, facilitating continuous production.

Modular construction is also unaffected by factors such as poor weather, skills shortages on construction sites and site logistics, delivering a faster turnaround.

Quality control

Tighter quality controls can be applied when building off-site under factory conditions, often with skilled operatives focussing on specific areas of the build. This leads to fewer errors and defects and therefore higher quality standards.

Environmental impact

The off-site construction process generates less waste and reduces on-site disruption, pollution and noise. The insulation materials used on modules provide energy efficiencies and lower carbon emissions. Modules can be repurposed by being disassembled and relocated which reduces depletion of raw materials.

UK modular construction trends

Modular construction is being increasingly adopted across many sectors due to its cost savings, sustainability, versatility and quality control. Three sectors that stand out for modular innovation are the public sector, hospitality and leisure, and affordable housing.

The housing market is a front runner for adopting modular construction for the likes of modular apartment units in Ascotand student housing, and the developments outlined in three larger scale case studies cited in a recent Conference Paper, ‘Modular Construction Innovation in the UK: The Case of Residential Buildings’.

Challenges of modular construction

Industry reluctance to accept change

Construction is a traditional industry, so change is often met with resistance. A University of Manchester’s research blog tackles this and other issues when appraising the challenges in the delivery of modular housing.

Logistics

The transport of modules can raise sustainability challenges, particularly for long journeys using fleets of vehicles to accommodate difference sizes of structures. Adherence to local and national transport regulations is also an administrative and time-consuming factor of modular construction.

Design limitations

In some cases, restrictions on the height, width and depth of modular structures can create design limitations on larger buildings. The installation of modules within the specifications of structural drawings can also impact modular design.

The outlook for modular construction

Advances in technology are revealing the potential of modular construction. BIM (business information modelling) is as an effective tool for developing digital mock ups of structures to gain a rounded view of a project, and AR (augmented reality) now has a role in the co-ordination of on and off-site elements of the build.

Modular construction has the credentials to be a future solution for the provision of quality housing, once it is more widely accepted by the industry, as mentioned above.

A property journal for RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) states that only modular approaches will be able to meet housing needs.

In summary...

Centre for Construction Best Practice (CCBP) Membership

The CCBP is dedicated to driving positive change across the UK’s built environment. Our members are influencers and innovators who regularly contribute evidence-based research and reports around aspects of the sector that are driving change, such as modular construction.

If you have research to share, please get in touch. As a member of the CCBP you can help us to drive change that will benefit stakeholders within our ever-evolving sector.

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