Can Prefabricated And Modular Homes Make Construction More Sustainable?
Pre-fabricated dwelling, East London, UK. (Photo by David Potter/Construction ... More Photography/Avalon/Getty Images)
From the heavy use of raw materials to logistics and transportation, there are numerous challenges facing the construction sector in terms of becoming more sustainable
One possible solution could be more prefabricated and modular homes, which are built offsite, with less material going to waste and faster construction times.
The Canadian prime minister Mark Carney recently announced a new housing plan, which includes $25 billion in debt financing and $1 billion in equity financing to innovative prefabricated-home builders.
According to a briefing note on the plans, modular housing can reduce construction times by up to 50 per cent, costs by up to 20 per cent, and emissions by up to 22 per cent compared to traditional construction methods.
Dr. Renuka Thakore, a lecturer in environment and sustainability at the University of Central Lancashire said modular housing is a 'game-changer for a greener future' in an email.
Dr. Thakore added modular homes minimise waste by reducing errors and excess materials, because they are constructed in controlled factory environment.
She said their adaptable designs meet diverse customer needs, from affordable housing to emergency shelters, thanks to their quick assembly.
'Many modular housing projects use recycled waste materials, cutting landfill waste and conserving resources,' said Dr. Thakore.
'Their compact designs also make them perfect for repurposing in future projects, extending their lifespan.'
'Modular housing is the way forward for developers to align with the circular economy principles: reuse, refurbishment, and recycling. Prioritising these is the key to more sustainable housebuilding,' she added.
The chief executive of the Navana Property Group, Harry Fenner said modular houses are usually built off-site in a controlled environment with sustainability in mind in an email.
Fenner added in some cases, this type of building can reduce material waste by up to 90 per cent when compared to the construction of a traditional property.
He said the excess materials can also be cleared up and taken back to the manufacturer's factory to be broken down and reused rather than being thrown away.
"Because modular houses are prefabricated, it also means there is less waste on site which reduces the disruption to the environment too,' he told me.
"Modules for the house are almost always assembled off-site and transported via road in bulk which also means there are less vehicle trips so less carbon emissions.
"Typically, many companies that build modular houses try and source materials locally so this can also reduce fuel consumption, so suppliers aren't having to drive a long way to the modular housing site,' added Fenner.
And it is not just the construction of new properties where modular techniques can be applied. Modular concepts can also be used to refurbish or redesign the interiors of existing buildings.
Benjamin Urban, the chief executive of interior modular construction business DIRTT, said the construction sector is starting to see a shift in how projects are delivered in an interview.
Urban said this shift is being caused by a number of factors, including the need for faster lead times, a shortage of skilled labour and a growing recognition that a more circular approach is needed, with more materials being reused, instead of going to landfill.
And he emphasised how interior modular construction can help repurpose existing buildings.
'In North America particularly, the decline in the commercial office and real estate market has forced developers and building owners to think differently,' Urban told me.
'It no longer makes financial sense to tear a building down and build a new one. And the more materials we can divert away from landfill and put back into the circular economy, the better it is for the environment and ultimately, the customer.'
Urban added he has seen a growing interest in more circular approaches to construction over the last five years, and modular costs have fallen to a point where it has become less expensive than building something new.
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