The modular construction industry has seen record growth since 2015. Once considered a lower quality and cheaper alternative to traditional construction, the industry has found a new life as a viable solution to construction needs.

Modular consultant Weston Bierma highlights the benefits of the Burlingame Ranch Phase 3 project in Aspen, Colorado

When Matthew Laase, Principal at Jackson | Main Architecture, worked overseas doing architecture projects in Russia and the Middle East, he noticed something about housing—it was readily available. Once returned to the U.S., Laase saw America’s housing shortage as a problem worth fixing. He spoke about these housing challenges and what he sees as the solutions with Mainstream Modular’s Tyler Kern.

“Many of the communities that I’m involved in are tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands behind in providing the kind of housing they really need to support the community,” Laase said. “It’s something I think about whenever we do a project. It’s how can we make sure that these are good, livable spaces because people need places to live.”

Jackson | Maine is a champion of modular construction because of its value to a housing project. Modular makes these construction projects more accessible to the industry, from workforce housing to affordable homes.

Laase said it could be easy to get lost in the headlines on some advantages modular construction brings to a project. It is critical to keep one thing in mind—modular is a different building approach with a different perspective in design.

“Decisions have to be made much earlier in the process,” Laase said. “You can’t have the project under construction and decide, ‘I want to change out all the sinks or something else.’ Or ‘I don’t like these refrigerators; let’s get a different one.’ All those decisions are made early in the process.”

Another thing Laase said a builder must consider with modular construction is some costs require payment upfront due to the nature of the work done ahead of assembly. Paying 50% or more of the expenses at the beginning of the project may be a new procedure for some builders. Planning and researching a modular construction project is the key to success.

Joe Uhlenkott discussed modular’s growing popularity in the commercial housing market.

Joe Uhlenkott discussed modular’s growing popularity in the commercial housing market.

Mahesh Parekh discusses modular construction’s role within today’s hospitality industry.

Troy Bean discusses specific engineering aspects of modular construction.

Mahesh Parekh discusses modular construction’s role within today’s hospitality industry.

Michael Merle discusses the increasing demand for modular construction in commercial building projects.

Troy Bean discusses specific engineering aspects of modular construction.