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Modular Construction and its Environmental Benefits
The construction companies are applying modular construction because they are more eco-friendly designs.
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Construction Tech Review | Wednesday, February 03, 2021
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The construction companies are applying modular construction because they are more eco-friendly designs.
FREMONT, CA: In terms of environmental sustainability, modular architecture also represents a significant leap forward, with considerable potential for more responsible building materials and more eco-friendly designs.
What Is Modular Construction?
Compared to conventional buildings designed on-site, modular buildings, also defined as prefabricated buildings, are constructed almost entirely in off-site factories. Modular construction includes assembling a structure, called modules, in smaller units that can be eventually transported and assembled in a construction site.
Eco-Friendly Aspects of Modular Construction
Although the modular design has apparent advantages in worker safety, site productivity, and construction costs, its environmental benefits are also remarkable. The advantages of prefabricated construction begin in the factory, carry on to the construction site, and last throughout the building's lifespan.
Decreases Construction Waste
Since several modules are being installed simultaneously in a modular construction project, the materials that would be discarded on a typical construction site may be recycled for other projects. Traditional construction produces about 56 million tons of debris per year, and it would have tremendous environmental benefits to reduce this number.
Uses Recycled Materials
A variety of sustainable materials are utilized in modular buildings. Many of those materials are recycled, including wood, steel, and aluminum, that can be used to form siding, frames, and roofs. Innovative materials such as oriented strand board (OSB), which is made from fast-growing, sustainably sourced wood, are used by several modular construction companies. With materials in their houses, such as the Wikkelhouse, a structure constructed entirely of recycled cardboard, intended to last 100 years, modular architecture professionals are becoming increasingly innovative.
Decreases Energy Consumption During Construction
Since construction takes place in a managed factory environment rather than on-site, in making a modular structure, total energy consumption is reduced. Energy use is optimized during construction by utilizing machine learning to build an environmentally friendly building process. In addition, on-site energy costs are considerably lower, and with modular structures, construction times are significantly shortened.
Integrates Solar Panels
By considering solar energy, several modular homes are being constructed. Solar panels can power the moderate energy requirements of a well-designed modular structure, coupled with exceptional insulation. It is the case with the KODA, which has sleek solar panels installed on its roof. A simple solar set-up will avoid carbon emissions of 2.5 tons per year.