Modular building can solve housing affordability crunch
MELBOURNE: Modular building techniques and architectural design can deliver increasingly affordable disability and multigenerational housing options.
With the number of homeless in the Valley more than doubling from 2015 to 2019 and more than 40,000 people on the public housing wait list, Phoenix needs fast and affordable housing options more than ever. That’s where modular structures can step in to ease the burden.
One of the biggest benefits of factory-built structures is speed. With units being built in a controlled environment, weather delays are nonexistent, and the construction of units and sitework can happen simultaneously. In addition, workers are using repetitive techniques and have access to any equipment they need within the factory which leads to faster build times.
Once the elements of the structure are complete, assembly can happen in a flash. By utilizing modular structures, China built a two-story 366,000-square-foot hospital to accommodate the coronavirus outbreak in just 10 days.
In addition to speed, modular construction can have many cost benefits compared with traditional building processes. As mentioned, factory-built structures are assembled at a quicker rate. Not only is that great for a project timeline, but it also decreases labor costs, too.
Prefabricated projects produce less waste by using precise designs and specialized construction equipment which results in less materials used. Less material wasted means more savings for the project. The versatility of modular structures also can create cost savings. If a developer creates an office building they later need to expand, they won’t need to create a completely new structure because it can easily be added on to or reconfigured to fit their needs.
An issue affecting the construction of affordable housing is developers are struggling to find skilled labor. Following the recession in 2008, many skilled workers relocated to other states and never returned to Phoenix. This lack of labor has made it difficult to keep projects on schedule and in turn costs developers more money.
The benefit of using a modular structure manufacturer is that they already have a skilled labor force and high-quality control procedures in their factory, which allow them to complete projects at a much faster rate than traditional building methods.
Phoenix is anticipated to grow by more than 1 million people during the next decade, and the issue of affordable housing won’t be going away anytime soon. It’s time for developers, landowners and public officials to recognize the advancement of modular construction and how it could greatly benefit the city as it continues to experience significant growth.
