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Modular Building and Offsite Construction - Frequently Asked Questions
Q - How much of a building can you construct offsite?
A - As a rough rule of thumb, probably around 70-80%. Items such as cladding, M&E services, fixtures and fittings can also be manufactured in the factory should the site allow.
Q - Is offsite really quicker than a traditional build?
A - It can be considerably quicker if the site has substantial groundworks or a demolition to undertake. The repetitiveness of the building also dictates the manufacturing process. One major advantage of modular building regarding time is that work can continue in the factory while foundations are being laid. When they are ready to be erected, the prefabricated units can then be delivered to site either flat packed or as volumetric modules, and put into place in a very short period of time. A building can be watertight extremely fast, meaning that interior fixtures and finishes can continue while the cladding is finished outside. Because offsite is less dependent on the weather, most projects are completed on schedule, or even ahead of time. There are many influencers on the overall programme, but generally, yes offsite is faster than traditional.
Q - How sustainable is modular building?
A - We are committed to bringing our carbon emissions to zero and ensure that our operations have a minimal affect on the environment. By selecting materials that consume the least amount of energy to produce, and reducing the number of deliveries to site, we believe that our zero-emissions goal is achievable.
The energy performance of our construction methods and the thermal performance of the walls, floors and roofs of the buildings we create are of the highest standard and exceed all building regulations they require. This not only means that our modules are made in a way that minimises waste and carbon emissions, but also that the units have an extremely long life, and can be reused or recycled when they are no longer needed.We believe that we can now recycle up to 95% of a Hybred module and place it back out on hire with a completely different external facade.
The Office for National Statistics showed that over 70% of all UK waste emanated from mineral and construction waste in 2002/2003. The use of modular pods has the potential to reduce the generation of waste to less than 1% of the materials used. We are close to achieving this, as proven by our recent work at Havering College, where we were able to recycle over 92% of the waste produced.
In the buildings we produce, we are able to offer other sustainable options, such as rainwater harvesting and sun tubes, or the planting of trees on site to offset the emissions produced by our delivery trucks.
Q - How do Modern Methods of Construction affect the final building’s appearance?
A - The preconceptions of old modular buildings are no longer relevant - many people still see prefabricated buildings as the boxy classrooms of the post-baby boom era, but today‘s panel-based, steel framed and volumetric solutions are able to achieve an enormous range of styles and aesthetics.
The more recent introduction of hybrid corner-loaded units means that design flexibility is greatly increased. The combination of panelised, volumetric and steel frames within a structure allows the possibility for non-rectangular modules, corner-to-corner glazed walls, internal atria or balconies and more. These developments have projected modular buildings to the forefront of contemporary design.
Q - Is offsite more cost-effective than traditional techniques?
A - The benefits of a factory environment ensure adherence to schedules, quality control and fast construction onsite, all of which contribute to cutting costs that are traditionally caused by delays, human error and weather conditions. Time is money, and most modular builds are completed on time and on budget - the biggest overspend in any type of construction tends to come from extended schedules, and offsite effectively cuts out this issue.
Q - What are the latest energy and water saving products?
A - We are currently integrating many newer environmental technologies into our solutions, such as dynamic breathing wall systems, green sedum roofs etc.
Modular buildings are able to accommodate most technologies, and if a client is looking for a reduced water concept, then Terrapin will design a solution to meet those requirements. Similarly, if the client wants the building to incorporate greywater or rainwater recycling systems, these can also be integrated within the concept.
Some of these questions were asked by MMC students from the discussion forum on the Terrapin Facebook Page. If you'd like to add a question regarding any of Terrapin's products and services, please do so either via Facebook, Twitter, or by email. The most useful questions will be periodically added to this FAQ page for the benefit of all our readers.
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