What is Modular Homebuilding

Executive Summary:
Modular homebuilding is an innovative homebuilding technology that uses large, three-dimensional modules to construct homes. Modules are fabricated and assembled in a manufacturing plant and shipped virtually complete with exterior and interior finish, plumbing, wiring, and mechanical systems. After transport to the construction site, modules are set on a permanent foundation using a construction crane and finished by the homebuilder. Completed modular homes must comply with the same building codes as conventional, stick-built homes: BOCA (Building Officials and Code Administrators, ICBO (International Conference of Building Officials), SBCCI (Southern Building Code International). Modular homebuilding differs from conventional stick-built construction, which uses smaller, elemental building components that are fabricated and assembled on the construction site. The primary advantage of modular homebuilding is that most production operations are performed in the factory, allowing the builder/manufacturer to control the building environment and take advantage of modern manufacturing processes. Ideally, modular construction should produce a higher quality home delivered to the customer faster at lower cost. Modular homebuilders now produce about 3% of the single family and low-rise multi-family homes built in the U.S.

Our modular efforts continue to explore how the following lean production principles can be applied in the modular housing factory and on the construction site:
• Flexibility to meet unique customer needs – greater mix & customization
• Quality - zero defects
• Efficiency – no waste of time, materials & other resources
• Supply chain – leveraging using 1st tier suppliers

Technical Reports & Papers:
None

[download Tour of Modular Homes]

[download Tour of Modular Manufacturing]

[download Tour of On-site Module Set]

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