Stantec illustrates the benefits of prefab multi-trade racking.

Contractors expect to spend more time on prefabrication, according to FMI study

Get ready for a surge in prefabrication activity by contractors. FMI, the consulting and investment banking firm, recently polled contractors about how much time they were spending, in craft labor hours, on prefabrication for construction projects. More than 250 contractors participated in the survey, and the average response to that question was 18%. More revealing, however, was the participants’ anticipation that craft hours dedicated to prefab would essentially double, to 34%, within the next five years.

Building Tech

In a world first, load-bearing concrete walls built with a 3D printer

A Germany-based construction engineering company says it has constructed the world’s first load-bearing concrete walls built with a 3D printer. Züblin built a new warehouse from a single 3D print for Strabag Baumaschinentechnik International in Stuttgart, Germany using a Putzmeister 3D printer.

Adaptive Reuse

Modular adaptive reuse of parking structure grants future flexibility

The shift away from excessive parking requirements aligns with a broader movement, encouraging development of more sustainable and affordable housing.

Healthcare Facilities

A modular construction solution to the mental healthcare crisis

Maria Ionescu, Senior Medical Planner, Stantec, shares a tested solution for the overburdened emergency department: Modular hub-and-spoke design.

Modular Building

Modular building is the growing trend of assembling structures from prefabricated, interchangeable components. After being constructed in a controlled environment away from the building site—such as a factory—the components are then transported to the final location and assembled on-site.

This growing collection of news, trends, case studies, white papers, and innovative projects bring you the latest in modular design and construction.

AEC Innovators | Aug 13, 2019

Stacking the deck: Marriott International embraces modular construction

The hotel giant has more than 50 projects in the works that incorporate prefab guestrooms or bathrooms.

Modular Building | Jul 3, 2019

World’s tallest modular building rises in Singapore

The state has been pushing for improvements in construction management.

Modular Building | May 13, 2019

This Marriott is poised to take over the title as the world’s tallest modular hotel

Danny Forster & Architecture designed the building.

Modular Building | Jan 22, 2019

Folsom Hotel opens five months early using modular construction

Early check in? With modular construction the answer is yes!

Modular Building | Oct 31, 2018

Europe’s citizenM is trying to crack into the U.S. hotel market with steel-framed modular construction

Projects in several cities are in various stages of development.

Modular Building | Oct 12, 2018

DeSimone Consulting Engineers designs the tallest modular hotel in the United States

The hotel was originally designed as a cast-in-place concrete structure.

Modular Building | Sep 25, 2018

Amazon invests in a prefab module supplier

Los Angeles-based Plant Prefab targets single- and multifamily construction.

Modular Building | Aug 6, 2018

More contractors are turning to offsite production for speed and quality

Skender launches an advanced manufacturing division. Katerra ups its bet on modular. Prefabrication comes to the rescue on multiple projects.

Educare Los Angeles at Long Beach modular building

Modular Building | Aug 2, 2018

Educare Center in Long Beach uses modular construction to cut costs without sacrificing space or amenities

Dougherty was the Architect-of-Record.

Modular Building | FMI | Jul 23, 2018

Offsite construction: Why it’s important for the survival of your firm

The industry is approaching its “heart attack moment,” with so many large projects that are chronically late, over budget, and unprofitable, writes FMI Capital Advisors’ Michael Swistun.