Italian architect Dr. David Fisher announced the launch of a revolutionary skyscraper to be built in Dubai titled as the "World’s First Building in Motion.” ¹ This soon to be 1,380 foot (a quarter mile) high skyscraper is planned to first open in 2010 in Dubai with additional Dynamic Towers planned for Moscow, New York City and other cities around the world. Fisher’s rotating creation has more to it than what initially meets the eye. Not only will the 80-story movable building constantly overlook the changing views of the Persian Gulf and Dubai’s futuristic skyline, but it will also be entirely self-sustainable and very eco friendly. In order to remain environmentally conscious and financially efficient, Fisher will utilize the very best in modular building technology.

Each floor will be prefabricated in a state-of-the-art factory and then shipped to the site to be attached to the building’s core. By using such sophisticated technology, Fisher’s assembling of the quarter-mile high skyscraper will require only 80 technicians and take only 20 months, saving tens of millions of dollars. With Dubai’s unique implementation of modular building construction, modular technology has proven that it is entirely advantageous and that it is the future of building construction. Growth has been substantial within this last decade and a new “modular revolution” has sparked interest not only as an alternative but as an international trend. The modular building industry has been growing fast. According to Tom Hardiman, executive director of the Modular Building Institute, the trade organization for the commercial modular industry, commercial modular construction is a $5 billion a-year industry with permanent modular structures making up approximately $2 billion of that annual number. ²

Advantages

Modular building construction is now universally accepted as being the fastest, most cost-effective method of construction with the least liability and waste. The modular building industry is usually thought of as being divided into two segments: temporary modular structures and permanent modular structures. Temporary modular structures have been around for decades. They are the typical rectangle, re-locatable structures you have probably seen either at construction sites or on school grounds. They include buildings such as construction trailers, mobile classrooms, movable offices and other portable structures for short term use. On the contrary, permanent modular structures encompass a variety of categories.

They too, however, are segmented into two groups: commercial modular and residential modular. Commercial modular buildings include: government, military, correctional, healthcare, medical and private business while residential modular are mostly comprised of pre-fabricated and custom-designed houses and housing complexes. When comparing modular interfaces with conventional construction, it is quite clear that when going modular – the advantages simply outweigh the disadvantages many times over. There are a number of very important advantages modular has over conventional methods. Some of these advantages include:

Cash Savings

Modular construction controls cost by economizing on time, wages, materials and the environment.  Assembly line efficiencies combined with pre-fabricated materials allow for the production of a high quality product at a lower bottom line cost. The actual dollars spent for the building may be the same or slightly less than site built construction. However the cost advantage usually will come in the form of time because “time is money”. When contracting with Universal Modular Inc., contractors will save money through reduced material and labor costs, unnecessary project delays and a faster a construction time.

Time Savings

One of the most important factors of construction is meeting deadlines. Where time is money, modular construction proves to be the preferred method of choice. Tom Hardiman, executive director of the Modular Building Institute, suggests that customers experience an average time savings of 20 to 40 percent when using modular construction over conventional methods.³  As project sites are completed much faster, contractors save time and money through: reduction of interest payments, expedient design-build processes, simultaneous site construction, and faster reaction to market demand.

Controlled Environment

Roughly 70-88% of modular construction is produced in a controlled, in-house factory environment. This eliminates unnecessary anxiety and costs contributed to poor weather conditions and time delays. Once completed, pre-fabricated materials are shipped on trucks and then assembled at the site of construction.

Function and Aesthetics

Universal Modular Inc. believes that every modular building should incorporate good design and functionality. Modular designs have come a long way. By working with architects, engineers and management, Universal Modular Inc., can leverage high quality aesthetic design and functionality at an affordable price.

Safety and Security

While working in construction, everyone knows that safety and security is of the upmost importance. Modular construction greatly reduces worker liability concerns through in-house pre-fabrication and installment of construction materials. At Universal Modular Inc., the process is made simple – contractors tell us what they need and we work together to exceeding their expectations in a safe and reliable process.

Conclusion

By reviewing the advantages of modular construction, it is clear that modular construction is not only financially, timely, and ecologically logical – it is the future. Looking back, commercial modular buildings have come a long way just within these past 20 years. In the 1980’s, it was very difficult to find a crane to lift over 100 tons for structural lifting and shipping. Today, the only true limit for modular is the imagination of man. In just 20 months time, the world will soon see the first rotating skyscraper completed through the application of the latest technology in modular building construction. A story from science fiction or a modular revolution? You decide. Let Universal Modular Building Solutions, Inc., give you a free modular building quote today!

Lockheed Martin
CCS Program for the USMC/ Camp Lejeune, NC
Two buildings will be installed on the same site. These buildings were designed and built for simulated combat convoy missions. Each building is approximately 5,500 square feet and features a full 12′ floor to ceiling height to allow for head clearance for the roof gunner on the vehicles. The buildings are constructed using a steel structure for the floor, walls and ceiling. Wall coverings are taped and painted drywall in each theatre and vinyl clad drywall in all other areas. The buildings are designed to meet 135MPH winds.