Modular Structures: The Future of Construction
Offering a wealth of benefits including faster turnarounds and reduced costs, modular structures represent a growing sector of UK construction. From schools to offices, shops to leisure centres, modular approaches can be used to build attractive, sustainable permanent buildings.
What are modular structures?
‘Modular structures’ is an umbrella term for all off-site construction. At the most basic level, modular construction involves creating a building in one or many pieces within a factory environment, which will be transported to a site and assembled as a finished building.
Modular buildings are made with panelised or volumetric designs. Panelised, the approach our team uses, involves creating a building from pre-built panels, while volumetric buildings are made from three-dimensional units.
Modular structures can encompass everything from small temporary buildings to permanent skyscrapers. As an approach, it boasts huge benefits compared to traditional brick-and-mortar construction.
What makes modular construction so great?
Modular structures can offer the same features and performance you’d expect from a traditional masonry building, with a wealth of benefits around speed, cost, and environmental performance. Capable of manufacturing just about any building, we firmly believe that modular structures are the future of construction.
Optimised designs
Modular structures, particularly panelised designs, can offer a huge degree of flexibility and customisation. We take advantage of this with an in-house design team delivering bespoke buildings for every client.
Durable and permanent
Permanent modular buildings can be built to offer equivalent performance to brick-and-mortar or concrete structures. This means that projects can get the benefits of modularity without sacrificing long-term durability.
Sustainability at every level
Modular structures can be built to prioritise sustainability throughout, with our team utilising timber for the panels and frames that make up each building. When working with a turnkey design and build service like TG Escapes, things like net zero and end-of-life recycling can all be considered. Manufacturing off-site in controlled conditions also dramatically reduces waste.
Quick installation process
Modular structures have a far quicker on-site installation process than brick-and-mortar buildings. This reduces the impact on a site when additional buildings are added. Working within a controlled environment for manufacturing also saves time, with modular structures accelerating project timelines by 20 to 50%.
Simple extensions
Expanding a modular structure is a simpler process than brick-and-mortar extensions. This allows for modular buildings to be built in usable stages and expanded over the years, while also saving further money and time at later stages.
Cost savings
Opting for a modular building will also provide reliable cost savings, with up to 20% reductions on average. This is thanks to the speed savings, and the smaller material waste typically associated with a modular building compared to a masonry one of the same size.
What industries are modular buildings perfect for?
Modular Education Buildings
Modular buildings are perfect for the education sector, from standalone SEND classrooms to whole school buildings. The quick on-site installation means far reduced disruption to learning and buildings that can be scheduled partially during school holidays, while streamlined extensions mean that school buildings can be simply expanded as pupil headcount grows. The amazing degree of customisation also means that buildings can be carefully tailored around the location and the needs of students.
Modular Commercial Buildings
From sales offices to restaurants, modular structures are ideal for commercial buildings. Thanks to the malleability of their design process, a huge variety of buildings can be produced through the same system. Commercial clients will also benefit from reduced costs and timelines, while also being able to target their sustainability goals throughout the design and build process.
Modular Offices
The modular approach is ideal for making attractive, functional permanent offices. Whether looking for a small area for a new business or a large tower block, modular structures can be carefully customised to meet size and layout needs, while routinely saving time and money over traditional buildings.
Modular Sports and Leisure Buildings
From sports pavilions to leisure centres, a huge range of sports and recreation buildings are ideal for modular systems. Built for high-performance permanent use, these buildings can be completely tailored around the demands of the space, whether that’s constructing dance studios or accommodating a swimming pool.
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Prioritising environmental performance in modular structures
TG Escapes offers a design and build modular solution to clients across the education and commercial sectors, designing large, beautiful permanent buildings. Across 21 years of work, we’ve long prioritised environmental performance in all of our buildings, today designing to meet net zero in operation as standard. We achieve this through a combination of a fabric-first approach, low-waste off-site manufacture, sustainable material choices, and concerted energy-saving measures across each building. We achieve this through a combination of low-waste off-site manufacture, sustainable material choices, and concerted energy-saving measures across each building.
We are also big proponents of biophilic design. This approach looks to connect the residents of a building with nature through a combination of natural imagery and elements. We meet this through a focus on natural light, views of nature, and excellent internal ventilation. The impact of biophilia can’t be understated, creating happy, healthy environments for a range of purposes.
Our modular structures
Our in-house architects can create a huge range of buildings, each starting with a free bespoke design. We take into account the precise needs of a client, their location, and their budget, working with them on an attractive and durable solution that can then be built and installed by our friendly team.
When you work with TG Escapes, everything from the initial design to the final touches is covered within an upfront price, with a huge degree of flexibility in terms of design and specification. Whatever your needs in a new building, speak to a member of our team today to find out about how our modular system can suit you.
Stunning modular buildings
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FAQs
What is a modular structure?
Modular structures are buildings that are constructed off-site, either as sections or panels. They will then be transported to the site and installed together to create a finished building. Modular buildings can range from the temporary single-block units found on building sites to the large-scale permanent timber structures our team produces, all the way up to tower blocks.
What makes a design modular?
If a building is manufactured in a controlled off-site environment before being installed as the finished product, then it would be a modular design. Modular designs can be panelised, like our timber buildings, or volumetric, where they’ll be made as blocks which are installed as standalone buildings or connected together to form a larger building.
What type of architecture is modular?
Any type! The modular approach can be used to create a huge range of building styles. Our team prioritises a timber look to our buildings, but there are very few limits visually as the buildings can be clad in a variety of finishes including brick slip, render and Neolife, to suit the location.
What are the three types of modular construction systems?
Panelised modular construction, used by TG Escapes, constructs buildings from finished panels that are connected on-site. We feel that this approach allows for the best combination of speed and customisation.
Volumetric modular construction involves creating buildings from three-dimensional units which will be transported to the site and connected. This can save time over panelised but favours more repetitive construction projects and standard designs.
Hybrid approaches are also used by some modular construction companies, utilising both panelised and volumetric elements within a single building.
What scenarios are more suitable for modular construction?
Advancements in processes now mean that modular construction is suited for a huge range of building types and industries. From schools to offices, homes to leisure centres, modular offers the same fantastic benefits.
What are the limitations of modular construction?
There are very few limitations to modular construction in the modern world. While modular tower buildings cannot currently reach the same height as reinforced concrete skyscrapers, they are capable of meeting the vast majority of building needs.
What is the lifespan of a modular building?
Modular buildings, such as the ones we produce, can be built for long-term permanent use, with ours designed for at least 50 years of heavy-duty daily foot traffic.
Do modular buildings need planning permission?
Modular buildings are held to all the same legal requirements around planning permission as brick and mortar buildings. When working with TG Escapes, our team will handle all aspects of planning permission.