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FACTORY-BUILT SOLUTIONS TO THE RACE FOR SPACE |
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By: Kathy Wilmot, Vice President
Wilmot Modular Structures
The problem: A fast-growing suburban community was having severe problems registering the ever increasing number of students being added annually - last year 1,500 students joined the district. The current inventory of 40 schools - including preschools, K-12 schools, and some adult education facilities - was unable to adequately serve its burgeoning population. An interim solution to place students at alternative sites further from the community caused children to miss valuable instructional time and parents had to take time off of work for the shuttle.
The solution: After researching their options, the school district determined that permanent modular construction would provide them with the best combination of rapid facility completion, long-term durability, and cost savings.
A design-build team was assembled with representatives of the school's faculty and facility manager as well as the major projects manager for the factory-built modular structures company. Overcoming problems caused by a relatively small land space, the solution included three permanent modular buildings - two single-story buildings and one two-story building, with a combined facility size of 28,500 square feet.
The outcome: The project team worked seamlessly within the normal flow of district operations throughout the project, and delivered a quality space-time-price efficient solution. Because the location of the new facility was directly adjacent to the school district's headquarters, the team had to be sensitive to the needs of the district's ongoing educational environment. Clear and open lines of communication allowed them to continue construction while district offices remained open. Site disruption was kept to a minimum while maintaining high levels of quality control.
While this case study actually occurred in California, it was reported last year by the Modular Building Institute as a prime example of the major race for space that looms large on the educational community's horizon nationwide. The issue of too many people for too little space confronts schools, day care facilities, churches and community centers right here in Maryland. Further, too little land, money and time compound the crunch. Clearly, factory-built solutions need to claim their well-earned status as time- and cost-efficient alternatives to conventional construction.
The old image of modular structures as "trailers" or "portables" is history. Commercial modular buildings are non-residential structures, 60 to 100 percent factory-built. They are designed to be constructed at one location then transported and used by occupants at a final destination. The transportation process itself mandates high standards of construction materials and methodology. The word "modular" describes a construction method where individual modules stand alone, are joined with existing structures, or are assembled to comprise a building complex. The shortage of land on many existing campuses is easily addressed with multi-story modular designs complete with stairwells and elevators. Nearly limitless exterior materials and architectural details seamlessly blend the factory-built components of the expanded facility with the pre-existing buildings.
Design approval by the client project manager and regulating authorities is followed by assembly of the module components at a secure climate-controlled facility. There is no down time caused by inclement weather or delays in delivery of materials. Unlike conventional construction, site development can be completed while the modular unit is under construction off-site. After transportation of the modules to a final destination, on-site assembly of modular units produces a finished building.
Modular buildings offer fast delivery, ease of relocation, low-cost reconfiguration and enormous flexibility. While these buildings are essential in cases where speed, temporary space, and the ability to relocate are necessary, factory built structures are gaining market share as the solution of choice for permanent facilities. Modern, multi-story factory-built buildings with concrete and steel floors, brick exteriors, sheet-rock interiors, windows, lighting, computer hook-ups, electrical service, plumbing, heating air conditioning and restrooms can often be constructed in half the time of a site-built building.
Baltimore area schools that have already chosen smart modular space solutions for their expansion needs include Baltimore Lutheran School, Loyola High School, Maryvale Preparatory School, and The Redeemer Classical Christian School. Clearly, this is a pro-active step in the right direction but, the growth in educational construction is just beginning.
Throughout the United States, thousands of local communities just like ours are experiencing explosions in new home construction that will ultimately create demand for more classroom space, better facilities, and more diversification in what our educational systems offer. They've become comfortable year-round solutions for the needs of schools, churches, and day care centers everywhere. |
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