Modular construction is a trend that continues to charge full steam ahead. Once a building technique for sheds and tiny houses, the modular construction industry today is used for everything from holiday homes by the sea to CBD towers in the sky.
Cheaper, faster, safer and more sustainable than ever before, it’s also a growing industry. Many state governments are now advocating modular construction for affordable and social housing projects, the federal government has begun allocating funding to streamline approval processes, and there are roadmaps and handbooks written by leading prefabrication bodies to help build awareness. With a market value estimated at $20 billion AUD by 2030, the industry is also seen as a powerful response to Australia’s housing crisis.
But less than 5 per cent of Australia’s construction industry is modular. Furthermore, less than 5 per cent of new houses use prefabricated building methodologies. Why is the property industry not buying into this technology? Why is it so unwilling to move from traditional construction methods? And where is the fear and associated risk stemming from?
Hames Sharley researcher Talia Uylaki has set out to examine what’s happening on the ground. Looking at current attitudes to modular construction in Australia, Talia has written a comprehensive research study informed by industry surveys with built environment professionals. She considers the challenges and perceived benefits of modular as well as the strategies to help build confidence in Australia’s modular construction industry.
The key results include:
- Benefits: Standardising components and finishes, safer working environment, innovative technologies and increased time efficiencies
- Challenges: Increased transportation logistics, poor perception and hard to implement design changes during construction; and
- Strategies: Promote successful projects, upskill the workforce and implement Design For Manufacturing Assembly (DfMA) into the design phase.
The research also found that architectural firms have the power to make great change. One of these is a project focus, where successful modular projects can be shared and promoted to increase public awareness. Another is creating detailed business cases that provide life cycle impact, cost assessments, performance quality and long-term value to boost client confidence in investing in modular projects.
Furthermore, architectural firms can develop partnerships with industry organisations, peak bodies such as prefabAUS and foster inter-organisation and stakeholder collaboration when working across a modular project. State and federal government can be lobbied too to stipulate modular-only construction in some developments, along with financial incentives to ease project costs.
By working together in collaboration, with coordination and communication across all levels, we can all benefit from what is already a highly successful industry and increase the uptake - and education - of modular construction projects in Australia.
