Articles tagged with "modular-construction"
Photos: Student-led robotic assembly methods enable fully reversible modular construction
The Arkhive project, developed by master’s students from UCL’s Bartlett School of Architecture Design for Manufacture program, showcases an innovative approach to sustainable building through robotic fabrication and fully reversible modular construction. The full-scale pavilion uses an adaptable timber truss structure assembled with industrial robotic arms, enabling high precision in creating complex geometries. Central to the design is a "material bank" concept, where every component retains its structural integrity for future reuse, promoting a circular economy by allowing disassembly without material loss through reversible joinery systems like cam-lock connections instead of traditional fasteners. The pavilion’s unique structural logic features two twisting timber arches braced by robotically assembled ladder-beam trusses, demonstrating how standardized modular components can form stable, non-linear architectural forms. The project was a collaborative effort involving academic tutors, students, and structural engineers, ensuring both design innovation and technical feasibility. Initially exhibited at The Bartlett’s Fifteen Show in 2024, the refined final version was installed at St Andrews Bot
roboticsmodular-constructionrobotic-assemblysustainable-buildingtimber-structuresreversible-joineryarchitectural-roboticsHong Kong installation turns 9,200 recycled masks into public seating
The Tidal Stories installation in Tai Kok Tsui transforms over 9,200 recycled surgical masks collected from a local elderly care center into durable public seating, creating a unique urban space that reflects more than a century of coastal and urban change. Designed by Design PY, the helical structure serves as a physical timeline, illustrating Tai Kok Tsui’s evolution from a coastal settlement to an industrial and reclaimed area. Engraved metal tabletops embedded in the installation depict historical shorelines and industrial zones, linking the neighborhood’s maritime and workshop heritage with contemporary public use. The project emphasizes sustainability and community engagement through its modular construction, allowing easy transport and future reuse of components as individual chairs. Small solar panels provide off-grid lighting, highlighting renewable energy applications in public spaces. Collaboration with local printmakers introduced traditional letterpress techniques into interpretive panels, strengthening cultural heritage connections. Co-creation workshops involving community members and elders helped shape the design and materials, fostering a deeper public understanding of circular production and environmental responsibility beyond
recycled-materialscircular-economysustainable-designsolar-energypublic-installationmodular-constructionrenewable-energyThis self-sufficient modular house was 3D-printed in just one week
The Tiny House Lux, designed by ODA Architects in Luxembourg, represents a pioneering advancement in 3D-printed modular housing. This non-towable tiny house, spanning 47m² with a narrow and elongated layout, was constructed with remarkable speed—the core 3D printing took just one week, and the entire project is expected to be completed within four weeks. The design emphasizes functional efficiency, featuring a living area, kitchen, bathroom, technical space, and bedroom, all arranged to maximize usability within its compact footprint. Sustainability and self-sufficiency are central to the project. The house employs solar-powered underfloor heating using film technology, with solar panels on the roof supplying electricity for heating and other energy needs. The 3D-printed walls incorporate eco-friendly insulation, reducing emissions compared to traditional construction methods. Its modular design allows for assembly, disassembly, and potential relocation, minimizing demolition waste and supporting circular construction practices. Additionally, the house is designed to integrate harmoniously
energysolar-power3D-printingmodular-constructionsustainable-architectureunderfloor-heatingeco-friendly-materialsCanada Must Treat Timber Like Cars, Not Cabins - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica argues that Canada faces a dual crisis: a severe housing shortage compounded by an aging construction workforce, alongside the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from building materials. Traditional construction methods relying heavily on concrete and steel contribute significantly to embodied carbon emissions, which occur before buildings are even occupied. To address both housing affordability and climate goals, the article advocates for a shift toward mass timber construction combined with modular manufacturing. Mass timber, exemplified by Milwaukee’s Ascent tower—the world’s tallest mass timber building—offers a sustainable alternative that sequesters carbon, reduces construction time, and is scalable for urban housing needs. The author emphasizes that Canada should treat housing construction like advanced manufacturing, producing apartments and mid-rise condos in factories using standardized designs and mass timber panels or modules. This industrial approach can overcome labor shortages, accelerate delivery by 30-50%, and drastically cut embodied carbon emissions. Policy recommendations include government acting as an anchor customer through multi-year contracts, creating pattern books of pre
energymaterialsmass-timbermodular-constructionembodied-carbonsustainable-buildinggreen-constructionMass Timber As Lego: Flyvbjerg’s Modularity Meets Low-Carbon Construction - CleanTechnica
The article explores the potential of mass timber, particularly cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glulam beams, as a transformative material in low-carbon construction, framed through the project management insights of Professor Bent Flyvbjerg. Flyvbjerg, known for his research on why large projects often fail due to delays and cost overruns, advocates for modularity—using repeatable, scalable components akin to Lego bricks—to improve project reliability. Mass timber’s factory-made, standardized panels fit this modular approach, allowing for faster, more predictable assembly on site, which aligns with Flyvbjerg’s principles for successful megaprojects. This modularity not only reduces embodied carbon compared to concrete and steel but also supports scalable, efficient construction methods that can address housing shortages and climate goals. The article also highlights Flyvbjerg’s emphasis on reference class forecasting (RCF) to counteract optimism bias in project planning. By comparing new mass timber projects to a growing database of similar completed timber
energymaterialsmass-timbermodular-constructionlow-carbon-constructioncross-laminated-timbersustainable-building-materialsMass Timber’s Edge: Smaller Crews, Quicker Builds, New Floors Above - CleanTechnica
The article highlights the growing advantages of mass timber construction beyond its well-known environmental benefits, emphasizing its significant time and labor efficiencies. Mass timber projects consistently demonstrate faster build times and require smaller, more specialized crews compared to traditional concrete construction. For example, the nine-story Stadthaus building in London was erected by just four carpenters in 27 working days, whereas a comparable concrete frame would take five to six months with much larger crews. Similarly, Vancouver’s 18-story Brock Commons timber tower was completed in 66 days by nine installers, while a concrete equivalent would need six to eight months and 40 to 60 workers. Other projects like Minneapolis’s T3 office and Melbourne’s Forté building reinforce these findings, showing that mass timber can halve construction schedules and reduce onsite labor by 60 to 70 percent. This shift in construction methodology also changes workforce demands, concentrating labor into fewer, higher-skilled roles such as CNC operators, timber framers, and 3D modelers who work
materialsmass-timberconstruction-technologysustainable-buildingmodular-constructionCLTgreen-building-materialsBuilding The Workforce & Finance Tools For Mass Timber Growth - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica discusses the critical non-technical barriers to scaling mass timber construction in Canada, emphasizing workforce development and financial tools as key areas for growth. While mass timber’s engineering, fire safety, and carbon benefits are well established, challenges remain in economics, institutional support, and skilled labor availability. Unlike Europe, which has coordinated training programs producing skilled workers in digital modeling, CNC operation, and modular construction, Canada lacks a national strategy to develop the specialized workforce needed to support mass timber’s expansion. The article calls for collaboration among educational institutions and industry to train thousands of workers over the next decade. Financial volatility, particularly lumber price swings, presents another major hurdle. Unlike concrete and steel, mass timber lacks established futures markets or hedging mechanisms, making project costs unpredictable and deterring developers. The article stresses the need for financial instruments, long-term contracts, or vertical integration to stabilize input costs and enable reliable pricing. Insurance is also a concern, as Canadian insurers remain cautious due to limited data
materialsmass-timbercross-laminated-timbermodular-constructionsustainable-buildingconstruction-technologytimber-industryAdhesives, Dowels & Veneers: The Industrial Choices Shaping Mass Timber - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica explores the industrial choices shaping mass timber production, emphasizing how different manufacturing methods impact costs, carbon footprints, and building applications. Mass timber, including cross laminated timber (CLT) and laminated veneer lumber (LVL), is gaining attention for its climate benefits by sequestering carbon and replacing more carbon-intensive materials like steel and concrete. Two primary production methods dominate: traditional sawn lumber, which involves milling logs into boards that are dried and glued into layers, and veneer-based processes, where logs are rotary peeled into thin sheets for laminates. The sawn lumber approach leverages existing sawmill infrastructure but suffers from inefficiencies and waste, while veneer-based production achieves higher material utilization and uniform mechanical properties but requires large, capital-intensive facilities. The article also highlights emerging hybrid and experimental manufacturing techniques that blend veneer and sawn lumber or use oriented strand and parallel strand products, often incorporating robotics and automation to reduce labor and waste. A key industry debate centers on the use of adhesives
materialsmass-timbercross-laminated-timberlaminated-veneer-lumbersustainable-constructionwood-technologymodular-constructionFrom Sawmill To Module: How Canada Can Scale A Low-Carbon Timber Value Chain - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica outlines Canada’s significant opportunity to develop a low-carbon mass timber value chain by integrating the entire process from forests to finished housing modules. Rather than simply expanding sawmill capacity, the strategy involves linking sawmills, energy systems, adhesives, logistics, and modular factories into a cohesive industrial ecosystem. According to the Transition Accelerator’s roadmap, this integrated approach could grow the Canadian mass timber market to $1.2 billion by 2030 and $2.4 billion by 2035, potentially capturing up to 25% of the global market. Achieving these targets requires addressing several critical bottlenecks in feedstock supply, energy-intensive drying processes, petrochemical-based adhesives, and carbon-heavy logistics. Key challenges include the mismatch between sawmill outputs and the specific lumber dimensions and moisture content needed for engineered wood products like cross-laminated timber (CLT), leading to supply shortages and higher costs. Drying lumber to the required moisture level is energy-intensive, often relying on
energymaterialssustainable-energytimber-industrybioenergymodular-constructionlow-carbon-materialsHow Carney’s Housing Initiative Can Industrialize Canada’s Mass Timber Sector - CleanTechnica
Canada faces a severe housing affordability crisis intertwined with its climate commitments, as traditional construction methods using concrete and steel lock in high greenhouse gas emissions. Mark Carney’s Build Canada Homes initiative aims to address both issues by targeting the construction of 500,000 new homes annually using modular and mass timber (cross-laminated timber, CLT) methods. The initiative pairs this target with low-cost loans, equity support, and standardized design templates to promote faster, higher-quality, and more sustainable construction. However, past attempts at modular building in Canada have struggled due to focusing on detached homes, fluctuating demand, and slow, inconsistent municipal permitting processes. The article argues that for the initiative to succeed, the government must act as a stable, guaranteed buyer by issuing multi-year offtake contracts to modular and CLT factories, ensuring steady demand and high factory utilization. It should also publish pre-approved design templates for mid-rise multifamily housing (six to twelve storeys) and fast-track permitting for projects using
materialsmass-timbermodular-constructionprefabricationsustainable-buildinghousing-innovationclimate-targetsCanada’s Timber Moment: CLT As The Fastest Lever for Housing, Jobs, & Climate - CleanTechnica
The article highlights Canada’s urgent need to address two converging crises: a chronic housing shortage and the construction sector’s significant greenhouse gas emissions, particularly from embodied carbon in materials like cement and steel. Traditional site-built construction is insufficient to meet the growing demand for housing, with annual completions far below the 500,000 units needed to stabilize affordability. Additionally, the heavy reliance on concrete and steel in mid-rise residential buildings locks in millions of tons of carbon emissions before occupancy, exacerbating climate challenges. Cross laminated timber (CLT), combined with modular manufacturing, is presented as the fastest and most effective solution to simultaneously increase housing supply, create jobs, and reduce carbon emissions. CLT is a renewable, carbon-storing material that enables industrialized, factory-based production of housing components, significantly accelerating construction timelines by 30 to 50%. This approach transforms housing delivery from a labor-intensive craft into a scalable manufacturing process. Initiatives like Mark Carney’s Build Canada Homes plan and the Transition Accelerator’s
energymaterialscross-laminated-timbermodular-constructionembodied-carbonsustainable-housingclimate-changeRolls-Royce advances for modular nuclear reactors to power 3 million homes
Rolls-Royce SMR has been selected to build the UK’s first fleet of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), aiming to install up to 3 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power capacity using its 470 MWe reactor design. Each SMR unit is designed to generate 470 megawatts of low-carbon energy, enough to power over a million homes for at least 60 years, with the entire project expected to power around 3 million homes. The reactors are pressurized water reactors with a projected operational life of at least six decades. This initiative represents the first new nuclear power station design and build in the UK in over a generation, offering a modular, factory-built approach to simplify construction, reduce costs, and avoid delays common in traditional nuclear projects. The modular design involves building 90% of each SMR unit in factory conditions before transporting them for final assembly, necessitating a robust and geographically diverse supply chain. Rolls-Royce SMR has signed a
energynuclear-powersmall-modular-reactorsRolls-Royceclean-energypower-generationmodular-construction10 nuclear reactors to power 500,000 US homes with 1,000MW output
The article discusses Westinghouse’s plan to deploy 10 large-scale nuclear reactors in the US, each with a 1,000 MW output, aiming to power approximately 500,000 homes. This initiative aligns with former President Donald Trump’s executive orders issued in May 2023, which call for quadrupling US nuclear capacity by 2050 and initiating construction of 10 full-sized reactors by 2030. Westinghouse, leveraging its AP1000 pressurized water reactor design—already licensed and operational globally—is positioned as the primary candidate to fulfill this mandate. The company highlights its modular construction expertise, a stable supply chain, and lessons learned from previous projects, including the Vogtle site in Georgia and deployments in China, as key advantages. Discussions with the US Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office are ongoing to secure necessary financing. The estimated cost for building these reactors could reach $75 billion, excluding potential overruns, which remains a significant hurdle given the US utilities’ cautious stance after past cost escalations. Westinghouse faces limited competition in the large reactor market due to political and strategic factors sidelining foreign vendors and other domestic companies focusing on small modular reactors (SMRs). Meanwhile, SMR developers like NuScale and Holtec International are gaining attention by promoting smaller, modular units that can be co-located to match the output of large reactors with potentially lower costs and faster construction timelines. Despite the executive order’s emphasis on large reactors, SMRs are emerging as a competitive alternative in the evolving US nuclear energy landscape.
energynuclear-reactorsWestinghouseUS-energy-policymodular-constructionAP1000-reactornuclear-capacity-expansionModular Construction Enables Efficient & Affordable Housing
energymodular-constructionbuilding-efficiencyrenewable-energyaffordable-housingNRELair-leakage