World's Tallest Prefab Structure

OLA!!!

For about a month now, I have been doing some work at FOREST CITY. I have been learning so much about this company and learned that they are building the WORLD'S TALLEST PREFAB STRUCTURE!

B2 BROOKLYN

RENDERING OF B2 BROOKLYN

The Atlantic Yards B2 Modular Building will bring the most advanced design/build technology to the heart of Brooklyn. The 346,000-square-foot, 32-story tower will be the world’s tallest modular building. With 363 rental apartments, 50 percent of all units will be affordable to low- and middle-income households. 

MODULAR UNIT BEING FABRICATED

The project team created new techniques and systems that will allow the 930 modular units to be fabricated in a controlled, efficient environment while protected year round from the weather.  The units will then be trucked to the construction site, where they will be raised by cranes, stacked on each other and attached to the building’s steel frame. 

Given much of the work will take place off-site, there will be significant reduction in truck traffic, noise and dust in the community surrounding the project site. It is also estimated that modular construction will result in 70 to 90 percent less waste than traditional construction. B2 is expected to achieve LEED® Silver certification. (I LOVE THIS SO MUCH!!!)

Modular buildings built in New York City must meet the NYC Building Code as well as all fire and life safety codes. Modular construction is also safer to build than conventional construction: this work method reduces work at heights and removes environmental factors (including snow, ice, water and mud). On-site workers are also safer as they are primarily working within finished, enclosed portions of the building, away from the typical risks of an open construction site.

TYPICAL UNIT IN B2 BROOKLYN

B2 will have 363 residential units, 50 percent (181) of which will be low, moderate and middle-income homes. The remaining 50 percent (182) will be market rate. The units will be evenly divided throughout the building and all will have the same quality appliances and access to the same public spaces, including a fitness center, bike storage, a resident lounge, game room, yoga/dance studio and roof terrace.  Each unit will have a washer and dryer.

Now to find my DREAM MODULAR HOUSE to build on my island of O'AHU!!!

Australia’s First Flat-Pack Apartment Building

Ola!!!

In my last post entitled - FabCab | Spaces For Changing Needs, I talked about FabCab and how they design and sell Environmentally Friendly Pre-Fabricated Homes and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).

This week, I read an article on Australia's first Flat-Pack (Modular) Apartment Building on DESIGNBUILDSOURCE.COM.AU. 

Modular Apartment Building - Wayfarers

The two-story modular apartment building, dubbed the Wayfarers, will feature two, three and four-bedroom apartments and is expected to be completed in an amazing five weeks as opposed to the six months it would generally take to build such a project using traditional means.

In my post entitled - FabCab | Spaces For Changing Needs, I noted the differences between modular versus traditional building:

"Modular Homes are built to the same IRC building codes and State Building Codes that site built homes are. The difference is that all Modular Homes are built in a controlled environment and third party inspected at the factory before they are delivered to your site to make sure they comply with all local building codes. Site built homes are constructed out in the elements and only have the electrical system inspected unless you are in a code-enforced area. The contractor may say it is built to the IRC code but no one is inspecting the home to make sure it actually is. 

Modular homes are built with the efficiency and quality control only found using factory assembly line techniques. Each home travels through departments staffed with specialized workers who represent every building trade. Work is never delayed by weather, subcontractor no-shows or missing material. Materials are also protected from the weather instead of being piled outside. The average typical waste of building a 2,000 sq ft. home is in excess of 8,000 pounds. In Modular Home construction that waste can be recycled. 

Quality engineering and modular construction techniques significantly increase the energy efficiency of modular homes. After Hurricane Andrew, a FEMA study showed that system built (Modular Homes) construction stood up better than site built homes in the storm-ravaged Dade County. “Overall relatively minimal structural damage was noted in system-built homes. System-built construction provides an inherently rigid system that performed much better than conventional residential framing.” Along with quality control processes, inspectors and code compliance you are assured your new home will be every thing you dream it will be. "  - Anderson Homes, Inc. 

After writing about FabCab and their modular homes, I wondered why there aren't any modular apartments?  Be careful what you ask for!!!!

What are your opinions on modular building?

Do you think this will replace traditional building?

Let us know!!!!