Modular Advantage from the Modular Building Institute brings you the latest news, insights and case studies from the US modular construction sector and beyond.
Modular Advantage: Sept-Oct 2023 International edition
In this Sept-Oct 2023 International Edition, Modular Building Institute chair Chuck Walen discusses the work of the organisation and its member companies in fighting the industry’s corner against a reinterpretation of the Davis-Bacon Act, a 1931 federal law requiring labourers to be paid the local prevailing wage on public works projects.
In 2022, the US Department of Labour proposed to expand the act’s “site of work” coverage to include modular construction and some offsite manufacturing.
The MBI argued that imposing Great Depression-era labour laws on the growing modular building industry was ill-suited and impractical, applying traditional construction trade rates to factory workers. The institute also argued that the federal government was overreaching in area where it does not have regulatory authority, reversing decades of legal precedent.
In his Chair’s Letter, Chuck explains the significant role played by the MBI in successfully having references to modular and offsite construction removed from the revised Davis-Bacon Act – and why this represents a major win for the industry.
Navigating earthquakes and explosions with modular manufacturing
Elsewhere in Modular Advantage, MBI chief economist Anirban Basu explores the question of whether nations are “deglobalizing” after many years of pulling closer together, and the outlook for international modular manufacturing.
Bruce Talley discusses his travels in Ukraine, and the role modular can play in helping the nation rebuild towns and cities damaged by Russia’s invasion.
Ran Yu of GLMV Architecture takes a technical look at the challenge of designing insulation for blast-resistant buildings and how thinking ahead can reduce redesign, project postponement or cancellation.
Following February’s deadly earthquake in Turkey, Dawn Killough charts the response of DORCE, a prefabricated building company that responded by providing emergency housing, as well as equipment to aid search and rescue efforts.
Delivering social value at speed
Steve Hansen writes from South America, where PROMET has built a strong reputation in providing Chile’s mining industry with key infrastructure.
There’s also a look at Latvia’s Forta PRO, which has partnered with international hotel chain Marriott to develop a prototype hotel room to showcase modular’s speed and quality of build to investors.
In addition, there’s a profile of homeD, a Vancouver, BC, modular company that aims to alleviate homelessness by developing a range of below-market housing, from emergency shelters to detached homes.
Modular Advantage also brings you a selection of case studies showing modular construction in action, from student housing in Sweden to a new school in Washington DC.
