Commercial modular buildings are cutting-edge facilities of the highest quality, efficiency, endurance, and design: cost-effective permanent and temporary buildings that respond to ever-changing demands. Virtually indistinguishable from site-built construction and meeting the toughest national, state, and local codes in addition to sometimes stringent aesthetic specifications, costs of a modular building are typically competitive with conventional construction. Click here to read an architect's perspective on the process.

Today, multi-story, multi-unit buildings can be constructed in a factory from steel and concrete. The units, shipped to the site either on a flatbed trailer or on their own axles and tires, are craned into place and joined on site. Once completed, these high-end, factory-built buildings are indistinguishable from site-built construction. There generally are no visual or structural differences whatsoever. Unless you witnessed the construction project, you would never know the building was manufactured in a factory. Thus, at the high end, the method of construction is not readily evident.

The advantages of modular construction remain the same, however. Commercial modular structures are built in a climate- and quality-controlled environment, where savings of as much as 50% in overall construction time are not uncommon. Below are three case studies that show just how much building you can get in a very short time-frame:

Yale University Dormitory Set in 4 Days

Four Story, Steel Charter School Built in 183 Days

Three Story, 10-Ft Ceiling Headquarers Built in 188 Days

University Dormitory Set in Four Days Over Spring Break

Permanent modular buildings serve as corporate headquarters, satellite bureaus, institutional and administrative buildings, and offices for small businesses. Modern single- and multi-story buildings can be configured in a number of ways to include independent offices, conference rooms, elegant lobbies, kitchens, restrooms, and large open spaces for cubicles or other partition systems. MBI members have architectural and engineering designs for workspace planning, storm water management, landscaping, parking, and zoned heating and air conditioning. If it is time to capitalize on company growth, modular buildings are a fast, economical approach. top

Architectural Excellence
This 25,344 sq.ft. office building occupies three floors. The use of open spaces was critical to eliminate the appearance of the modules. A full foundation creates the walk-out basement where a lunchroom and outdoor eating area can be found. Access to our state-of-the-art gym with washroom and shower facilities and a large 150 person meeting room is also through this entrance. The first floor of the building is for operations with direct access to the manufacturing facility. Ten foot ceilings and proper lighting systems ensure that space does not feel small and cramped once occupied by work stations. The second floor is for the sales group. A prominent display of a home setting, documentation, and available selling tools are displayed. A large boardroom fully equipped with the latest technology is located on this floor. A two story open vestibule area gives an appearance of space before entering the reception area and allows visibility of the vestibule from the second floor. top

Technical Innovation
The use of a laminated veneer lumber skeleton supported by a steel grid allows the flexibility of open spaces throughout our office building. A steel grid is set in the basement to support the modules on both floors. The LVL structures lay over the steel grid in all floor and roof elements. Steel columns in the modules transfer the loads from the ceiling to floor down to the steel grid. Twelve foot ceilings allow for a two foot chase where all ventilation, sprinkler, plumbing, and electrical are hidden from the finished office spaces. Self supporting steel stairways make their way from floor to floor without putting additional strain on the wooden structure and leaving the stairways open from floor to floor. To gain exterior appeal the use of large glazing was required. LVL beams were used once again to reach the spans required on the headers. top

Cost Effectiveness & Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiencies were created by using fully reflective glazing to minimize cooling requirements during the summer months. Radiant panels were strategically placed on the outer edges of the building to help minimize the effects of cold areas around the glazing. Energy efficient light fixtures were chosen with secondary purpose of minimizing the amount of glare created on the computer screens.

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