Eisa Lee, the "Bilingual" Architect

One of the best advantages that Eisa credits to her success is the ability to design for fabrication, rather than the purpose of only designing. Part of this is due to the fact that she started out working in modular at the factory level. After becoming entrenched in the factory ins and outs, Eisa is now able to speak two languages: architecture and fabrication.

“Instead of joining the team [at Z Modular] as an architect designing a modular building, we were actually part of the team that would take the design, redo it so that it was ‘fabricate-able’ and produce the shop drawings to make these modules,” she said.
“So we fully understand the requirements of the factory, but we also know how important design is, because we speak the language of architects.”

At XLA, Eisa and her team of five, including her husband Jayden, work on two different types of projects: designing modular buildings from scratch as the architect on record and acting as modular consultants between architects and modular factories for ongoing projects.

As a specialized modular consultant, she can relay the important requirements and considerations needed so architects can design modules to spec. Two big examples are transportation and installation, where modular designs must take in wind factors when craning over the module to the site and any shaking that the modules might experience during the trip over to the site.

What it all boils down to when working in modular, is a deep appreciation for all the trades, says Eisa.

“Architects can specify where the tile is going to start, and how it’s going to look like,” she said. “But we never think about ‘where do you start the first drywall? Is it going to be vertical?’ So we only say drywall on studs 16 inches off center. Architects may not care if you’re using four by eight foot sheets, or four by ten sheets for that matter...things that you would never think of if you’re in the traditional world. But we are thinking to that level now as we are doing the shop drawings.”

She says which materials are used, the efficiency of said installation, and layout of materials done by carpenters are all detailed layers that require review.

In many instances, XLA works with modular factories and architecture firms to conduct feasibility studies to see if designs can be turned into modular. With these clients, the firm works up production drawings up to a certain level of detail that can be translated both back to the architect and out on the floor as well.

These drawings are detailed down to the specific station or stage of production for each module, much like a car assembly line — but details are dependent on each factory, as some may not need drywall layouts or down to the paint color for each wall.

“These drawings are really geared toward what they need or want to see,” says Eisa.