Modular Construction for Architects, Engineers & Design Professionals
Are you an architecture, engineering, or design student interested in innovative building practices? The Modular Building Institute (MBI) is the Voice of Commercial Modular Construction and wants to help build the future of modular building by providing opportunities to connect with leading modular architects and designers globally and provide a wealth of resources tailored to your educational and career development needs.
As modular construction gains momentum globally for its efficiency and sustainability, there is an increasing demand for skilled professionals capable of designing these innovative structures. MBI, the world's largest trade association for the commercial modular construction industry, offers extensive resources specifically designed to help you navigate and excel in this field.
Scholarship Opportunities
Each year, MBI offers multiple scholarships to students pursuing careers in construction, design, and/or engineering. In addition, MBI awards scholarships to select students who wish to attend MBI's annual trade show and convention, World of Modular.
Design Guide for Modular Construction
In 2019, MBI worked with the American Institute of Architects to help develop a new guideline called “Modular and Off-Site Construction Guide.” This Guide serves as a primer on the modular approach for architects and includes:
- Value and opportunities of modular design
- Pitfalls designers should be wary of
- Case studies that exemplify successes and obstacles
Featuring interviews and input from architects and modular building experts around the country, this AIA resource is an outstanding primer for architects and design professionals interested in designing for modular construction.
Stay Updated with MBI’s Comprehensive Learning Resources
READ: Modular Advantage Magazine
Dive into MBI's magazine, Modular Advantage, to stay on the cutting edge of modular construction. This publication is frequently updated with the latest industry trends and insights penned by seasoned professionals from across the globe. It’s an invaluable resource for students eager to understand the evolving landscape of modular construction.
LISTEN: Inside Modular Podcast
Explore modular construction in depth with MBI’s podcast, Inside Modular. Each episode features detailed interviews and case studies with leading companies worldwide, offering you a behind-the-scenes look at innovative projects and the experts who bring them to life. This series is perfect for gaining a broader perspective on the modular building process and learning from international experts.
EXPLORE: MBI Research and Publications
Enhance your academic and practical knowledge with MBI’s extensive library of research, whitepapers, and modular building studies. These publications are crucial for students and professionals alike, providing scholarly insights and data-driven analyses relevant to the modular construction industry. Whether you’re writing a thesis, preparing for a project, or simply looking to learn more about modular construction, MBI’s research materials are an essential tool.
Best Practices for Modular Building Designers
Once the scope of the project is understood, architect Eric Parnell says it is important to understand any and all codes and/or ordinances that need to be followed.
"Local codes and ordinances are another area to research and pre-plan to comply or work with local authorities to ensure a smooth project. Local codes and ordinances can vary wildly by different jurisdictions and can include setback restrictions, location of occupancy restrictions, exterior finish requirements, and even an outright ban on modular construction (as discussed earlier). To avoid endless delays and issues, a meeting with local authorities to discuss the plans and to show that a custom modular does not resemble a ‘traditional portable building’ can ensure the process can move forward before being offered to a client.”
Eric Parnell, architect and founder, ArchBoutant LLC
Once it is time for to begin construction, architect Nick Gomez underscores the need for a finalized design.
“It is essential to establish a design freeze using a modular construction approach because of the factory production schedule and process. Design changes late in the process can be costly and require permit drawings modification and impact factory shop drawings. Unlike traditional construction processes, up-front decision-making and design freezes are critical for the modular construction processes, leaving little time in the schedule for alterations.”
Nick Gomez, Principal, Director of Modular Design & Construction, AO
During the construction phase, architect Kendra Halliwell recommends spending time at the factory to ensure compliance and to see the process firsthand.
“The Architect/Engineers of Record and contractor/installers on site are ultimately responsible for closeout and affidavits. Our General Contractor maintained oversight of the boxes in the factory during construction, with observation from the representative of the state review board. The mechanical contractors also visited the factory, so they were aware of exactly what was coming to the site. Additionally, visiting the factory allowed the team to see the benefits of modular construction firsthand: construction jobs are created in a safe, controlled work environment, with less waste and no exposure to weather.”
Kendra Halliwell, AIA, LEED-H AP, Associate Principal, Practice + Design Team Leader, ICON Architecture
Engage and Learn with MBI
The Modular Building Institute is not just about connecting professionals; it’s a gateway to enhancing your knowledge and skills through various events, webinars, and online resources. As we look to establish and expand the modular construction industry, MBI provides a unique platform for students to explore and secure opportunities in this emerging area. Join MBI today to take full advantage of our offerings and elevate your potential in the modular construction industry.
By engaging with MBI, you’re not just building a network; you're building a promising future in one of the most dynamic sectors of construction. Embrace the opportunity to learn, innovate, and lead in modular construction with MBI’s support.
Modular Architects in Their Own Words
MBI's Inside Modular podcast explores the entire process of modular construction through interviews with industry experts. Recent interviews have included:
Inside Moxy Oakland: The Bay Area's Newest Multi-Level Modular Hotel w/ Lowney Architecture
Ken Lowney, president and CEO of Lowney Architecture, discusses the design and construction of Oakland's newest hotel, Moxy Oakland Downtown. This award-winning project is the first modular development for Moxy Hotels. Ken talks about the hotel itself, some of the challenges his team faced during the building's construction, and how he was able to leverage its modular design to create a unique rooftop lounge.
Ken also discusses his team's long history with modular construction and shares his advice for young architects looking to get started with modular building design.
Designing One of the Nation's Largest Modular Multifamily Housing Structures w/ Cuningham
Dave Stahl, associate AIA and principal at Cuningham, joins MBI's Inside Modular podcast to discuss the design of Pentagon Village Apartments, a 244,000-sqft rental community in Minnesota which is on track to become one of the largest volumetric modular multifamily developments in the country. Dave talks about how his designs evolved from the project's inception, how the building's modular construction influenced the façade, and his team's goals for the project in general.
Dave also gives advice to designers entering the industry and looks ahead to the possible modular design trends of the next few years..
Recommended Articles & Resources for Modular Architects
Samantha Taylor: Leading the (Modular) Design of Tomorrow
“With modern technology and the way we’ve all embraced things like BIM, file sharing, and video conferencing since COVID, it’s easy to collaborate with companies in Austria, or Singapore, or anywhere else in the world.”
Greg DeLeon: Military Engineering to Modular Design
Greg DeLeon, a structural engineer at ISE Structural Engineers in Temecula, California, can tell you not only how large a beam needs to be to support a house, but also how much explosives you’ll need to take it down, thanks to his unique combination of professional and military experience.
Jamie Metzger: From Construction to Apparel and Back Again
Growing up in a blue-collar city like Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, it’s no surprise that Jamie Metzger spent some time working labor jobs on construction sites. It’s one of the most common summer jobs in the city. But that’s probably the last predictable thing about this particular story.
How to Fail at Delivering a Modular Project
Success can involve challenges, but it often provides valuable experiences that can be replicated in future endeavors. Failures can be categorized into two types: those that transform into successes through perseverance, and those that are resolved during the project but serve as valuable lessons to avoid in the future. Here are a few to avoid on your next project:
Fire Station 67
Fire Station 67 is designed in direct response to the climate crisis, the increasing threat of wildfires, and the needs to the Rancho Mission Viejo community. Prefabricated off-site and assembled from 10 modules, the 4,667-square-foot fire station is a modular design with the ability to reconfigure the structure into something new in the future.
Repetition, Communication, and Coordination: A QSR Case Study
This modular QSR project seemed like any another modular building on the surface. Inside, it was anything but. The rhythm, the desire to iterate and repeat, and the constant communication between all parties made it stand out.
Modular Architecture: Thinking Outside of the Box with Sara.Ann Logan
At a time when modular buildings were still seen as less than by many in the architecture and construction world, Sara.Ann Logan took the plunge and partnered to launch a design-build firm that designed, built, and constructed modular high-end single-family homes. But even though she could see the value of this kind of construction, it wasn’t universally accepted.
UNB OCRC Student Competition Crowns 2023 Offsite Construction Design Contest Winners
For the third year in a row, the University of New Brunswick’s Off-Site Construction Research Centre presented its Off-site Construction Student Design Competition. This competition—presented again by the Modular Building Institute (MBI)—showcased student design innovation in modular, prefabricated, panelized, and other types of off-site construction and featured entries from dozens of interdisciplinary collegiate teams across Canada.
Modular Hotel Room Prototype Shows Global Investors the Speed and Versatility of Modular Building
Forta PRO, a modular building manufacturer in Latvia, recently partnered with Marriott to create a modular hotel room based on their current design, Moxy. The two connected in Copenhagen in 2019, when Marriott expressed an interest in creating a mock-up to show investors the quality available through modular construction techniques. The stand-alone room is currently located in Frankfurt and is available for investors to visit.
The Envelope Insulation Design Regarding Material Alteration Compatibility in Blast-Resistant Modular Buildings
BRM envelope insulation configuration has impacts on construction schedule time, potential redesign workload, and market competitiveness, which are all critical to the success of a BRM project.
From a Basement Office to a Team of Modular Experts
Starting from his basement office 17 years ago, Dean Dalvit leveraged his professional training in both architecture and engineering to develop EVstudio into a fully integrated architecture and engineering firm. Now with over 120 staff members in four offices, including two in Colorado, one in Boise, Idaho, and one in Austin, Texas, the firm is a regional design powerhouse.
Roland Brown Looks Back at His Story of Success in the Modular Construction Industry
Roland Brown never imagined his life would turn out this way. He retired from a nearly 50-year-long career, starting off as a draftsman in the mobile home industry to becoming the VP of Design and Development at Ramtech Building Systems, Inc., a design/build construction company in Mansfield, Texas with its own modular
manufacturing facility.
Is Modular + Scattered Sites a Solution to the Affordable Housing Crisis?
Dean Dovolis of DJR Architecture is turning the worlds of modular construction and affordable housing on their heads. Instead of stacking modules to create one building, he’s using them to build 16 buildings on 16 different sites, all on the same production run. And he’s partnering with a public agency to do it.
What’s Next: UNB OCRC Student Competition Previews the Future of Offsite Building
That modular building hasn’t already gained more U.S. market share is a source of bewilderment to many. Though the technology has been around for more than 70 years, modular building in the U.S. has never gained as solid a foothold as it has in other societies. But it’s time may finally be here.
G-Pod Americas Designs Modular Buildings for the Future
That modular building hasn’t already gained more U.S. market share is a source of bewilderment to many. Though the technology has been around for more than 70 years, modular building in the U.S. has never gained as solid a foothold as it has in other societies. But it’s time may finally be here.
Ingenious System Assembles Buildings with Concrete Superstructure in Weeks
That modular building hasn’t already gained more U.S. market share is a source of bewilderment to many. Though the technology has been around for more than 70 years, modular building in the U.S. has never gained as solid a foothold as it has in other societies. But it’s time may finally be here.
ReMo Homes: Building Futuristic Homes for the Present
That modular building hasn’t already gained more U.S. market share is a source of bewilderment to many. Though the technology has been around for more than 70 years, modular building in the U.S. has never gained as solid a foothold as it has in other societies. But it’s time may finally be here.
Vertical Engineering: Inside the World’s Tallest Modular Building with MJH Structural Engineers’ Michael Hough
“101 George Street has moved modular into the realm of skyscrapers and is achieving recognition alongside some of the world’s most amazing new tall buildings,” says Michael Hough.
Designing for a Sustainable—and Modular—Future
A conversation with Stuart Cameron, Managing Director and MMC Lead at SCMS Associates/The HIve Group, about the current state of modular and offsite construction in the UK.
A New Off-Site Standard in the Works: Energy Efficiency, Water Conservation and MEP Systems
If owner/developers start by thinking offsite construction is simply traditional construction with a factory, they have it backwards. Here’s the correct way to start.
Learn More with the Modular Building Institute
With a plethora of industry events, webinars, online resources, and a quickly growing international membership that represents architects, designers, and every other specialty within the commercial modular construction industry, the Modular Building Institute is the world's leading association of modular construction professionals. Join MBI today to take advantage of all our member benefits and take your modular design career to the next level.