Research, Whitepapers, & Studies
MBI maintains a collection of research papers and studies relevant to the offsite and modular construction industries. Here you'll find data, best practices, and research from thought leaders around the world.
MBI also offers members-only annual reports that provide exclusive details about the permanent modular construction and relocatable (portable) building industries. Learn more about MBI's annual reports here.
International Code Council:
FAQs on Offsite Construction
The ICC consulted with the Modular Building Institute to create this list of frequently asked questions about the offsite construction industry. Aimed at industry professionals and newcomers alike, this is a great resource for anyone interested in learning more about modular building codes and regualtions.
Year Published: 2020
Fannie Mae, NIBS, and the Modular Building Institute:
Multifamily Modular Construction Toolkit
Fannie Mae and the Modular Building Institute partnered together to develop a toolkit resource for multifamily lenders, developers, and stakeholders. The resource is meant to help lenders and developers navigate their first modular project. It includes an overview of the modular construction method, an analysis of the multifamily modular construction industry, advantages and challenges with modular construction, considerations for developers choosing modular, best practices, and a case study.
Year Published: 2020
Dodge Data & Analytics SmartMarket Report:
Prefabrication and Modular Construction 2020
This landmark study that provides a comprehensive examination of the current state and future expectations for prefabrication and modular construction. The Prefabrication and Modular Construction 2020 SmartMarket Report takes a close look at critical drivers, obstacles and benefits of using these methods, based on insight from architects, engineers and contractors already leveraging them.
Year Published: 2020
MBI White Paper:
The U.S. Construction Industry: A National Crisis Looming
With the U.S. economy strong again and unemployment rates historically low, one might wonder why anyone would think a crisis is looming. The answer is simple: there are not enough skilled workers to build all the projects that need to be built in the same manner they have been built in the past. The demand (need) for construction in the U.S. is high while the supply of labor is flat and declining relative to demand.
Year Published: 2019
McKinsey & Company Study:
Modular construction: From projects to products
For decades, construction has lagged behind other sectors in productivity performance. Now there is an opportunity for a step change: shifting many aspects of building activity away from traditional onsite projects to offsite manufacturing-style production. While modular (or prefabricated) construction is not a new concept, it is attracting a fresh wave of interest and investment on the back of changes in the technological and economic environment.
Year Published: 2019
American Institute for Architects:
Design for Modular Construction: An Introduction for Architects
Construction approaches are changing its reputation. When done thoughtfully—through early collaboration with fabricators—architects can create unique designs that address a range of client needs. From quality and safety to schedule efficiency and sustainability, modular building has a lot to offer owners and project teams. Learn more about the variety of benefits of modular construction with the new AIA Modular and Off-Site Construction Guide.
Year Published: 2019
International Code Council:
Guideline for the Safe Use of ISO Intermodal Shipping Containers Repurposed as Buildings and Building Components
More than 30 million International Organization for Standardization (ISO) intermodal shipping containers are in use around the world today. These containers were built to ISO standards and maintained to standards defined by the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) “Convention for Safe Containers.” New or used, containers are now repurposed at a pace that makes their reuse a multi-billion-dollar global industry. Containers are regularly repurposed and converted into International Residential Code and International Building Code occupancy uses. As a building material, the applications are widely diverse as is the extent to which the container is used as a structural building element.
Year Published: 2019
National Institute of Building Sciences:
Report of the Results of the 2018 Off-Site Construction Industry Survey
This document, The Report of Results of the 2018 Off-Site Construction Industry Survey, compiles the results. It provides an update on who is using off-site construction in the industry and how it is being used, as well as the perceived benefits and challenges of using off-site construction in projects. This data, as an update from the 2014 survey, will gauge how the Council can continue to educate and support the industry in implementing off-site construction practices.
Year Published: 2018
MBI, University of Utah, & Northeastern University:
5-in-5 Modular Growth Initiative
The 5 in 5 Growth Initiative: research roadmap recommendations, underpins this effort in order to determine a strategic path forward of how to increase the uptake of permanent modular construction in North America.This report covers the research results, roadmap and recommendations from this process
Year Published: 2018
MBI & National Portable Storage Association:
Safe Use and Compliance of Modified ISO Shipping Containers For Use as Buildings and Building Components
Are ISO Containers safe to use as buildings and building components? This paper will help code officials and end-users to distinguish between the various applications for modified shipping containers and to utilize these structures in a safe and efficient manner.
Year Published: 2017
Concordia University:
Modular Industry Characteristics and Barrier to its Increased Market Share
The study captured the current practices in modular construction and investigated barriers to increase modular construction share by focusing on five hypothesis points.
Year Published: 2017
Whole Building Design Guide:
Christ Hospital Joint And Spine Center
Due to the demanding need for this type of healthcare the owner, The Christ Hospital, desired the facility to be constructed as quickly as possible. This entailed looking at the project from the perspective of analyzing viable options in terms of pre-fabricating components in order to achieve the design goals of increased efficiency, schedule and quality.
Year Published: 2017
MBI:
Saving Time with Modular Bathroom Pods
This white paper focuses on the interspersion of bathroom pods into traditional construction methods. We will discuss how to know if bathroom pods are ideal for your project, the benefits of bathroom pods, and provide case study examples of successful bathroom pod implementations.
Year Published: 2016
MBI Foundation, University of Utah, & National Institute of Building Sciences:
Offsite Studies - Permanent Modular Construction: Process, Practice, Performance
The research used a case study method to compare PMC projects to traditional site built projects globally for construction performance parameters such as cost, schedule, quality, and safety.
Year Published: 2015
Resources Archives
2012
2011
2010
Offsite and Modular Construction Explained - Modular Building Institute Education Foundations
2009
2008
Designing out Waste: a design team guide for buildings- Waste and Resources Action Programme
LEED for Homes Rating System- U.S. Green Building Council
2007
Pre-Assembly Perks: Discover why modularization works- Construction Users Roundtable
2003
Planning for Construction Waste Reduction - U.S. Green Building Council
2002
1992
Building Performance: Hurricane Andrew in Florida - FEMA & Federal Insurance Adminstration