Episodes
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In a landscape increasingly defined by technological advancement and sustainability, the architectural realm stands on the cusp of a revolution, prominently marked by the advent and growth of modular innovation.
This installment of Built Modular, presented by BOXX Modular, delves into the transformative potential of modular architecture and its implications for the future. Host Michelle Dawn Mooney welcomes Paul Doherty, President and CEO of The Digit Group (TDG), for a compelling exploration into the intersection of architecture, technology, and modular design.
The episode kicks off with an insightful discussion on the evolving architectural landscape, where Doherty shares his unique journey in the field. The focus then shifts to the core of today's conversation: the emergence of modular solutions as a beacon of innovation in addressing architectural challenges from conceptualization to execution.
Doherty emphasizes the integration of technology to forge smarter cities and more inspiring urban experiences. The conversation navigates through the complexities of digital transformation in architecture, spotlighting the necessity of reimagining traditional processes to accommodate the digital assets and gaming engines shaping modern design and construction.
A significant portion of the episode discusses modular design's environmental and sustainable merits. Doherty champions the paradigm shift towards viewing buildings as computers, proposing a future where architecture coexists with and thrives on digital innovation for sustainability and efficiency.
The dialogue culminates with a visionary outlook on the role of modular construction in fostering environmental responsibility and design excellence. Doherty calls upon the architectural community to lead the transition towards a more sustainable and technologically integrated future, underscoring the importance of unlearning conventional methods in favor of embracing modular solutions.
"Built Modular" with Michelle Dawn Mooney and guest Paul Doherty offers a deep dive into the potential of modular architecture to redefine the industry, promising an enlightening journey for enthusiasts and professionals keen on the future of sustainable and innovative construction.
For those intrigued by the evolution of modular construction and its role in shaping tomorrow's architectural landscapes, visit boxxmodular.com for further information and insights.
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In an era where construction innovation is reshaping the industry, modular construction’s growth continues to rise.
In this episode of Built Modular, Boxx Modular’s strategic expansion into Moncton, Atlantic Canada takes center stage. Host Gabrielle Bejarano welcomes Charles Landry and Ray Girouard to explore the implications of this venture.
Bejarano, Landry, and Girouard discuss Boxx Modular's decision to open a new branch in the bustling city of Moncton, highlighting the region's potential as a hub for construction innovation.
Charles Landry, the Selling Branch Manager for Atlantic Canada, and Ray Girouard, the Senior Business Development Lead at Black Diamond Group, share insights on how they plan to integrate with the community and foster growth. They discuss the company's commitment to sustainability and innovative construction methods, such as their high-quality modular units that promise significant waste reduction and speedier market delivery.
Partnerships with local businesses and associations also form a cornerstone of their strategy, aiming to contribute positively to the region’s economic and social landscape. From addressing immediate housing needs to expanding educational infrastructure, Boxx Modular’s tailored approach seems set to address Atlantic Canada's burgeoning demands. This episode promises to be an informative guide for industry enthusiasts and professionals alike as Boxx Modular paves the way for the future of modular construction in the Maritimes.
For more details on their services or to engage with their team, visit boxmodular.com.
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BOXX Modular, a leader in temporary space solutions, proudly announced the successful completion of a groundbreaking project in collaboration with the University of Delaware. The project involved designing and installing a state-of-the-art modular building on the prestigious Star Campus in Newark, Delaware.
The impressive single-story structure spans 27,000 square feet, making it the epitome of temporary on-campus leased space. Comprising thirty-two skillfully built modules, the sophisticated building weighs over 1 million pounds and occupies nearly two-thirds of an acre. It features three distinct wings dedicated to scientific laboratories, classrooms, and relocation flexibility, seamlessly connected by a central corridor.
The construction of this unique modular building commenced with the installation of engineered foundation piers, providing solid support for the entire structure and its access systems. Meanwhile, expertly crafted 15-ton modules were meticulously manufactured at an off-site factory and transported a combined distance of 25,000 miles. Once delivered by truck, the on-site assembly of these modules created an awe-inspiring building.
After completion of the foundation, a meticulous process of seaming the building sections together commenced, connecting to underground utilities and ensuring the installation of fire alarm and sprinkler systems. Additional construction tasks included pouring concrete sidewalks and constructing handicap-accessible entrances. The building received a meticulous fitting of cutting-edge laboratories, classrooms, and offices, with special attention given to the wet labs used for biology and chemistry. These labs feature precise yet flexible systems for ventilation, plumbing, electrical work, piped gases, and adaptive technological connectivity, meeting the stringent requirements of the university.
The Star Campus at the University of Delaware is renowned for its dedication to innovation, cutting-edge research, top-notch academics, community service, and economic development. Understanding the need for a superior temporary modular building, the university placed its trust in BOXX Modular’s proven expertise and outstanding reputation to deliver a customized solution that meets their exact requirements.
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Modular office buildings are built with speed and efficiency, saving you money with lease and sale options. For temporary office space we have portable office buildings. Our custom prefab office buildings will meet your long-term space needs.
Modular office buildings are unique because they are not built at your site. Building prefabrication happens at an off-site factory. Then, delivery of the code-compliant office takes place once your site is ready. Prefab office buildings can range from 200 square feet to more than 30,000 square feet.
Need a custom modular office solution? We are here to help!
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Portable classrooms and modular buildings are cost-effective building solutions to accommodate long-term and temporary classroom overcrowding problems. Expansion of conventional school buildings can be costly and time-consuming. Temporary portable classrooms can be installed on-site in just a few weeks, and permanent modular classroom buildings can be installed on-site up to 50% quicker than conventionally built classrooms.
Need a custom modular classroom solution? We are here to help!
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The U.S. education system continues to face a wide variety of challenges, from slashed budgets, student poverty, to deteriorating facilities, and more. In this video, we’ll review the major hurdles facing education and how modular structures can help remediate them.
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Calgary, Alberta – The Heart and Stroke Foundation is committed to helping and treating those affected by heart disease and strokes. In a recent episode of Built Modular, Gabrielle Bejarano sat down with Berscht, the Director of Health Policy and Systems Division, to discuss the importance of stroke awareness.
Berscht revealed that she has a personal connection to heart disease and strokes, having lost both of her grandparents to the conditions when she was a child. She emphasizes that strokes are a health condition that can affect anyone and highlights the vital importance of identifying the signs of a stroke with the helpful acronym F.A.S.T.
F.A.S.T. stands for Face, Arms, Speech, and Time, and Samantha explains that it is an easy way to remember the signs and symptoms of a stroke. She emphasizes that calling 911 immediately is crucial, as every second counts in the event of a stroke.
Samantha is proud to work for the Heart and Stroke Foundation and believes strongly in its mission. The Foundation has been able to effect positive change and offers vital support to those affected by heart disease and strokes.
Understanding what a stroke is and how to identify the signs is crucial to better treating and understanding it. The Heart and Stroke Foundation is an excellent resource for those seeking help and support. For more information on stroke symptoms and how to act F.A.S.T., visit the Heart and Stroke Foundation website, https://www.heartandstroke.ca/.
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Plant turnaround is an essential process that should not be overlooked and should be performed regularly to preserve the lifespan of a plant. It can increase the overall production performance, improve product quality, reduce unit downtime, and drastically reduce the plant’s operating cost. It typically takes place twice a year (in the spring and fall) and may span a few weeks, months, or even years, depending on the line of work and how efficient the process is.
In another episode of Built Modular by BOXX Modular, host Gabrielle Bejarano chatted with Errick Small, a BOXX Sales Representative, about plant turnaround and how BOXX Modular can use their expertise to provide a safe and efficient modular solution.
They discussed:
1) Meaning of plant turnaround and challenges this necessary process presents.
2) What sets BOXX apart in making the process an easier one?
3) The timeline for getting your new building project done.
As mentioned by Errick, “We are providing temporary modular buildings that can be used in a variety of different functions such as office space, launch room space for craft workers, washroom facilities, laundry facilities, and we are able to rapidly deploy this equipment in a safe and economic setup for the client.”
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Today, Indigenous people are dependent on funding and grants to run various programs within their communities. For Black Diamond Group (BDG) in Canada, their focus is on helping the Indigenous prosper through mutual partnership.
So, why is it important to keep Indigenous groups at top of mind? As exclusion was formerly the norm, Canada now embarks on a unique political landscape where reconciliation is at the forefront, and Black Diamond Group is leading the way.
Host of Built Modular, Tyler Kern, welcomed Black Diamond Group’s Scott McLeod, Senior Indigenous Relations Advisor, and Jonathan Stringer, VP of Marketing and Community Relations to the show to discuss:
1) Why reconciliation matters and how it isn’t something that’s “scary”
2) How best to form a trusting relationship with Indigenous communities
3) Black Diamond Group’s guiding principles and its opportunities for Indigenous partnerships
McLeod spoke in-depth on the importance of building trust in his relationships, based on a sacred Indigenous tradition:
“We’re always guided at Black Diamond… by the Seven Grandfather Teachings. These traditional teachings have been passed down generations in Indigenous communities across the country and is a concept we aim to embody in everything that we do.”
As a leading company focusing on reconciliation in Canada, McLeod and Stringer encourage other Canadians to join Black Diamond Group in making everyone’s community better, including Indigenous people. Visit Black Diamond’s corporate responsibility page for more information.
For more episodes of Built Modular, visit their show page on MarketScale.com or subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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Although natural disasters are not a daily occurrence for everyone, an event such as a hurricane, tornado, earthquake, or fire is a situation that it’s important to be prepared for. MPA Systems modular construction by BOXX Modular is set up to quickly and efficiently provide secure buildings in the event of a disaster. Host Tyler Kern spoke with David Strong, Branch Manager at MPA Systems, about the unique use-case of their modular buildings during disaster recovery.
As a fifty-year-old company, MPA Systems has a plethora of experience in its pocket and now designs, builds, and delivers modular financial institutions, “…to lease, to sell, as well as our product offering in the disaster recovery environment,” said Strong.
MPA Systems focuses on building financial institutions which can be delivered and set up in less than 72 hours throughout the United States. Strong noted, “all financial institutions are required to have some sort of disaster recovery plan or business continuity plan.” While this can include an advertisement for another branch nearby, the financial institutions must offer an environment for their customers to continue to operate.
“What we offer for that is we have an annual program, similar to insurance, but they pay us an annual fee that in case they have a natural disaster…we get them a building with all the equipment up and running in less than 72 hours,” Strong explained.
These buildings are unconventional from typical modular frames. They are designed specifically with financial institutions in mind and often include a bullet-resistant teller window, a deal drawer, a night depository, and a receiving safe. All of which allow for walk-in and drive-through customers. Given the lack of functional utilities in disaster zones, MPA Systems also offers a power generator, computers, and satellite connectivity.
Strong emphasized, “So, it’s truly a deliver on-site plug and play.”
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The process of procurement is often a lengthy, confusing, and full-time job. To help ease this process, TIPS-USA acts as a cooperative to help net procurement. Jensen Mabe, VP of Sales for TIPS-USA, sat down with host Tyler Kern to discuss the cooperative purchasing process and how they remain a nationally leading co-op in that space.
Formed in 2002, TIPS helps make purchasing personal. In cooperative purchasing, Mabe said, “We put out category IDIQ contracts where vendors respond and go through a reward process.” Not only does this take the burden off the public agencies, but Mabe emphasized, it allows entities to jump straight to the table of negotiating pricing, saving both time and money.
Free to public agencies, membership with TIPS assures that you are receiving quality vendors at great prices. Membership, Mabe said, is easy to join via an online membership form or inter-local agreement/board resolution form to complete. The process is fast and easy and helps serve industry sectors such as education, government, and non-profit.
TIPS-USA works with BOXX Modular to establish prices ready to go. Mabe stated that building these permanent and portable modular buildings receives two parts in the process, procurement prior to work and JOC.
With 12 program managers located across the nation available to work with vendors and members, TIPS managers assist in case BOXX, or other vendors, outsell their contracts, and helps ensure pricing is reviewed and compliant with the contract.
With the myriad of protective measures, Mabe emphasized that TIPS acts as “a helping hand” in the job-order contracting process. All TIPS employees are active and engaged with their clients and Mabe emphasized the personal aspect of care, “If you pick up the phone and call TIPS it’s not a voice messaging system that you get.”
Working with BOXX Modular, and the growth that has come for TIPS following this partnership, has helped TIPS continue growing, Mabe said. TIPS helps save time and money while providing access to quality vendors with a vast degree of transparency. To learn more information about TIPS-USA, visit www.tips-usa.com.
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Mark Meyers, General Manager of Marketing Services at BOXX Modular, joined host Daniel Litwin for a deep dive into the world of modular construction with a focus on designing, developing and delivering the individual modules that make up a complete building solution.
From the decisions that impact the quality and feasibility of a modular building to the strategies that work best for specific industries, Meyers and Litwin left no stone unturned.
For starters, what are the main differences between a modular building process and traditional construction?
“I would say the primary difference of modular versus conventional construction is that the buildings are constructed in sections in manufacturing facilities that may not be anywhere near the end construction site,” Meyers said. “Once these modules are constructed, then they’re delivered to the site, they’re put together, and they form a very similar building to a conventional structure.”
As for similarities, Meyers said both processes share a commonality with the types of materials used in construction. “The building materials, whether it be wood or steel or concrete, even the finishes, the windows, the doors, plumbing, fixtures; they’re all very much similar, if not the same, in both.”
And, while a customer may turn to modular construction for time and cost considerations, Meyers said that doesn’t reduce quality. “Our base spec is not going to provide you with something that’s going to fall apart in a year. That’s not the way that we operate. We make sure that our base spec supplies the quality that any customer requires. But there are always upgrades that can be put into any building.”
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The idea of using modular materials for quick construction dates back centuries. On this episode of Built Modular, host Daniel Litwin welcomes Carl Bennett, General Manager of Contract Services for Vanguard Modular for an in-depth discussion of the history of modular construction and how it’s evolved in the modern era.
Carl Bennet has been in the business for 50 years and is one of the original members of the Modular Building Institute, a legacy organization of dealers, manufacturers, installers, and other industry professionals.
Commercial modular, prefabricated, or relocatable construction has historical examples from ancient Rome to covered wagons and premade houses for British colonies. The modern era of modular construction took off in the early 20th Century and was largely driven by residential housing. In the WWII era companies used relocatable construction to house workers, putting towns up almost overnight.
From these origins, modular construction has boomed over the last fifty years, expanding from residential units into commercial buildings like offices, laboratories, and schools. These market forces brought enhancements and innovations to the typical modular building offerings. Engineers and architects began to see the opportunities and pushed the industry forward. “Just about anything you could envision construction-wise was now transitioning from site-built conventional to modular,” Bennet said.
Bennet’s deep and detailed knowledge of the industry history gives him valuable insights into where the business is heading in the future. From the impact of Covid on quick construction for health care facilities to meeting the needs of the housing industry, modular construction will continue on a path of growth into new market sectors. “Modular has come such a long way in its construction, in its acceptance, and in its use,” Bennet said.
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Manufacturers around the world are searching for ways to lower costs, add efficiency and produce more consistent parts the first time – and digital twins might be the ideal solution.
The creation of a digital twin to a real-world part allows for effective digital twin modeling that empowers manufacturers to, in a virtual space, see how each process in the manufacturing chain will impact parts or how a part will perform in the physical world before a significant investment is made in producing that part at scale.
That process brings benefits to a variety of industries, including modular construction. On this episode of Built Modular from Vanguard, host Daniel Litwin invited Nathan Yorgey, President of North America Operations at CyberTwin, to share his insights and give listeners a better idea of exactly how digital twins are elevating the way the world approaches manufacturing.
“Sometimes, it’s almost scary how accurately artificial intelligence can predict what’s going to happen in the real world better than humans,” Yorgey said. “[Add virtual reality and augmented reality], and you now have an entire ecosphere of technology at your disposal to take the physical world, virtualize it, and then be able to run scenarios, run models, or, more importantly, just expose your connected sensor data on top of that virtual model for a host of use cases.”
In modular construction, digital twin modeling has been used to understand what finished spaces are going to look like, envision a part’s journey through the manufacturing process, and more.
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Modular buildings have many applications. They can be an excellent temporary solution, including for school districts. Mark Meyers, General Manager of Marketing Services for BOXX Modular, shared insights from his many years of modular experience on how schools can use portable classrooms.
Why do school districts need these solutions?
“There are four primary reasons,” Meyers said. “Easing overcrowding, consolidation, renovations, or demolition and new construction.”
Those drivers have remained consistent for the market. Meyers did note that the pandemic impacted space for schools due to a need to have fewer bodies in classrooms.
Meyers also discussed how modular classrooms can have all the same features as standard construction, including technology integrations, security features, and more.
“These are real buildings and have structural integrity, plumbing – everything in conventional construction,” he added.
Meyers also took listeners through the process of purchasing and installing modular buildings at schools. He spoke about the need for building to code, which varies from state to state, and pulling permits. The product is then built to specifications and delivered to the prepared site for installation.
After it’s up and functional, facility managers can handle the standard maintenance. Vanguard becomes involved with more significant issues. “With leaks or other bigger issues, we’ll assess the situation and are extremely responsive to client needs,” he said.
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A potential Vanguard Modular customer may know they need a modular building but not what the process will entail.
When Vanguard constructs a modular building, it runs through these steps in the construction process: design and engineering, permitting, manufacturing, delivery, set, seam and utility connections, power up and turn on water, installation of decks, steps, ramps and other elements, the final punch list, and final occupancy.
Vanguard has a history of success not only in modular buildings, said Jody Werner, the company’s Senior Vice President of Sales, but also in guiding clients through those processes.
“You can have experience based on years, but you also have to experience based on knowing what the right things are to do through the process, the right steps to take, and communicating things to the customer to make sure there are no surprises,” Werner said. “The other thing is they want to know they’re entering into an agreement with a company that has the financial wherewithal to see the project through. That’s very important in today’s day and age.
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Cooperative purchasing provides seamless purchasing and consistency for the relationship between Vanguard Modular Building Systems and its customers. Chris Brown, an Area Sales Manager at Vanguard, popped by Build Modular to discuss this solution for financing modular projects.
“Cooperative purchasing is a procurement system,” Brown said. “It’s where a lead agency advertises for bids, awards a master contract to the vendor and for the prices to be extended to the registered members of the cooperative, and then notifies the members of the contract awarded. The registered members then contract directly with the vendor for their own needs subject to the specifications of the master contract.”
So, if cooperative purchasing provides cost savings and reduces the hassle of the “go-it-alone” bid process, how does one become a member of such a cooperative?
“Joining a cooperative is very easy for membership,” Brown said. “Most of the cooperatives, all you have to do is fill out a one-page application. There are no fees and no downside. It’s a simple as sign up and begin ordering.”
Any public entity can become a member of counting organizations, such as municipalities, public and charter schools, colleges and universities, nonprofits, and governmental agencies.
Many cooperatives are available, but one commonality they share is eliminating the need for businesses to go through the lengthy bidding process, which is the ultimate win.
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A lack of information about today’s modular buildings can lead to a lot of confusion, misconceptions and missed opportunities regarding a sustainable, cost-effective solution. BOXX Modular's Senior Vice President of Marketing Services, Mark Meyers, joined the Built Modular podcast to dispel myths and provide answers that people should know when it comes to modular construction.
While many people might think the typical way of obtaining temporary modular construction is to lease a building, Meyers noted many custom and permanent modular building projects are purchased. An even lesser-known, but viable option for people is "lease to own."
“This option is a fantastic way to reduce the amount of initial capital that needs to be put out for a project and still end up owning the building,” Meyers said.
What about costs for the various options for a typical new modular building project? The base leasing price ranges from $1-$1.50 per square foot per month. This pricing does not include delivery, on-site assembly or project completion tear-down costs.
“Customized modular projects tend to be purchases,” Meyers said.
Those ranges can vary depending on the myriad factors of the design needs. Meyers provided a ballpark purchase price range between $100-$300 per square foot, not including delivery and installation.
Meyers said modular construction shares many similarities with traditional building processes. However, unlike conventional construction projects, modular buildings are built in sections off-site and delivered to the site destination and then assembled. And one of the things Vanguard Modular does is keep track of each state’s building codes and regulations.
“All of those calculations are carefully put together and engineered in the design of the building to ensure that the structure does meet those codes before those buildings are moved out from the manufacturing facility and installed on the site," Meyers said.
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An August 2019 report from the commercial construction index showed the modular construction industry doubling its growth over the past five years.
Now an $8-billion industry, modular construction is experiencing even more growth with the onset of the pandemic, with the need for health centers to build quick and efficient solutions for emergency treatment facilities and other solutions growing.
What considerations drive the costs associated with these projects, and how do businesses strategize around these costs? Paul Lubertine, Director of Construction & Contract Services for Vanguard Modular Building Systems, provided his insights.
Many of the project inquiries Lubertine said Vanguard’s recently received have been COVID-19-related, including educational systems trying to plan out various overflow and social-distancing scenarios.
“We are getting orders, putting in units, and doing projects now for schools, but it’s early in the process,” Lubertine said.
While education, commercial and industrial office space, and healthcare are industries doing a lot of business with modular construction these days, the cost factors vary.
“Building use, equipment and utilities required to run the equipment within those buildings determine the cost differences of a project,” Lubertine said.
“The cost drivers that affect a project primarily are building size, its application—whether it’s a typical office, or a classroom, or a laboratory, or a medical facility. Building specifications will impact the cost. But these costs can be controlled through offsite design and manufacturing.”
Looking at all of the cost variables, Lubertine pinpointed a building site’s location and condition as the one that loomed the largest over a project.
“Each site is different and has its own set of challenges,” Lubertine said.
Topography, building placement (is it freestanding or connected to another building), and access to utilities all possess varying cost implications.
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The saying, "one size does not fit all" certainly applies to today’s school classroom needs, where many factors go into consideration in designing the building. Flexibility, affordability, and ease of construction make modular buildings a perfect fit for schools looking to expand capabilities or just trying to get the ideal classroom size that meets their budget requirements.
Jody Werner, Sr. VP of Sales for Vanguard Modular Building Systems, LLC, provided insights into the factors that determine school classroom building sizes.
“One of the trends we see now, due to space, is people starting to go vertical with the classrooms,” Werner said. “They’re adding a story.”
But what determines the classroom size? Werner said it depends on many different factors. The type of school (private, charter, public, higher-ed) plays a role in class size needs, as do varying state regulations and requirements.
“At a Montessori school, for example, you have to have 40 square feet of space per child versus 20 square feet per child for a public school,” Werner said.
How much available space does a school has to use on the property is another factor in building decisions.
If a school requires a small classroom, Werner said it could be built and installed much faster than a larger class. But if larger is needed to get the job done, Vanguard’s modular solutions still provide a quiet and controlled environment.
While schools can opt for a standard modular classroom build, customization is available.
“Normally, a building comes with an eight-foot ceiling. A lot of times, you’ll have a customer that wants a nine-foot ceiling,” Werner said. “Some rooms require lab space, and you need fume hoods and exhaust systems in there. But, really, it’s about the material used in the building.”
The Vanguard sales team works with customers to guide them through the process of getting the exact classroom to meet their needs.
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