Modular construction is increasingly becoming the design and building method of choice in the U.S. and abroad. As misconceptions about durability and value are put to rest, more big and small companies choose offsite production for their next projects. This includes some of the biggest name brands in the world!
Time is money for any construction project, but so are materials waste and unnecessary labor costs. Organizations find that pre-engineered construction offers faster delivery times at significant cost savings, prompting them to choose this method over traditional construction. While you don’t have to be a multi-million dollar business to use prefab building, three big brands use pre-engineered construction to expand their operations.
Marriott International
In 2017, Marriott opened its first modular-built hotel, a Fairfield Inn and Suites with 97 rooms. Guest rooms and bathrooms were pre-fabricated offsite, and each portion consisted of two complete guest rooms and the corresponding corridor.
A four-story hotel property built with traditional construction methods can take up to 14 months to complete. Pre-engineered construction can trim down this completion time to an average of eight to ten months. Marriott uses similar methods for projects for barracks, dormitories, inpatient healthcare facilities, and correctional housing.
In 2015, Google announced it would build a new headquarters using pre-engineered construction. The unique design will include removable interior walls to change the shape and size of the workspace. There will also be a tent-shaped metal and glass structure to allow air and light across the campus.
Google continues to work through issues related to the land they want to build on, but they have also announced plans for an additional pre-engineered project. The company will devote $30 million to build pre-engineered affordable housing options for its employees in the pricey Silicon Valley housing market.
Office buildings are historically known as being inefficient with energy use. Many companies, like Google, are combating this by including energy-efficient elements in their new pre-engineered buildings. Some of the options that you can incorporate into a pre-engineered building project include:
CFL lighting – uses about 25% of the energy of incandescent bulbs
Energy efficient windows – Minimize solar heat in summer and maximize it in the winter
High-efficiency HVAC and programmable thermostats – save on cooling and heating costs
Motion sensor switches – turn off lights and other devices when not being used
Roofing color smart options – some roof colors better reflect heat, and others better absorb it to help snow melt faster
McDonald’s
The fast food chain McDonald’s has decided to expand its brand using pre-engineered construction. In England, the company is building new franchises with prefabrication, and the resulting buildings look the same as those of their traditionally built counterparts. The pre-engineered ones, however, are ready to open in just four weeks!
McDonald’s has some rigorous quality standards. Each module is constructed offsite under strict factory-controlled conditions. It is then transported and installed on a pre-prepared foundation. This is a process that not only lessens the time for construction but it also reduces costs and environmental impact.
K-Con, Inc. for Your Next Pre-Engineered Construction Project
Whether you are a multi-million dollar brand, government agency, or local business, K-Con can help you achieve your expansion goals. We are a Design-Build General Contractor that offers various services to local Charleston, SC businesses and organizations throughout the U.S.
K-Con delivers turnkey construction and renovation/up-fit services, site preparation, engineering, and installation of pre-engineered metal buildings. Contact us now to learn more about our services and take advantage of our quick turnaround for preliminary drawings and pricing.