Thesis: Construction Process of Modular Design with the Aid of Technology

By Robert Musial

Architects have been using modular design to construct buildings in a more efficient way by reducing the cost, shortening the time of built, and improving the quality of design. Most of modular design construction is off-site, this allows for much of the construction to be done inside a warehouse. This way the weather does not delayed the time of construction. By shorting the schedule there is a reduction in cost by not having to manage the site of the project. Designing a modular building requires a lot of mock ups and prototypes but, this ensure that workers can easily construct the design of the building which also overall improves the quality of construction. By building mock ups to for see problematic design and to build in a modular dimensions this will result in less waste on materials. Modular design is dynamic and economical for everyone that is involved in the project from the architect to the people using the building.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is one of the most powerful tools used today by providing two and three dimensional drawings, energy analysis, and even adding the four dimensions of time all with in a click of your fingertips. BIM allows for the user to create floor plans, sections, elevations, isometrics, and perspectives more economically and faster. Next, implementing energy analysis will produce an efficient and sustainable project by seeing real time analysis of building material and design layout. Lastly, the fourth dimensions of time is created by being able to demonstrate visualize graphics of construction that prevents errors during the construction process.  By including all the project’s graphics of construction it gives a valid time schedule for construction.  With using BIM in a project it will make the user a master builder by providing real time changes and fore seeing mistakes in the construction process. 

This thesis focuses on the construction process of modular design with the aid of technology for a potential infill building in Chicago, Illinois. BIM will be used throughout the thesis to provide architectural drawings, cost analysis, and energy saving to assistance on the choices of material, construction process, and design. With the aid of BIM multiple real time analysis will be documented to show the innovation of design to the infill building. This thesis shows how to the use of BIM improves modular design when implemented properly.