As the world adapts and changes, so should our attitude towards public building construction.
From healthcare facilities and community centres to schools, colleges, and leisure buildings, there’s no denying that designing and installing a public building looks a little different to how it did tens of years ago – and this is all down to the rising pressures of budgets, delivery turnarounds, and the need for flexible and scalable building solutions.
But what if we told you that there’s a sustainable and versatile construction method that surpasses all of these challenges? For very good reason, modular (also known as prefabricated) construction has quickly become the go-to choice for local authorities, NHS trusts, education providers, and many other organisations.
Here’s why.
What types of public infrastructure are currently being built modularly?
Many wrongly assume that modular buildings are only reserved for temporary classrooms and site offices. While modular buildings are ideally suited to these uses, their capabilities make them far more than just temporary solutions.
With their flexible design options, off-site manufacturing process, and full compliance with UK building regulations, modular buildings can be built fit-for-purpose for a variety of other public applications:
Healthcare
NHS trusts and private healthcare providers frequently use modular building services to create everything from GP surgeries and pharmacies to cardiac surgery rooms and intensive care units. Modular healthcare buildings can be designed, built, and installed far quicker than traditional buildings, allowing businesses to efficiently expand when public demand is high.
Education
Many education providers trust in modular solutions for classrooms, canteens, nurseries, and more. They are fit for purpose, fully compliant, safe, and can be customised both internally and externally to visually blend with the other buildings on-site. They’re perfect for installing during the school holidays or during term-time thanks to their quick, low-disruption installation process.
Sport and Leisure
Modular construction solutions are frequently used to create sports and leisure facilities, as the robust materials used are designed to withstand high footfall and frequent use. From sports buildings and changing rooms to community centres, modular buildings provide an affordable and customisable solution for businesses within this industry.
Commercial
Many businesses, particularly those in retail, hospitality, and manufacturing sectors, rely on modular buildings to keep up with demand and growth. This is thanks to the cost savings, high quality, and versatility of modular builds. For example, modular commercial buildings can be used as offices, restaurants, workshops, warehouse buildings, and more.
If you’d like to learn more about how our modular buildings are used in real-world cases and how they benefit businesses, take a look at our case studies.
What are the long-term benefits of modular buildings for public services?
The most significant benefit of modular construction is that it is fast. However, this doesn’t mean a lack of quality. In fact, modular buildings are designed with durability, compliance, and flexibility in mind, with a focus on reducing material waste and labour cost as much as possible.
Modular buildings are expertly designed to support public sector organisations, and deliver a variety of both short- and long-term benefits.
They are built to last
Modular buildings have long been considered a short-term, temporary solution. Thankfully, many public sector businesses are starting to recognise the future-proof longevity of these buildings.
They are expertly constructed using durable, high-spec, recycled sub-assemblies in a highly controlled factory environment, meaning that they are subject to rigorous quality control processes at every stage – all while being far less expensive than traditional construction methods.
A professionally designed and built modular building can last 50 years or more with the right care. The best part? They offer the same, if not improved, performance and durability when compared to traditional brick-and-mortar buildings.
They are safe
All of our modular builds are designed and installed in accordance with the current UK building regulations and health and safety legislation, which is especially important for public sector businesses and their buildings.
From initial specifications to final installation, prefabricated buildings can provide a safe and accessible environment, allowing them to be used for various applications and use cases. For example, for healthcare clients, our modular buildings can be designed with infection control and hygiene best practices as a priority.
They are energy-efficient
All businesses are under pressure to meet environmental targets – and the sustainability of modular buildings can help.
When fitted with insulation, HVAC systems, and energy-efficient lighting solutions, modular buildings are an effective way to reduce carbon emissions and lower operational costs for any business.
Plus, their off-site construction process using recycled sub-assemblies generates far less waste than brick-and-mortar building methods.
They are built to be scalable
Whether you need to relocate, expand, or downsize your building, modular construction means you can do so with ease. Modular buildings are inherently designed to evolve and adapt with businesses, and never against.
With a modular structure, you have the flexibility to have units added, removed, restructured, or completely relocated to a new site with minimal disruption to your premises. They offer a far better alternative to disruptive, time-consuming, and costly demolition projects or full rebuilds.
They are quick to install
At Cotaplan, most of our modular builds take only a matter of weeks to install. This is all down to the controlled off-site construction process, meaning time and labour on-site is kept to an absolute minimum.
This is also what makes modular construction a superior option for the public buildings of schools, hospitals, and community-centred businesses, as they don’t have the option to cease operations when there is ongoing construction work.
Enquire for a bespoke modular design and build today
At Cotaplan, we’ve been the UK’s leading provider of modular buildings for over 40 years and take pride in every modular build we complete.
In our time, we’ve helped businesses cut their costs, expand their services, and stay on track with their environmental goals and targets – all thanks to our modular design and build service.
If you work in the public sector and need a fully bespoke and tailored modular building to meet your requirements, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our expert team to discuss your project. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
