The Modular Building Institute (MBI) holds its World of Modular conference and trade show every year. Founded in 1983, the Modular Building Institute has long been the world’s largest trade association for the commercial modular construction industry. The association’s first annual conference was held in Las Vegas in March 1983. MBI paid tribute to its first 40 years at the 2023 World of Modular with numerous history-oriented exhibits and presentations featuring past and present members.
The conference ended with the presentation of MBI’s 2023 Awards of Distinction. The Awards, which celebrate outstanding achievements in modular building and design, recognised dozens of diverse projects from North America, South America, Australia, South Africa and Europe. The Awards of Distinction represent the highest honours awarded in the modular construction industry.
This year, Modular Site Solutions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Container Conversions, was awarded two honourable mentions – one for the National Health Laboratory Services Testing Facility in Mseleni, KwaZulu-Natal and one for the Sleepover Motel in Polokwane, Limpopo.
National Health Laboratory Services Testing Facility
Gross Size of Project: 133 square metres
Days to Complete: 23
Award Criteria: Architectural Excellence
The remotely situated Mseleni in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, was the location for the new National Health Laboratory Services Testing Facility. Situated on the hospital grounds, the clean, white crisp building with blue trim finishes of the laboratory blend in perfectly with the coastal medical facility wherein it is situated. Constructed on a steel framed chassis from 40mm insulated sandwich panels, which provide high levels of insulation to keep the units cool in the heat of summer, and warm in the colder winter months, the design of the Laboratory is well suited to the function it is required to fulfill. The 19 x 7m structure houses all the necessary components of a modern testing facility, complete with reception, open plan laboratory, micro and TB Lab, and staff amenities. The use of an open plan area for testing that doesn’t require containment creates a sense of openness and visual awareness, making good use of large windows for natural light.
Technical innovation & sustainability
Six chassis were pre-manufactured and delivered to site at ground breaking, and carried by hand into position once the concrete slab (with apron) was cast. Due to the remoteness and high risk of theft in the area, the entire lab and components were designed to fit into 1 x 12 metre and 1 x 6 metre container, which were transported from Johannesburg to site, some 560kms away. The containers provided for good material preservation throughout the construction process. Individual components, such as the front reception counter and laboratory counters, were pre-fabricated and then dismantled into modular sections for transport purposes, then reassembled on site. Chromadek insulated sandwich panels, corrugated on both sides, provide for good durability and thermal insulation properties, and are resistant to the surrounding corrosive environment. The pitched roof provides good rainwater catchment and run off in order for it to be collected into a water tank which feeds the ablution facility.
Cost effectiveness
Most of the material was delivered directly to site, either from the manufacturer or from branches of the primary supplier based in Mseleni. This involved lean planning and execution of supply to maintain stocks on site and to ensure there were no material shortages that hindered manufacture. Built as a modular unit on chassis, the entire unit can be relocated at a future date should the client require.
Sleepover Motel
Gross Size of Project: 1046 square metres
Days to complete: 105
Award Criteria: Architectural Excellence
The site layout follows the contours of the mountain slope on which the units are placed. 15 units, (split into 2 mirrored units per module providing 30 double bed sleepers) are unevenly spaced around an elliptical in shape, based largely on the existing flora, which was to remain undisturbed during the fabrication and project phases. Constructed of 40mm insulated sandwich panels, which provide high levels of insulation to keep the units cool in the heat of summer, and warm in the colder winter months, each 12m unit is split into 2, with a double bedroom housing a toilet & shower en suite. Primarily northeast facing, units are warm in the mornings, and provide, cool afternoon shade on the balconies at sunset. Externally finished in grey, with a distinct yellow panel indicating the unit number, these crisp modular units stand out from their harsh, external environment, insinuating a contrast that offers respite and relaxation to its potential occupants.
Technical innovation & sustainability
Chassis were pre-manufactured and delivered to site at ground breaking, and carried by hand into position between the existing flora, which was to remain undisturbed. In addition to the modular chassis, an additional chassis was required to accommodate the long, split balcony required in the design, and was bolted on during the construction phase. This was clad with Saligna decking and bridges the gap between the natural flora and the units. Built with a mono pitch design, the pitch of the roof allows for the catchment of rainwater and maximises light into the units with the high apex over the balconies. Chromadek insulated sandwich panels, corrugated on both sides, provide for good durability and thermal insulation properties. With limited site access, much of the project was kept in a knock down state until fabrication. Local labour was used to get material to each build site in manageable sizes. Material supply was direct to site as per the project timing plan.
Cost effectiveness
Due to its distance of 350km from the manufacturing facility, transport of material and resources was always going to be a factor. The majority of material was delivered directly to site, either from the manufacturer or from branches of the primary supplier based in Polokwane. This involved lean planning and execution of supply in order to maintain stocks on site and to ensure there were no material shortages that hindered manufacture. By default, this reduced the material cost to site, and allowed for faster delivery of materials to site, than if supplied from the manufacturing site in Johannesburg. A further cost initiative was the use of modular units for site accommodation. In addition, canteens and ablutions were provided to the assembly staff, and this allowed for an early start and a full working day on site, all this at the cost of transport only. This reduced storage area required on site, and the associated shrinkage due to theft and damage.
