Professors Ryan E. Smith and Ivan Rupnik partnered with the
Modular Building Institute to deliver a report titled, “5
in 5”.
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Sekisui Heim factory near Tokyo
The focus was how to grow the modular industry to 5% of the total construction
market in 5 years. The industry did not
reach this goal, but it has grown from 2.5% to about 3.5-4.0% during the past 5
years. One of the phases of the study
had Ryan and Ivan travelling throughout the globe to evaluate the context in
which modular construction was successful.
A few of these countries included Japan, Sweden and Scotland. Now the professors are wanting to share these
modular cultures with others.
This coming year in 2020 Ryan and Ivan are leading what they
call knowledge exchanges. These are
curated trips that are open to the public.
Anyone may register, but modular builders are especially welcome. In addition to tours of various factories in
these countries is a symposium with industry, government and factory
leaders. It is an excellent networking
opportunity, but more it is fast track learning. For 2020 the line up includes:
·
MOD X Northwest – this includes visits to the
Katerra mass timber factory, a job site tour of a recent Katerra project,
modular site tours of the new citizenM hotel and Cubix Othello, a multi-family
housing project, and a day long symposium with speakers and panel discussions
featuring the architects, contractors and modular factories that made these
projects happen.
·
MOD X Japan – this is the second year for the
tour with factory visits to both Sekisui Heim light gague steel and light wood
frame modular factories in Tokyo, a tour of Sekisui House and Misawa Homes model
home village, and a visit to a job site setting. A symposium will be included with some of the
largest modular companies in the Japan demonstrating their capability and
answering questions.
·
MOD X Scotland – this exchange will be focused
on light wood frame panelized factories and job sites. 75% of all housing in Scotland is panelized
platform frame low-rise construction.
The exchange will emphasize the networked nature of the Scottish offsite
sector to deliver on publicly procured projects, and a visit to a new
timber-built distillery. See more
automated and less automated factories in a construction culture that has
created an ecosystem of factories and builders including CCG, MAKAR, and
others.
·
MOD X Sweden – this exchange will feature a full
week of factory visits and discussions with world leaders in light wood frame
modular, panelized and mass timber construction. Factories will include Lindbacks, Martinsons,
Derome, and others. Also, the tour will
include a visit to Randek, the machinery company that produces automated
machines for panelized and modular factories, and a job site tour. The symposium will be held with government
and additional factories including BokLok, the partnership between IKEA and
Skanska.
Visit the MOD X website for more information and
registration: https://www.modx.network/
