Dematerialization in Housing Industry: Modular Light Wood Frame versus Conventional Wood Frame Structure for Multi-Family Housing

“Industrialized Construction” refers to a construction method where the majority of work is performed in a climate-controlled factory. Volumetric modular construction (VMC) is a subset of industrialized construction where 2D components are prefabricated in a factory then assembled into 3D modules. 3D modules are constructed from materials identical to conventional construction using techniques that are common throughout the conventional construction industry. The 3D modules are transported to the construction site where they are stacked by a crane and connected to each other to form a building. Standardization and automation are used to reduce the need for skilled workers. Automation tools and procedures plus the ability to work 365 days per year allow VMC companies to produce buildings faster and at competitive costs when compared to conventional construction. While all of these benefits are well documented, a less documented fact is that VMC uses more material than conventional construction due to the redundant assemblies necessary to create transportable 3D volumes. This paper focuses on the dematerialization of the VMC process by comparing programmatically identical conventional and VMC multi-family buildings. Each building is five stories tall and constructed from wood. Comparison data are generated to perform framed area takeoffs for vertical and horizontal assemblies within each construction type. The summarized quantities of horizontal and vertical building elements are shown to indicate the areas of excess materials and assemblies. Further studies on design for manufacturing and assembly would reveal new construction techniques and materials that lead to the dematerialization of the VMC process.