Posted on 12/15/2018 4:16:54 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Fast Company reports on a Chicago company that is betting big on modular apartment construction.
Just beyond the snowy streets and neatly packed three-flats of Chicagos southwest side, the factory at 3348 South Pulaski appears like a low gray monolith, spanning nearly 10 normal blocks and serving as a boundary between the residential neighborhood and the citys industrial freight hub.
Inside, the Chicago general contractor Skender is setting up what amounts to an apartment factory: An assembly line that will crank into gear in the spring, producing standardized apartment units ready to be bolted into a steel-framed stack on a building site. Modular construction is more than a century old, and in contemporary America, its seen mixed successbut the 63-year-old general contractor, which launched a separate entity for its modular arm, Skender Manufacturing, last year, believes the technology is worth investing in.
On a recent afternoon, its executives showed off the companys first prototype: A white-walled one-bedroom (fully furnished with a Nest thermostat, Crate and Barrel 2 platform bed, and scent diffuser) that glowed like a beacon on the otherwise darkened factory floor. When the first apartments come off the line next year, theyll be transported only a few miles away for assembly on a 110-unit condo building in the citys West Loop. After that, the company plans to begin production on a three-flat design and healthcare-focused hospital rooms....
(Excerpt) Read more at builderonline.com ...
As opposed to NON-healthcare-focused hospital rooms?
They’ll make great crack houses!
Reminiscent of the movie, “The Lathe of Heaven”
Notice: There will be no individual thinking allowed, no antique door knockers, no window coverings until approved by the HOA and no use of the freight elevators on weekends or after 5 pm on Fridays.
“Give me land, lots of land underneath the skies above.
Don’t Fence Me In”.
Simply gorgeous! /s
Stack up enough of them and we'll look like the Soviet Union...
No Thanks!
I would rather live in a tent, during the winter in Fairbanks, Alaska.
HOA’s are a people problem regardless of the techniques used for construction.
Modular construction is more than a century old, and in contemporary America, its seen mixed successbut the 63-year-old general contractor, which launched a separate entity for its modular arm, Skender Manufacturing, last year, believes the technology is worth investing in.
Europe has many old buildings, we build them and tear them down the next year. pros and cons both ways.
It looks just like the tunnel-digger housing units in the TV series Better Call Saul. Like imitating art.
I’ve thought about this often. Start from scratch and think through all the things that make a home safe, comfortable, easy to maintain, and aesthetically pleasing. Think through all the potential threats including fire, earthquake, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, etc. Make it affordable and make sure it has its own power source - no grid. Might and up with a tee-pee. LOL.
Theyll make great crack houses!
Especially with the built-in scent diffuser ...
I would rather live in a tent, during the winter in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Nome AK, if you are serious ...
I once inquired as to why so many US structures have straight lines and sharp corners, very few curves. The physics that introduce stability, and the economy involved were the answers.
How will all the Governmental and Union officials decide how to change the bribe structure that has been built up over years for standard construction?
[ Nest thermostat ]
Oh cool. Built-in spyware! LOL
Just kidding.
Different types of factory built and (I hate to use the term) other disruptive methods are coming fast.
This contractor is wise to be on the leading edge. Others may not be so lucky.
There’s an outfit in Baltimore using a heavily robotic and automated factory to build complete panels that include siding, insulation, electric, plumbing, windows and drywall. Each panel is simply bolted together.
I’ve been in the factory and it’s impressive.
Several tech companies are using their knowledge to build houses with some very unique ideas.
I know of a company that uses some sort of bacteria to grow bricks on site in a brick factory trailer. Saves thousands in transportation costs.
A large lumber chain has several plants that churn out precut lumber laser marked with assembly order. Almost no waste. When they introduced it four years ago, they had one plant. I think I heard that they have 8-10 now.
Nothing new, been done before several times.
Just hyping his product.
Yawn.
Great Chicago wants to look like Caracas
How so? It's been a long time since I saw that movie.
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