Modular construction – a short introduction

Serial construction, element construction, prefab construction and modular construction. All terms associated with construction for industrial applications, increasingly viewed as the antithesis of traditional building methods, which remain commonplace – particularly in Germany. With these methods, each building is assembled on the construction site by trade after trade. The modular construction method combines the principle of cross-trade pre-fabrication in a production hall with the early planning of building projects in various element stages. With this method, construction elements are created such as a facade module with integrated sun shading and ventilation, building components such as walls and ceilings, and even entire room modules (which can be up to 80 percent pre-fabricated).

Only once they reach the construction site are elements that were pre-fabricated at the factory assembled according to the modular principle. As soon as the cranes are set up and the lorries arrive, new living spaces, school buildings, or entire office complexes can be constructed in comparably little time.

What advantages does modular construction offer?

The main arguments in favour of module construction are the reliability offered in terms of planning and budgeting. Networked planning makes it possible to precisely determine fixed costs and binding construction times. All relevant building data is digitally modelled in advance in the digital twin, meaning it is precisely calculated prior to the construction stage to provide the basis for detailed digital production planning. Production under controlled conditions permits better quality control and ensures deadlines are upheld. Series production can reduce fixed costs and construction time on the construction site by up to 70 percent.

Modern modular construction has nothing to do with prefab buildings, which are notorious for being drab and low in quality. These days, digital planning and advanced building techniques enable exceptional quality standards to be met with attractive designs. Serial pre-fabrication is already established in the detached house sector. Modular construction with pre-fabricated room modules is catching on more and more in property construction. In the residential construction industry, in 2023 the federal government and states adopted an acceleration pact to speed up the construction of urgently required affordable residential buildings with type approvals.

The housing industry is pursuing a similar goal with its framework agreement on modular construction. One of the key issues is to renovate energy systems in old residential building stock, for example with pre-fabricated building envelopes and serial pre-fabrication.

Partner for pioneering construction methods

Warema is already involved in numerous modular construction projects with its sun shading products. As a partner to companies that offer modular solutions for residential construction, Warema strongly advocates for sustainable residential construction with its product solutions – as a leading sun shading manufacturer that actively pursues cross-trade solutions.

Whether shaft, front-mounted or top-mounted systems, all Warema sun shading solutions can be perfectly attuned to the production processes and wall construction approaches of its modular construction partners. Warema’s WMS radio system allows systems to be installed without cables. For example, during the serial renovation of five apartment buildings in Mönchengladbach-Hardt (Germany) in line with the Energiesprong principle, 100 front-mounted and top-mounted roller shutters from Warema, along with WMS radio remote control, were integrated into the facade modules in the factory. This meant they could be installed directly by ecoworks, who partnered on the modular construction. When producing his 409 room modules for the “Wohnpark Maienweg” new building project in Hamburg-Alsterberg (Germany), modular construction partner Max Bögl tapped into Warema’s expertise to integrate 468 V4 front-mounted roller shutters into the windows during pre-fabrication. The Delta drainage profile developed by Gutmann is one example of a cost-effective, cross-trade solution; by connecting the sun shading, window and windowsill, this fully closes the “trade gap” to ensure process reliability.

As the largest sun shading manufacturer, Warema offers its modular construction partners not just extensive expertise, but also an innovative and wide-ranging product portfolio for shared modular construction solutions. With high production capacity and an outstanding service network, Warema is also a strong and capable partner for modular construction – from planning through to the after-sales phase.

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