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Life cycle performance of modular buildings: A critical review

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  • Kamali, Mohammad
  • Hewage, Kasun

Abstract

Off-site construction has gained more attention from both academia and industry during the last few years. Modular construction is one of the most efficient off-site construction methods. In this method, different parts (components) of a building are designed and fabricated off the construction site in factories as one or more modules, and then they are assembled on site to form the final product. Studies have shown that the modular building technique is applicable to different types of buildings, including residential, commercial, educational, and medical. Environmental performance is one of the most significant dimensions leading to sustainability. Since buildings account for a substantial portion of environmental burdens, the main focus of this study is on the environmental performance of modular facilities over their life cycle. This article also presents a comprehensive critical literature review on the benefits and challenges of the modular construction method, compared to its conventional counterpart. It is concluded that, on average, modular buildings have been shown to provide a better life cycle performance, for example a building׳s energy performance, among others. Further life cycle research, considering all the dimensions of sustainable construction, is recommended in order to develop a robust picture of the sustainability of modular construction.

Suggested Citation

  • Kamali, Mohammad & Hewage, Kasun, 2016. "Life cycle performance of modular buildings: A critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 1171-1183.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:62:y:2016:i:c:p:1171-1183
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2016.05.031
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nick Blismas & Christine Pasquire & Alistair Gibb, 2006. "Benefit evaluation for off-site production in construction," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(2), pages 121-130.
    2. Chris Goodier & Alistair Gibb, 2007. "Future opportunities for offsite in the UK," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(6), pages 585-595.
    3. Matthias Finkbeiner & Erwin M. Schau & Annekatrin Lehmann & Marzia Traverso, 2010. "Towards Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 2(10), pages 1-14, October.
    4. John Quale & Matthew J. Eckelman & Kyle W. Williams & Greg Sloditskie & Julie B. Zimmerman, 2012. "Construction Matters: Comparing Environmental Impacts of Building Modular and Conventional Homes in the United States," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 16(2), pages 243-253, April.
    5. Lara Jaillon & Chi-Sun Poon, 2010. "Design issues of using prefabrication in Hong Kong building construction," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(10), pages 1025-1042.
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