Modular Part 1 - It doesn't have to be so *$%! Hard!

The Building Science Podcast

How often do you think about modular construction? Is it an idea whose time has come? There are those who view it as the only path forward that realistically checks all the boxes - are they right?

The potential is clear, modular project delivery can save time, save money, and positively impact our current and looming labor and skills crunch on the construction side of the AEC. There is no doubt that relative to the current norm, the “holy triumvirate” of owner, architect builder*, modular delivery represents a disruptive force within the AEC. Modular may be exactly the solutions we need but also one that we are not currently embracing at scale. Why is that? What are the challenges and the opportunities for modular design, construction and delivery? Join us today to unpack those questions and more.

Whether you’re a seasoned modular developer or just a curious newcomer and novice this podcast has something for you. Kristof is joined by Chris Krager and Rommel Sulit who, collectively have soaked up decades of experience and expertise in the modular space. One of the challenges to understanding modular design and construction is that it is dynamic and evolving. This confluence of financial, technical and material perspectives means different things at different times to different stakeholders. Along with our society and the AEC industry, modular has a path quality, it is not static, by some accounts where we are now is Gen 4 modular. To fulfill its potential modelar delivery needs to reach backward to influence the design process and also to reach forward to construction. This reality, while challenging, is long overdue and it is perhaps the most relevant and powerful benefit. It forces, or at least strongly encourages, the AEC to finally do integrated project design and delivery at scale.

*Quote by Rommel in the podcast

Rommel Sulit

Founding Principal and Chief Operations Officer at Forge Craft Architecture + Design. With 25 years of experience, Rommel founded Forge Craft with Scott Grinder to improve lives through the art and science of architecture and design. Rommel developed his architectural philosophy working on projects that span demographics, geographies and types at the Office of Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) with Rem Koolhaas, Page Southerland Page, Rhode Partners and BOKA Powell.

Before Forge Craft, Rommel’s work in Europe and across the U.S. centered on ambitious, large scale urban developments. Rommel now oversees projects across Forge Craft’s six Architecture + Design Craft Studios including Commercial, Affordable Housing, Interior Architecture, Residential Use, Modular Architecture and Emergent Technologies.

Chris Krager

Chris Krager has a BA in Business Administration from Michigan State University, and he

received his MArch First Professional from the University of Texas at Austin School of
Architecture. Krager formed KRDB (Krager & Associates, Design/Build), a develop/design/build
company, in 2001 with the intention of creating financially accessible architecture, while
focusing on sustainability in the urban environment (www.krdb.com). The firm’s projects
cover a broad range from single-family developments, small lot projects, mixed-use and
multi-family developments, hotels, creative office, alternative senior living models, and
more.

KRDB’s work has been recognized locally and nationally including winning the AIA

Austin’s prestigious “Firm Achievement Award” in its first year (2001). Their work has
appeared in the New York Times, Dwell, Architectural Record, Residential Architect,
and Metropolitan Home amongst others. It has been published in numerous books
including “Modern Shoestring: Contemporary Architecture on a Budget” by Susanna Sirefman, “Good House/Cheap House” by Kira Oblensky, “The Perfect $100,000 House” by Karrie Jacobs, and two of Sheri Koones’ “Pre-Fabulous” books. Their work has also been featured on shows such as “This New House”, “Small Space, Big Style”, “Dream Builders”, “Dwell TV” and “What You Get For Your Money”.

KRDB’s Sol Austin project, a 40 unit model for holistic sustainable design, was one of

the first net-zero capable projects in the US, and was awarded an AIA Austin Merit
award, the inaugural Austin Green, “Project of the Year” and was featured on the front
page of the NY Times Homes section (www.solaustin.com).

KRDB introduced ma modular in 2008, their line of affordable modern modular homes and are currently working on projects in Austin, Los Angeles, Dallas and New York
(www.mamodular.com). What began as a single-family endeavor, has now grown to
include projects ranging in scale from a 4 unit small lot development, to a 135 unit, 150k sf project on 6 acres.

Team

Hosted by Kristof Irwin

Edited by Nico Mignardi

Produced by M. Walker