The construction industry is responsible for around 20% of the UK’s total carbon emissions, a staggering percentage which has led to building methods, waste management and material selection evolving to become more sustainable, with a big push towards circular construction.
Modular construction is supporting sustainability efforts for many different sectors, most notably in the education sector, thanks to the structures being reusable and adaptable, with an extended lifespan and reduced waste.
What is Circular Construction?
Circular construction is an approach to designing, building and managing buildings that keeps materials and resources in use for as long as possible. Instead of the traditional “take, make, dispose” model, it focuses on reducing waste, extending the lifespan of buildings and recovering valuable materials at the end of the building’s life.
The construction industry has had to follow the key principles of circular construction, including designing buildings for disassembly, reusing materials, creating adaptable structures for multiple purposes and considering the entire lifespan of a building rather than just the initial construction costs.
Why Does the Construction Industry Need to Change?
Construction takes its toll on the environment. Manufacturing of traditional materials like cement, steel, plastics and fired bricks produce immense amounts of CO2 emissions. Extracting virgin materials damages habitats and landscapes, and once built structures are often difficult to modify, which results in demolition.
Add in long construction programmes resulting in prolonged energy use and site emissions, large amounts of waste sent to landfill as well as additional transport emissions from vehicles and machinery, it’s no wonder the industry is having to change.
How Modular Buildings Support a Circular Economy
An answer to this important change in regulations is modular buildings; they promote circular economy in construction, as they minimise waste, maximise reusability, are designed for longevity and adaptability, as well as providing financial benefits too.
Less Material Waste During Construction
Rather than being constructed on site, which creates large amounts of waste sent to landfill, modular buildings are manufactured in a controlled environment. This advantage enables more standardised building methods and limits waste streams, with surplus materials and offcuts either repurposed or recycled. By reducing waste, the reliance on new raw materials is also decreased and results in circular construction.
Reusable Building Components
While steel production is damaging for the environment, it is one of the most recyclable materials globally. Steel can be infinitely reused and recycled without losing strength or quality, and is a key material used for the framework of modular structures.
Other materials that support a circular economy include sustainably sourced timber and reclaimed materials for finishes and cladding that can be reused. Pair these with the modular nature of the builds, it means entire sections can be repurposed and refurbished instead of being demolished and wasted.
Lower Carbon Emissions Through Offsite Construction
One of the biggest benefits of choosing modular buildings is the speed at which they are constructed when compared to traditional methods. This has meant that schools have had modular structures ready and installed during holiday periods to minimise disruption to learning. Modules are constructed offsite using standardised, repeatable methods, without suffering construction delays from things like the weather.
It also reduces vehicle deliveries to a site, resulting in fewer emissions. The quicker build times also means water and energy consumption are minimised during production, and the quality of the builds are improved, helping to extend their lifespan even further.
Sustainability Benefits Beyond Construction
A big factor of circular economy construction is how a building can limit carbon emissions over its entire operational lifespan, not just during construction. Modular buildings are made to be energy efficient, reducing carbon emissions and running costs for decades after installation.
This is thanks to using high-performance insulation walls, roofs and floors to reduce heat loss, while the addition of high-quality facades and cladding made from recycled materials extend the building’s lifespan and provide additional thermal protection.
Combine these with other sustainable features like LED lighting, renewable energy systems like solar panels, low-energy heating and efficient ventilation, modular buildings can provide long-term benefits including lower energy bills, reduced emissions and improved comfort.
Adaptable Buildings Which Change Alongside Your School
Circular construction is all about reusability and recycling. Modular buildings by their nature offer both. They are designed from the very beginning to be adaptable and easily refurbished to meet changing requirements.
For schools, they’re the perfect building choice to meet a variety of applications, from SEN classrooms to portable changing rooms and temporary sports halls. A used modular classroom can easily be refurbished into new school facilities, helping to reduce environmental impact and provide a circular economy.
Why Circular Construction Makes Sense for Schools
Schools across the UK are undergoing change at a fast pace. Many are reaching full capacity and require affordable, fast and long-lasting buildings that also meet sustainable goals. Changes in curriculum and certain events throughout the year often render some existing buildings and facilities redundant, or they will be challenging and expensive to alter at short notice.
Modular buildings solve all these issues, as they’re a cost-effective building type that can very quickly be adapted, repurposed and relocated to meet evolving educational needs. Schools can receive a hugely beneficial ROI over the long-term with modular circular construction.
Sustainable Modular Construction With MPB Temporary Classrooms
But where to start? Here at MPB Temporary Classrooms, we bring over 20 years of experience helping the education sector gain the environmental and economical benefits of modular buildings for typical school facilities. We ingrain sustainability into our process by using recycled materials, repurposing and refurbishing modules after their intended use, and supply a range of new and used sustainable modular classrooms to support a circular economy.
Contact our team for a free quotation on a modular classroom or other school facility.
