controlled environment, problems typically associated with moisture, environmental hazards,
and dirt, will be less likely to occur. Additionally, construction workers and the project’s
eventual tenants are also less likely to be exposed to weather-related health risks. Figure 1
show a summary of the benefits of using PVM for housing construction.
a) Time saving
Rapid deployment on site ensures faster
practical
completion
compared
with
conventional construction.
Most of the construction is completed in
manufacturing facilities; thus reducing on-site
labour and on-site storage requirements.
a) Safety
a) On-site Labour
Reduction
a) Environmental
a) Quality
Most of the construction process is performed
off-site.
Minimal impact on the environment since
most of the construction process is performed
off-site. Little waste is generated, creating a
lower cost, cleaner, safe, and sustainable
site.
Complete control over the manufacturing environment
is maintained. PVMs are fitted out before transporting
to the site; quick smart technology can assure a level
of quality, consistency, and certainty that site-based
construction can rarely offer.
Figure 1: Benefits of using PVM for Housing Construction (CIDB, 2019)
Figure 1: Benefits of using PVM for Housing Construction (CIDB, 2019)
Types of PVMs in Housing Construction
PVMs with
can electrical
be produced
using various
such
as steel
modules,
prefab concrete
aspects
upfront,
including
the building
plan,
pre-fitted
wiring, plumbing,
heating, materials
floor design
layout, or
floor
and suitable
ceiling height,
doors,
windows,
and internal
These
modules,
reused
shipping finishes.
containers,
timber-based
modules
other
materials.
are commissioned prior to leaving the factory, structural design and connection, material
These minimal
materials
are pre-fitted
with quality
electrical selection,
wiring, plumbing,
heating, doors, windows, and
etc.
ensuring
defects
and very high
With to proper
planning
to integrate
control.
The finishes.
PVMs are These
then transported
to the
internal
are commissioned
prior
leaving upfront
the factory,
ensuring
minimal
project site and carefully craned into position onto the PVM into the design layout, unique designs
defects and very high quality control. The PVMs are then transported to the project site and
pre-prepared foundations. Figures 2 to 5 show and different building features such as curved
balconies, planters,
several
types of
PVM material
that can onto
be used
in façades,
carefully
craned
into position
pre-prepared
foundations.
Figures and
2 to non-rectangular
5 show several
layouts can be implemented. However, the design
housing construction.
types of PVM material, which can be used in housing construction.
must maximise the repetition of the PVM to realise
economies of scale and take into consideration
Design and Construction Process for PVM removable, non-structural partitioning walls for
future renovation.
Housing Construction
The Architect should consider the dependency
of the geometry of the constituent PVM
Design Consideration for Architectural;
components on a range of factors, including
Structural; and Mechanical, Electrical and
limitations to the structural systems needed to
Plumbing (MEP)
develop the architectural solution; adherence
It is important that the Developer, Architect, to the desired internal planning and external
Structural and MEP Engineers, Contractors, and imagery; and logistical constraints such as the
PVM manufacturing specialist(s) coordinate width, height, length, and weight of the PVMs to be
with each other at an early stage, as this will transported and installed on site (refer to Figures
enable the team to analyse the key design 6 and 7).
7