ARCHITECTURE
According to Landseer Collen, Founder and Director at BPAS Architects( www. bpas. co. za), modular approaches are gaining traction where speed, cost certainty, and scalability are critical. Schools, student accommodation, healthcare facilities and social housing are increasingly turning to modular solutions to address urgent infrastructure demands.
However, for many people, the term conjures up buildings that feel temporary or generic. This misperception is often based more on how modular systems are applied than on the method itself.
“ Modular construction is a process, not a style. When modular thinking is integrated properly from the outset, it can deliver speed and efficiency without compromising architectural quality or creativity”, he says.
At its core, modular construction involves designing and fabricating building components or complete sections off-site, in controlled factory environments, before assembling them on-site. The approach allows much of the construction process to run in parallel with site preparation, significantly reducing build times and limiting disruption.
It begins with design
But, the real shift happens at the design stage.“ Working modularly requires architects to think differently about how buildings come together. Instead of designing for on-site improvisation, you’ re designing for precision, sequencing, and integration. That discipline can strengthen the design rather than weaken it.”
Modular construction is a process, not a style when... integrated properly from the outset.
Towards challenging common myths
One of the most persistent misconceptions about modular construction is that it limits creativity. In practice, the opposite can be true.“ Modular buildings only look repetitive when the design is repetitive. Contemporary modular systems can accommodate a wide range of materials, finishes, and spatial configurations. The creativity lies in how the system is used”, he explains.
Another assumption is that modular buildings are inherently inflexible. He argues that modularity often improves adaptability over time, allowing buildings to evolve as requirements shift.“ This is particularly relevant in sectors like education, healthcare, and housing, where needs change quickly”.
“ Modular design allows buildings to respond to those changes without the need to start from scratch.” www. tobuild. co. za | winter 2026 27