Given the complexity of hotel construction projects, a constant task for developers is to cut costs, improve timelines, and lower risks on site — all while maintaining the quality and durability of buildings.
One possible solution is modular construction. With this technique, building units called ‘pods’ or ‘modules’ are pre-built offsite in a climate-controlled factory environment. Modules are then transported to the building site for stacking or side-by-side placement using cranes. Onsite labor then handles detailing and finishing.
Major hotel brands in the US and Europe are starting to take full advantage of modular construction for its main benefits of cost savings and faster overall completion. Projects ranging from 4-star major brand establishments to smaller, boutique hotels are among the success stories.
1. First Hotel Arlanda Airport: Stockholm, Sweden
Modular construction firm Forta Medical has built the 150-room First Hotel Arlanda Airport in Stockholm, Sweden, which opened in November 2016. Guests are offered nearly-24/7 transportation to the nearby Arlanda International Airport.
Forta Medical’s end-to-end participation included design work, building and transportation of modules to the construction site. Modules were prefabricated with complete infrastructure, including bathrooms and furniture. Forta Medical cites time and cost savings, environmental sustainability, and a faster return on investment for owners as key advantages of modular construction.
2. Marriott International: New construction in North America
While modular construction has already gained substantial traction in Europe, Marriott International has developed a major initiative to push for modular building throughout its branded projects in North America.
The first hotel under Marriott’s initiative is the Folsom Fairfield Inn & Suites in Folsom, California, US, completed two months ahead of schedule. The hotel features 97 rooms, with each module consisting of two complete rooms (with pre-installed beds and bathrooms) and a corridor.
Other Marriott hotels using modular construction include 4 current US projects: the 142-room AC Hotel Oklahoma City Bricktown (opened late 2017), the 122-room Courtyard Pullman in Washington (opened mid-2017), the 156-room AC Hotel NuLu in Louisville, Kentucky (opening in 2018), and the 123-room AC Hotel Chapel Hill Downtown in North Carolina (opened late 2017).
3. Hilton Worldwide: Multiple modular construction hotels in Africa
The ambition of Hilton Worldwide is to have more than 80 hotels established in Africa over the next 3-5 years. The company has pioneered modular construction on the continent with three large projects in Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria.
Modular construction offers many important advantages for developers in the hospitality industry. Among these are:
Modular construction, all in all, is evolving quickly among developers in the hotel industry. Across the world, it is proving to be an efficient method of hotel construction, enabling much-faster project completion, reduction in overall costs, and faster profitability for owners. While the method involves a greater upfront investment, possible lender education on viability, and more coordination among stakeholders and the supply chain, the increased efficiency is often well worth the adjustments. As adoption spreads, many more owners and developers are bound to take advantage.
To read more about how the FRAMECAD System provides a solution for those looking for modular and offsite construction capabilities, read more on page 50 of our eBook, "The case for building with Cold Formed Steel".