The developers initially considered a manufacturer in Indiana, but shipping from Poland was less expensive than delivery from IN. “They weren’t cheaper, but they have vast experience in doing hotel interiors,” he explained. “They had really thought out the engineering part – it was very similar to what we were interested in.”
The hotel was designed by Garrison architects, the designer of a prototype modular disaster housing unit, also in Brooklyn, as MHProNews covered June 26, 2014.
At a recent panel discussion of New York architects, David Wallance of FXFOWLE Architects, says the reason for the slow progression of modular construction in the U. S. is due to the industry’s small scale and expensive mom-and-pop shops. He says the industry is not growing because manufacturers “are wedded to the idea of moving the largest possible modules down highways.”
He suggests building all modules the size of shipping containers which would allow for cheaper transportation. If they could all be industrial size construction, they can be shipped to NYC by boat. ##
(Image credit: Real Estate Weekly–rendering of new modular hotel)
