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Traditional housing construction is a "hotspot" for resource consumption and environmental pollution. Starting from the material extraction stage, the mining and processing of basic building materials such as cement and sandstone cause ecological damage. For example, the production of 1 ton of cement emits about 1 ton of carbon dioxide, and China's cement industry accounts for more than 13% of the country's total carbon emissions. During construction, the transportation of building materials, on-site mixing operations, and the random disposal of construction waste not only consume a large amount of fuel but also cause dust and noise pollution, affecting the lives of surrounding residents. It is estimated that for every 10,000 square meters of construction area, 500 - 600 tons of construction waste are generated, most of which are buried or piled up without classification, occupying land resources and causing soil and groundwater pollution. Moreover, traditional housing construction relies on on-site wet operations, leading to severe water waste. The quality of building materials is also uneven, and some decoration materials release harmful substances such as formaldehyde and benzene, which pose long-term health risks to residents.
Modular housing, with its unique construction model and the use of eco-friendly materials, has become a practitioner of sustainable development. In terms of material selection, modular housing widely uses recycled materials, such as recycled metals and plastics. Recycled metals are produced by recycling scrap metal and re-smelting, with energy consumption during production being only 10% - 20% of that of virgin metals, effectively reducing the extraction of mineral resources and energy consumption. Recycled plastics, after processing, are used for decorative parts, pipes, and other components of the house, reducing white pollution and dependence on non-renewable resources like oil.
Modular housing also extensively uses biodegradable materials, with bamboo fiber boards being a typical example. Bamboo, which has a short growth cycle of 3 - 5 years, is a renewable resource. Bamboo fiber boards, made from bamboo, have good physical properties and can decompose naturally after disposal, posing no environmental burden. In addition, bio-based composite materials commonly used in modular housing are made from natural plant fibers and biodegradable resins. These materials ensure the structural strength of the house while being environmentally friendly and can decompose into harmless substances in the soil after disposal.
Insulation materials are another important aspect of the environmental performance of modular housing. Polyurethane foam, a commonly used efficient insulation material in modular housing, has a low thermal conductivity and provides 2 - 3 times the insulation effect of traditional insulation materials, effectively reducing energy consumption during the use of the house. Moreover, polyurethane foam can be produced using environmentally friendly blowing agents to reduce damage to the ozone layer. In addition, phase change energy storage materials are gradually being applied in modular housing. These materials can absorb or release heat during temperature changes, maintaining a stable indoor temperature and further reducing the frequency of air conditioning and heating use, achieving energy conservation and emission reduction.
Homb Modular Prefabricated Building System: Developed by Skylab Architecture and Method Homes in Oregon, USA, it uses 100-square-foot triangular modules that can be adjusted in shape according to site requirements. The system features insulation, solar systems, and water-saving functions, reducing waste and using sustainable materials. It simplifies the design process and allows for modifications.
Cosmic Self-Sufficient Residence: This project adopts an innovative modular construction system, treating buildings as products and creating an iterative system aimed at achieving efficiency, sustainability, and economic benefits. The result is a standardized building module that can generate more energy than it consumes, offsetting the energy consumption of the ADU itself and even providing additional energy to the main residence or surrounding buildings.
Qingdao Optoelectronic Talent Apartment Project: As the first concrete modular high-rise building in the north, this project has achieved significant results in terms of waste, sewage, dust, noise, energy saving, water saving, land saving, material saving, and carbon emissions. Compared with traditional construction methods, the project's construction period was reduced by 60%, on-site labor was reduced by 70%, and solid waste emissions were reduced by 75%. Modular construction also significantly reduced construction noise and dust, alleviating urban management pressure.
Mutual Collection Prefabricated Modular Building: The design focuses on sustainability, with all components prefabricated in factories, reducing the generation of construction waste on-site. More than 90% of the materials are recyclable and environmentally friendly. The components can be recombined through interlocking and stacking, allowing for multifunctional and cyclical use, reducing resource waste.
Modular housing, through its factory prefabrication and on-site assembly construction method, transfers a large amount of construction work from traditional building sites to factories, reducing dust, noise, and construction waste emissions on-site. At the same time, factory production can accurately control material usage, reducing waste and improving resource efficiency. The combination of this construction model and eco-friendly materials not only reduces the environmental load during house construction but also provides a healthy and comfortable living environment for residents, truly achieving the goal of sustainable living. With continuous technological progress and increasing environmental awareness, modular housing is expected to play a greater role in the future construction field, leading the construction industry towards a green and low-carbon direction.
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