Chicago builder Skender recently revealed its modular prototype unit, signaling its major investment in prefabricated home manufacturing.
In March of 2018, Skender CEO Mark Skender announced the builder's intentions in a statement:
“Fragmentation has crippled our industry far too long. Our new business model revolutionizes how the industry builds by demolishing the silos between design and construction, and introducing manufacturing. Combined with our Lean project delivery approach and culture of perpetual innovation, we can now fully realize the potential of vertical integration to significantly reduce risk, delays and waste while maximizing value, quality and positive experiences for our clients. It’s a uniquely stress-free building solution.”
Treehugger.com reports that Skender is bringing architects in-house, even buying architectural firm Ingenious Architecture, and has hired executives with modular experience in their portfolios. Skender intends to cut the building timeline by up to 50 percent, while saving 15 percent in project costs.
"The modular process allows Skender to incorporate smart apartment tech into the individual units from day one, and the mass production element results in seamless and inexpensive tech integration. Depending on the developer’s needs, each apartment unit could be manufactured to run on a suite of smart living products including Google Home smart speakers, Nest security and thermostat products, and Lutron smart lighting and shade controls."