Modular Dorm Units Offer Student Housing Solutions

By Jeffrey Steele, Contributing Writer

McKinney, Texas—Budget-conscious universities now will be able to leverage significant benefits and expedited project schedules through the use of modular buildings from ICON Construction. ICON, a general contractor focused on the design and construction of modular, permanent modular and modular re-locatable buildings, has announced its move into the higher education market.

Modularly constructed dormitories can be as permanent or temporary as the universities that use them want them to be. They are frequently used as a cost-effective temporary solution. In addition, modularly constructed dormitory units offer benefits including flexible floor plans, easy relocation from one campus to another and ability to replicate the appearance of other campus buildings.

“This is a new territory for us in the very diverse realm of the multi-living-dwelling industry,” says in-house architect Kent Hughlett. “We have previously designed multi-story hotels, apartments and barracks. And we incorporate this past experience for our dormitory and student housing design projects. We see a unique need for this technology because of the influx of incoming students and large work force relocation due to the economic status of some states.”

Single modularly constructed dormitory units measure from 175 to 375 square feet in size. Compressed construction schedules allow students to move into fully usable modular dormitory facilities within weeks. The units enable universities to reap additional revenue streams, after enjoying much lower build-out costs compared to those of buildings constructed in traditional ways.

About four-fifths of the modular dormitory unit’s construction takes place within the plant. Because the work is done in plant, manufacturing costs are far more predictable than costs would be on site. In addition, because construction takes place not in unpredictable outdoor weather but in the plant’s climate-controlled environment, the project can remain on schedule and deliver on budget.

Established in 1998, ICON Construction is experienced in meeting the space needs of military, administration, health care, government, commercial and residential clients.