Advertise on podcast: Inside Modular: The Podcast of Commercial Modular Construction

Send us Fan Mail A modular schedule can collapse over one thing: late decisions. That’s why cross-laminated timber (CLT) and modular construction fit together so well and why they can also magnify each other’s coordination mistakes if you treat them like conventional builds. Sidney Filippis, Director of Design at Sterling Structural, details what it really takes to bring mass timber into a factory-driven workflow without surprises.  Sidney explains how modular teams should think about CLT, whether as a substitute for familiar assemblies or as a structural system that changes how loads, tolerances, and interfaces behave. Sidney also shares the first design assumptions to revisit when moving from steel to mass timber, including lighter weight impacts and the reality that wood, steel, and concrete each bring different tolerance expectations. Additionally, Sidney discusses costs: CLT can be more expensive up front, so the smarter comparison is total project cost, where exposed wood finishes can reduce drywall, paint, and labor while faster installs cut schedule risk.  From there, Sidney details aspects that can make or break projects: MEP penetrations, connection engineering, acoustics planning, and moisture protection on site, and more. If you’re considering a first step, Sidney explains why a plant tour and a pilot project can de-risk adoption, plus what success could look like for mass timber and commercial modular construction in the coming years. Support the show Listen to all episodes of MBI's Inside Modular podcast at https://www.modular.org/inside-modular-the-podcast-of-commercial-modular-construction/

Send us Fan Mail Eric Kwong, founder of AluHouse USA LLC, started with an aluminum manufacturing foundation in Hong Kong and used that advantage to create durable, design-forward modular units. From there, the company’s path tracks the pressures reshaping construction worldwide: labor shortages, housing demand, and the need for consistent quality that job sites often struggle to deliver. In this episode, Eric describes how AluHouse's capabilities expanded from aluminum into steel and concrete systems that can support mid-rise and high-rise modular construction. Eric also shares what makes global expansion succeed or fail. Eric explains how to evaluate market potential, why building codes and QA/QC systems matter, and why culture is not a side note but an operational requirement. He digs into supply chain integration, certification needs across regions, and where modular clearly outperforms traditional construction today, plus where customization and complex finishes still require careful planning. Support the show Listen to all episodes of MBI's Inside Modular podcast at https://www.modular.org/inside-modular-the-podcast-of-commercial-modular-construction/

Send us Fan Mail Permitting can turn “faster with modular” into “stuck in review” long before the first module leaves the plant. Sam Taylor, founder of Crosscheck Modular Consulting in Ontario, explains what actually slows modular projects down and what teams can do differently on their next build. If you’ve ever wondered why approvals feel unpredictable from one town to the next, this conversation puts real structure around the problem.  Sam walks through the modular approvals process in Ontario, where building permits are submitted to local authorities having jurisdiction and shaped by local bylaws as much as code. She explains why early engagement with building officials matters so much, especially in smaller communities that may not see modular often, and how proactive communication can reduce redesigns, clarify inspections, and keep projects moving. Additionally, she also compares province-to-province realities, from Alberta’s deeper familiarity with modular to BC’s Step Code energy efficiency requirements. Support the show Listen to all episodes of MBI's Inside Modular podcast at https://www.modular.org/inside-modular-the-podcast-of-commercial-modular-construction/

Send us Fan Mail Financing can kill a great modular project long before the first module is built. That’s exactly where AI is starting to change the game. Jim Park, founder of Park Place Lending, talks about how AI is impacting financing for commercial modular construction, and the real-world bottlenecks that keep good ideas from turning into funded projects. Jim digs into how AI helps with early feasibility: faster budgets, tighter schedules, cleaner pro formas, and clearer comparisons between modular vs conventional construction. Jim shares how developers can use data to identify true demand pockets, even down to ZIP codes, and why the “obvious” markets are not always the best markets. We also talk about the bigger shift most builders miss: you don’t just need a better build method, you need a scalable system that connects marketing, qualification, financing, and delivery. Support the show Listen to all episodes of MBI's Inside Modular podcast at https://www.modular.org/inside-modular-the-podcast-of-commercial-modular-construction/

Send us Fan Mail Energy prices swing, grids strain under electrification, and the old habit of oversizing HVAC “just in case” is getting expensive. Trevor Schick, CEO of AIIR Intelligent HVAC, unpacks what a modern HVAC strategy looks like when comfort, resiliency, and life-cycle cost matter as much as first cost, especially in commercial modular construction.  In this episode, Trevor explains how HVAC decisions can give developers back rentable square footage, reduce mechanical closets, keep ceilings higher, and even free up rooftops for amenities instead of equipment. Trevor also talks about “physical AI” for buildings: sensors that understand occupancy, humidity, and outdoor conditions, variable-speed compressors and fans that run more smoothly, and edge computing that learns the needs of each individual space instead of guessing at a whole-building average. Along the way, he connects the dots between indoor air quality, noise, demand flexibility, and the reality that refrigerants and regulations will keep changing.  Support the show Listen to all episodes of MBI's Inside Modular podcast at https://www.modular.org/inside-modular-the-podcast-of-commercial-modular-construction/

Send us Fan Mail Imagine having precise pricing for your construction project before ever hiring an architect. That's exactly the paradigm shift that RaaP Builders wants to create in the modular construction industry. RJ Mahadev, co-founder and CEO of RaaP Builders, reveals how his company is transforming modular preconstruction through a "rooms as a product" approach that brings clarity, certainty, and efficiency to building developers. The company's innovative online platform lets developers input basic information—location, number of floors, and units—and immediately receive comprehensive designs with detailed pricing comparisons between traditional and modular construction methods.  For developers building prototypical structures like affordable housing, workforce housing, or budget hotels, RaaP's system offers a potential path to greater certainty, faster timelines, and significant cost savings. Support the show Listen to all episodes of MBI's Inside Modular podcast at https://www.modular.org/inside-modular-the-podcast-of-commercial-modular-construction/

Send us Fan Mail Travis Pyke, founder and CEO of Wind River Built, shares his journey from tiny home builder to modular manufacturer and explains how his company's vertical integration approach allowed it to quickly scale production and attract commercial building developers. For developers considering modular construction, Pyke's insights about coordination, partner selection, and pre-construction planning provide a roadmap to successful projects. By focusing on transparency, quality, and bringing more services under one roof, Wind River Built demonstrates how modern modular construction can deliver turnkey solutions that consistently exceed client expectations. Support the show Listen to all episodes of MBI's Inside Modular podcast at https://www.modular.org/inside-modular-the-podcast-of-commercial-modular-construction/

Send us Fan Mail For years, modular construction stakeholders have struggled with traditional contracts that fail to account for the dual-site nature of prefabrication, the split responsibilities for design between architects and manufacturers, and the complex permitting processes spanning multiple jurisdictions. Now, new agreements from AIA Contract Documents  tackle these challenges head-on by clearly delineating responsibilities and risks where they're best managed. Listen as Sara Betancorth from AIA Contract Documents and Sal Verrastro from Spillman Farmer Architects detail how these new contracts were created through years of collaboration between architects, attorneys, and industry experts. Now available to the public, these contracts represent a balanced approach that acknowledges the realities of modern modular construction. The result? Contracts that reduce risk, clarify responsibilities, and ultimately facilitate smoother project delivery for all stakeholders. Whether you're an owner, architect, contractor, or modular manufacturer, these new documents promise to transform how modular projects are structured and executed. Support the show Listen to all episodes of MBI's Inside Modular podcast at https://www.modular.org/inside-modular-the-podcast-of-commercial-modular-construction/

Send us Fan Mail Rory Rubin, founder and CEO of SI Container Builds, shares her journey from clinical social worker to modular construction innovator and discusses two of her company's groundbreaking container-based projects in Chicago. Rory explores how shipping container construction offers sustainable, cost-effective building solutions as she details her recent experiences navigating municipal approvals and changing perceptions about this innovative construction method. Support the show Listen to all episodes of MBI's Inside Modular podcast at https://www.modular.org/inside-modular-the-podcast-of-commercial-modular-construction/

Send us Fan Mail Discover how modular construction is primed to reshape Portugal's housing landscape. Diogo Rutkowski from Bond Housing Systems explores the urgent challenges facing Portugal, including a shortage of construction workers and an overwhelming number of homes with poor energy efficiency. Diogo highlights how modular construction can create vibrant, inclusive communities, offering faster, more efficient building processes that promise to redefine the future of housing in Portugal. Diogo also unpacks the advantages of wooden and steel modular structures that promise eco-friendliness, strength, and cost stability. He explains how these sustainable solutions can address the housing shortage with rapid delivery and environmental benefits.  Support the show Listen to all episodes of MBI's Inside Modular podcast at https://www.modular.org/inside-modular-the-podcast-of-commercial-modular-construction/

Send us Fan Mail Grant Geiger, CEO of EIR Healthcare, explores how modular construction is transforming healthcare building projects by addressing the industry's unique challenges of high costs, slow timelines, and technology integration. What makes healthcare construction unique isn't the materials or processes—it's the motivation behind the projects. Unlike economically-driven commercial developments, healthcare facilities often expand based on community need rather than financial returns. And with more hospital systems shifting to a "hub and spoke" model with smaller satellite facilities, the opportunities for modular building has never been greater. In this episode, Grant shares his thoughts on the potential for modular healthcare construction to produce buildings that not only deliver care for patients but deliver faster, more predictable timetables for stakeholders. By eliminating the "blank sheet of paper" approach that currently dominates healthcare construction, modular methods promise facilities that can be built faster, cheaper, and with better patient outcomes—a win for providers, patients, and healthcare systems as a whole. Support the show Listen to all episodes of MBI's Inside Modular podcast at https://www.modular.org/inside-modular-the-podcast-of-commercial-modular-construction/

Send us Fan Mail Andreas Kilander, offsite and modular manager at FRAMECAD, delves into the transformative role of cold-formed steel (CFS) in modular construction, discussing FRAMECAD's design-to-manufacture process and efficiency advantages, as well as the latest CFS building trends. In addition, Andreas highlights both the opportunities and challenges builders face when adopting this technology and shares insights about the future of CFS in modular construction. Support the show Listen to all episodes of MBI's Inside Modular podcast at https://www.modular.org/inside-modular-the-podcast-of-commercial-modular-construction/

Send us Fan Mail Explore the fascinating and ever-expanding applications of shipping containers in modern construction and beyond. From housing to retail micro-fulfillment centers, containers are gaining traction across sectors. Max Birner, CEO at Boxhub, discusses the challenges of a fragmented market and the undeniable benefits—financial, environmental, and speed—of building with shipping containers. In addition, Max shares the findings of his company's latest industry whitepaper and speaks to the mainstream acceptance of container construction as well as BoxHub's ambitious plans for geographic expansion and product diversification.  Support the show Listen to all episodes of MBI's Inside Modular podcast at https://www.modular.org/inside-modular-the-podcast-of-commercial-modular-construction/

Send us Fan Mail Discover the secret to not just filling positions but bringing joy to the hiring process. Join industry veterans John Kowalczyk, Keith Jeremiah, and Jordan Ringwald as they share their journey into the modular construction industry's world of recruitment. We explore how their company, Risis Talent Partners, is transforming the recruitment landscape with humor and human connection. Together, they uncover the market trends and candidate expectations that are shaping the future of modular construction and discuss strategies to enhance employer branding and attract top talent. Keith Jeremiah then sheds light on his experience as part of MBI's Workforce and Professional Development Committee. He discusses the goals of the group and the potential of the MBI Learning Center’s new online courses designed to both attract fresh talent and upskill current employees.  Whether you're in construction or recruitment, this conversation offers a comprehensive look at how to stand out in this dynamic industry. Support the show Listen to all episodes of MBI's Inside Modular podcast at https://www.modular.org/inside-modular-the-podcast-of-commercial-modular-construction/

Send us Fan Mail What if affordable multifamily housing could be built more efficiently and with less neighborhood disruption? Gwen Noyes, vice president and COO of GreenStaxx, draws on her wealth of experience in architecture and urban development—and her deep New England roots—as she discusses GreenStaxx's energy-efficient modular housing models. You'll hear firsthand about successful prototypes, like GreenStaxx's triple-deckers in Cambridge and Lowell, that promise to streamline construction and reduce costs. Gwen also discusses the initial skepticism surrounding modular methods and how increasing acceptance is paving the way for new projects in Massachusetts and Vermont. Finally, Gwen shares GreenStaxx's latest endeavors and their innovative approaches to sustainable and efficient building practices, providing a glimpse into the future of commercial modular construction in New England.  Support the show Listen to all episodes of MBI's Inside Modular podcast at https://www.modular.org/inside-modular-the-podcast-of-commercial-modular-construction/