Barriers and Potential Solutions to the Adoption of Modular and Offsite Construction: A Review

Abstract

Modular and offsite construction (MOC) offer improved efficiency, sustainability, and flexibility in the construction industry compared to traditional methods. However, its widespread adoption remains hindered by various barriers. This paper presents a collaborative study conducted by researchers from Concordia University, the University of Alberta, and the National Research Council Canada (NRC) to identify and address these challenges. A comprehensive review of existing global research was conducted to identify barriers to MOC. These barriers were analyzed and categorized into six key groups: 1) Regulatory, 2) Economic, 3) Technical, 4) Organizational, 5) Workforce, and 6) Environmental. Additionally, recommendations to overcome these barriers are proposed and discussed. The findings from this study will serve as a foundation for a field survey to evaluate the significance of these barriers and assess their real-world impact within the current construction ecosystem. This study contributes to advancing MOC by identifying its barriers and supporting the industry's urgent need to adopt more sustainable and innovative alternatives to traditional construction methods.