Piece by piece, workers stacked modular units like Legos at Ferrum College on Wednesday.
After carefully placing one, workers nailed it down. It's a lengthy process, but nowhere near as long at traditional construction.
"We started to experience enrollment growth, we needed student housing,” said Ferrum College President Jennifer Braaten.
She says that's why Ferrum leaders chose locally owned Mod-u-kraf's modular unit dormitory.
"We were able to say in early Spring that we want it by early Fall, and not many companies can deliver an entire building within a three-to-six month time frame,” said Braaten.
The price tag was a plus as well, at four-million dollars. Braaten say ten other schools have visited Ferrum to see this less expensive option go up.
You might think since the dormitory is being made with modular units, that it wouldn't withstand storm damage like tornadoes. But Frank Hodges with Mod-u-kraf says that's not the case.
"Our construction is pretty much sturdier than what you would find in traditional construction. We mechanically fasten and glue all our components together to make one solid unit,” said Hodges.
We did some checking, and Roanoke City's Building Commissioner tells me this is correct. He says modular units are inspected and have to meet commercial design standards.
Later, the crews put the last piece into place at Ferrum College. It's only been three days since the crew started. Over the next few months, the workers will finish the inside, and add a brick facade to the outside.
Dyer hall is set to open for students in the Fall. Ferrum College built its first modular dormitory in 2008.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement