Is there a future for modular precast housing solutions in the Middle East?
Imagine assembling a secure, sustainable, villa in just one day. It is not impossible. In China, towers are built in 15 days. The concept is also very popular in the U.S. In Europe, competition was stiff before the real estate bubble burst in 2008. Prices generally range from $250 to $500 per square meter.
RW Middle East has built the first modular precast villa, located in Samawah City, Southern Iraq. This 225 m2 house demonstrates the technology and benefits of fast track precast modular concrete homes versus other forms of residential construction in the gulf region, such as precast panels or traditional masonry construction.
RW shipped their formwork from the U.S. to Southern Iraq. Specialized supervisors temporarily moved to Samawah City to manage and train local Iraqi workers in module construction. All materials and equipment used to build the villa were procured locally and the local workers gained knowledge and training which can now be transferred to their next jobs.
Developers are finding RW’s precast modular construction to be an ideal fit for building in the Middle East. By producing the modules onsite, the time and risk usually present when transporting modules from a factory to the site is removed. Once pulled from the mold, the pieces are erected into place, and finishing begins. Schedules are drastically reduced, there is minimal waste, significant cost savings, and the result is a sustainable, durable, and secure product.
“Precast modular construction is the right fit for new large scale housing due to the fast paced construction, strength, and durability of the materials and technology used,” said Steve Weirich, President and CEO of RW. “Once a project has been slated for construction, one 4-bedroom villa can be produced per day per set of formwork.”
The model villa is complete with interior finishes, electrical, and plumbing, and it is open for demonstration and viewing purposes. RW’s vision is to produce thousands of the modular precast villas to provide high quality, affordable housing.
Precast modular construction solutions are suitable for residential housing, military housing, and correctional facilities. Rotondo Weirich Enterprises, Inc. utilizes onsite manufacturing model that brings the quality and efficiency of a factory to the local project site, eliminating any geographical limitations. This also allows them to invest in the surrounding communities through the hiring of a project specific labor force, utilization of local subcontractors, services, and supplies.
