While many initiatives are underway to construct brand-new educational facilities and traditional additions, these spaces will take a significant amount of time to complete. And time is currently in short supply.

So how do we construct additional education spaces faster without cutting quality? The answer lies in modular construction. As a leading manufacturer of quality modular buildings, Fort Modular has had the privilege of creating award-winning spaces for schools across Western Canada. Throughout the course of our operations, we’ve seen firsthand how vital school additions are for every community and how modular buildings can meet the ever-growing demand for space. That’s why we were proud to be selected for the Richard Bulpitt Elementary expansion—a $9 million project to add approximately 150 new student spaces.

New Year, New Possibilities

The start of the 2024 school year marked the exciting grand opening of this new, two-storey modular expansion. Completed in record time, the six-classroom addition welcomed students just 11 months after the Langley School District approved the project. During the official opening, BC Minister of Education Rachna Singh and representatives from the school district celebrated the expansion and announced plans for additional schools nearby. The project’s success stems from a strong partnership with the Langley School District, whose leadership and vision were instrumental throughout the process. The modular addition to Richard Bulpitt Elementary isn’t just another construction project; it’s a prime example of the benefits of modular construction and a case study to encourage adoption for future school expansions. With a fast-tracked timeline, the project was completed significantly ahead of schedule thanks to the increased efficiency and streamlined process offered by the modular construction method. The new modular classrooms even had windows, doors, flooring, cabinets, and cloakroom hooks installed prior to delivery, further cutting down on the amount of work that needed to be completed on-site. 

Previously, Richard Bulpitt Elementary featured six portable classrooms. This addition was built entirely off-site using Fort Modular’s prefabrication expertise and designed to blend seamlessly with the existing school building, replacing all six portables.

It includes a skyway connecting the new structure to the main school’s second floor, washrooms on both levels, a small wheelchair elevator, and a versatile meeting space. This connected skyway means students in the original facility will be able to interact with students in the expansion without needing to worry about going outside in poor weather conditions. 

Students and teachers alike are thrilled with the climate-controlled classrooms, which match the quality and comfort of traditional school buildings. “I think it’s perfect,” shared student Ethan Stanton, while fellow student Morgan Crocker added that she loves the skybridge connecting the two parts of the school.

Principal Sean Oliver further highlighted the students’ excitement, noting, “They got to watch it from start to finish. They saw it when it was just a hole in the ground, and now it’s here.”

Enhancing Learning Environments

While modular construction offers faster project delivery, consistency, and greater project certainty, the benefits don’t stop there. Other key advantages of the modular expansion for Richard Bulpitt Elementary are the enhanced quality control and the modern classroom design. Since every modular building is constructed in a climate-controlled environment, there’s significantly less moisture during manufacturing and a reduced chance of moisture-based damage.

Modular buildings are also built to meet or exceed the same building codes and standards as site-built structures. To this end, the same architect-specified materials used in conventionally constructed buildings are used in modular construction projects (wood, concrete, and steel).

In terms of modern design, the classrooms are crafted to promote engagement and create a dynamic educational experience by utilizing an abundance of natural light, improved air quality, enhanced thermal comfort, and enriched acoustics. Every detail is considered for the design and brought to life during the meticulous construction process. The result? A safe, functional, and comfortable space where students and teachers can thrive for years to come.

Building Better for Today and Tomorrow

Our work at Richard Bulpitt Elementary wasn’t just about meeting current demands; it was about setting a precedent for the future of educational infrastructure. When compared to traditional site-built structures, modular construction offers a sustainable and efficient path forward. With reduced waste production, a smaller carbon footprint, and enhanced energy efficiency, modular buildings are a future-proof method that will allow communities to swiftly add capacity to their educational facilities without compromising quality.

As we see students and staff continue to enjoy the new space, we’re proud to be leading the charge for this innovative construction solution. Modular expansions are both practical and aligned with the growing need for sustainable development, making them the ideal choice for current and future challenges. As we continue to expand our reach and capabilities, we look forward to supporting more educational institutions in their mission to provide excellent learning environments for an ever-growing student body. 

We also wanted to take a moment to thank the Langley School District for their trust and collaboration. We look forward to creating more inspiring spaces together with them and other school districts across British Columbia. 

For a closer look at the Richard Bulpitt Elementary expansion, watch our project video.

For more information on our modular classroom solutions, visit: https://fortmodular.com/industries/education/

The post Elevating Education Through Modular Expansions appeared first on Fort Modular.

That’s why we’re thrilled that our CSF Beausoleil School project was recognized by the Modular Building Institute (MBI), earning the 2022 Award of Distinction for relocatable modular education over 10,000 sq ft. This unique temporary elementary school consists of 24 modules, encompassing 11,520 sq ft of learning space. The project took 164 days to complete and included everything from initial design work and consultation to construction and installation. But what made this project an award-winning achievement?

A Thoughtful, Purpose-Built Design

The school features a unique design that incorporates a site-built internal covered breezeway. This allows the stand-alone classrooms to have the look and feel of a fully integrated permanent elementary school. An offset building design was also utilized to add visual interest and eliminate the typical cubic appearance of modular schools. Modular buildings were chosen for this project since the temporary school will only be situated at the current leased location for a maximum of five years.

All 24 modules were designed to accommodate all of the functions and properties of a standard elementary school. This meant carefully designing classrooms, a library, and administration offices. While each classroom was designed to encourage effective learning, they were also constructed to allow for easy relocation to a future location. To achieve this, all classrooms were built to meet the most extreme design requirements within BC (maximum snow load, wind, and seismic requirements). By meeting these requirements, the school district will have optimal flexibility in relocating to any area of the province.

Sustainability Through Technical Innovation

Sustainability is crucial for every Fort Modular facility. This was especially true for this school, as it was modelled and tested to use about 20% less energy than is currently mandated by existing building codes. To achieve this level of efficiency, particular attention was given to the building envelope, thermal bridging, and a highly efficient HRV and heat pump mechanical system. The result? A significant reduction in the operating expenses required to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature and optimal air quality.

This allowed for increased comfort, occupant health, enhanced sustainability, and cost savings at the same time. The building was also constructed using wood frame modules. These offer a more sustainable and cost-efficient method of building as they capture carbon and allow for faster construction times. Wood frame modules are also more thermally efficient, further reducing heating/cooling costs. Finally, the stand-alone nature of the building allowed for a very soundproof school due to the reduced sound transfer between buildings.

Cost-Effective Solutions

Since this school was to be situated at the current leased location for a maximum of five years, a portable, efficient, and cost-effective solution was needed. Modular construction was selected as the preferred method for this project as the buildings could be designed to be transported and re-used in a new location. The speed of modular construction, combined with a lower cost-per-square-foot than site-built construction, made this building extremely economical.

Corrugated metal and simple junction details for relocatability were incorporated into the design, making the building much easier to deconstruct prior to transportation to a new site. Additionally, all mechanical and electrical systems are stand-alone units. This may result in higher initial capital costs, but it allows for significant savings in terms of operating costs over time. Despite the cost-effective methods used for the project, every area of the school was constructed with quality, comfort, sustainability, and effective education in mind, resulting in a modern learning facility that’s properly equipped for today’s teaching requirements.

These three factors made the CSF Beausoleil School an innovative and effective achievement in modular education facilities. Though the Award of Distinction from the Modular Building Institute represents a substantial accomplishment for us, we’re not stopping there. We’re committed to continuously honing every element of our operation to provide cutting-edge modular solutions for every sector. This spirit of continuous improvement and desire to deliver unmatched quality for our clients is what will continue to drive us toward future achievements.

To learn more about our completed projects, visit our case studies page.

To discuss the details of your project, get in touch with our team.

The post What Does it Take to Create Award-Winning Educational Facilities? appeared first on Fort Modular.

Read the full story on SiteNews: https://readsitenews.com/fort-modular-stacks-up-success-in-western-canada/ Fort Modular is on a trajectory for major growth as modular construction becomes more accepted as a way to rapidly build homes, student accommodations, remote work camps, indigenous infrastructure, social amenities and other projects.

After a decade in business and acquiring assets from several other companies in the modular space, Fort is now the largest locally- and privately-owned modular building supplier in B.C. But as they expand, Fort’s leaders are determined to maintain the family-owned company values that got them there.

Staying small while growing big

Originally established with a focus on renovations and rentals, the company has since expanded operations to include new custom-built structures and permanent solutions to serve a wider array of clients. Fort operates out of a 40,000-square-foot facility located on a five-acre site in Aldergrove and now owns a 17-acre location in Barrière to further cement its reach.

Despite all this growth, brothers and company owners Bryan and Mark DePedrina are adamant that Fort doesn’t become bogged down with corporate complexity and bureaucracy.

The pair have lived and breathed modular work ever since they were kids. Their father got into the modular construction business back in the 1980s and the brothers worked there for a decade, doing projects as far away as Louisiana, Alaska, Russia and Japan.

After their father’s company was bought out, Bryan and Mark decided to go against its new corporate culture and form their own business in 2013. They’ve never looked back. In fact, by coincidence they now work out of the same factory site their father did.

“We are trying to maintain some of those ‘mom and pop’ values while we take the company to the next level,” said Mark. “It can be a challenge, and when all the new people join us, that’s exactly what I tell them. We can’t have it so corporate that everyone feels as if their hands are tied. We empower our employees to do what they were hired to do without micromanaging. These are the things that brought us success in the past and we need to continue with it even through a growth period.”

Bryan explained that this approach allows Fort to move faster than other modular providers by making common sense decisions as our team has direct access to the owners.

“This ‘get it done’ mentality has been a huge reason for our growth on both fronts, custom manufacturing and rentals,” he said.

Knowing the details

The DePedrinas have been about modular from day one.

“For me, it’s all I’ve done,” said Bryan. “I’ve never had a job outside the industry.”

The brothers believe this in-depth knowledge is another reason for their success.

“Bryan and I did our time in the factory and in the field,” said Mark. “We know. We’ve done this. We’ve seen all aspects of it because we’ve grown up in it. So there’s another level of confidence. We can tell if people’s modular construction project ideas will be successful or not right away. We also educate them about the challenges they may have to face for a successful outcome.”

They noted that many have seen headlines about large, flashy modular projects and tried to enter the space assuming it will be easy.

“We understand what we’re selling, but I feel like there’s a lot of fly-by-nighters right now,” said Bryan. “All the sudden, everyone is a modular provider even though they’re basically acting as brokers and have never been in the industry. You look at these scenarios and you feel bad. Someone is going to learn the tough way about going with an inexperienced group for their large-scale project, which in turn will hurt the industry as a whole.”

Fort also prides itself on being able to provide that expertise to customers without having to go through layers and layers of bureaucracy.

“I think the biggest thing for our clients is our ability to answer questions and make decisions quickly to get things done effectively,” said Bryan. “Fort’s owners are right there in the office. It happens in 30 seconds instead of three months.”

Leadership changes

Diversification has been part of Fort’s strategic strength.

“We have a two-pronged approach to our business with two income streams,” said Bryan. “We have the rental division and the manufacturing division. if you are purely a manufacturer and things slow down you’re taking some punches to the face. It can be very detrimental to the business. Since we have our rental division it can be a bonus. We can build our own inventory during these gaps and breaks. We can avoid the ramping up and down of operations and instead have a steady flow of production.”

The latest part of Fort’s growth strategy has been hiring renowned modular expert Rick Welch as vice president of its permanent modular division and promoting company veteran Greg Tymchyna to Vice President, rentals & fleet. Fort believes this will strengthen both parts of its business.

Tymchyna has been with Fort Modular for 5 years, with 15 years experience in rental and fleet management prior.

Welch has over 30 years of experience in modular construction with a versatile background in education, commercial, industrial, housing and hospitality markets. Bryan and Mark said he is one of the most knowledgeable people in the entire country when it comes to modular structures and will bring a wealth of knowledge to Fort’s operations.

They added that during Tymchyna’s years at Fort, he has embraced the company’s culture, making him an excellent person to lead part of the business.

“While we’re experiencing all this growth and pushing the boundaries, we are still holding true to our core values and beliefs, which has been the best thing about Fort Modular,” said Tymchyna. “And it’s just so much fun. The owners are our friends. We are a family. We are living and working a dream job.”

The DePedrinas believe these leadership changes will help set them up for future success as the growth continues.

“The idea behind some of these hires is to alleviate some of the day-to-day operational work so we can do higher-level decision making and take us to the next level,” said Bryan.

Attracting talent

Arguably one of the nation’s foremost experts in the field of modular construction, Welch felt Fort was the best place for him to be.

“Fort Modular is the fastest growing modular company in B.C. and is a good personal fit for me. The company is privately owned by like-minded brothers, Bryan, and Mark DePedrina,” he said. “Both are long-time modular industry professionals with a proven track record for integrity, humility, partnerships, and customer accountability. Fort Modular’s reputation for their positive work culture also makes it easy to attract and empower employees.”

“The modular industry needs to recognize what it does well: deliver the modular buildings. Unfortunately, some have tried to become a developer or a large general contractor,” said Welch. “So you start competing against stick-build general contractors as opposed to partnering with them.”

If you are looking for a modular specialist to help you rent or build, contact Fort’s team of specialists here. And those who are looking to join Fort’s unique company culture, information about careers can be found here.

The post Fort Modular Stacks Up Success In Western Canada appeared first on Fort Modular.

Read the full story on SiteNews: https://readsitenews.com/modular-units-sport-giant-moustaches-for-mens-health/

You’d be hard pressed to find another building this handsome.

Fort Modular, a B.C.-based modular building supplier has started a new initiative to raise money for and to bring awareness to men’s health issues.

“The guys really wanted to lean into a charity that was relevant to the industry,” said Fort’s business development and indigenous relations manager. “We have done Movember in years past but we thought about how we could take it to the next level. The idea was to put a giant mustache on buildings to market it to different people in the industry, create some buzz for the foundation itself and get people excited about it.”

The team collaborated with men’s charity Movember to create Movember Modular Space Solution units with giant mustaches on the side. Clients who rent the handsome, groomed units commit to an annual donation of at least $1,000 to support the Fort Modular campaign while the buildings are on their job sites.

“The construction industry needs this more than anyone else,” said Brezden. “Lots of guys are stressed out, they don’t get to take breaks, they don’t talk about their personal life or how they are feeling. We want to create space in a funny way for guys to open up to other guys about struggles they might be dealing with.”

The modular units are also intended to educate. They display the following stats about men’s health in the construction sector:

• 30 per cent of opioid deaths are from the construction industry.
• 83 per cent of construction industry workers have experienced some form of moderate to severe mental health issue.
• Suicide rates in the construction industry are up to 3 time higher than in other industries.
• At least one in five construction workers suffer from mental illness.
• Only 17 per cent of construction workers said they would discuss mental health issues with a supervisor.

Those looking to donate to Fort Modular’s campaign directly can do so here.

“Men are really struggling in this industry and there isn’t a lot of support when it comes to health and wellness,” said Brezden. “They guys are really busy and people are starting to realize that in order to keep their guys healthy and working, they have to check in and make sure they are doing OK.”

The post Modular Units Sport Giant Moustaches For Men’s Health appeared first on Fort Modular.

The post Celebrating 10 Years of Modular Excellence appeared first on Fort Modular.

Fort Modular expands to a 35,000-square-foot facility on a 5-acre parcel in Aldergrove, British Columbia

This expansion is significant as it will dramatically increase Fort Modular’s modular building and steel office production capability as well as expand the storage capacity of rental buildings, such as construction site offices, trailers, and mobile washrooms.

Fort Modular has been enjoying rapid growth as one of Western Canada’s leaders in affordable and top-quality modular buildings for sale or lease. Factors such as their personalized and responsive service, as a locally-owned and operated modular building provider, have made Fort Modular one of the choice modular building providers in Western Canada.

The new facility is located at 3294 262 Street, Aldergrove, BC V4W 2X2, in the eastern area of the Township of Langley. To learn more, please email info@fortmodular.com.

The post Fort Modular Moves to 35,000 Sq Ft. Aldergrove Facility appeared first on Fort Modular.