The modular construction market - Portugal

The modular construction market refers to the decentralized construction of buildings. Assembly takes place in a different place to the subsequent location of the building, this allows for the construction of buildings that meet specific or permanent needs: construction sites and offices, but also new forms of housing, such as container houses. The modules or containers are generally made of steel, equipped with plumbing, heating and electrical currents. Modular construction has long been designed primarily for the construction industry but has become a worthy alternative to the construction of individual houses and offices, because it guarantees greater customization and significant energy savings. The reasons for its success are many, but undoubtedly speed and the sustainable and ecological aspect play considerable roles. Modular construction is therefore present in the construction sector, in the public sector (emergency accommodation, sports changing rooms, school facilities, etc.) and in the private tertiary sector.) and in the private tertiary sector (offices, stores and kiosks, events, healthcare, etc.). In the midst of a real estate boom marked by the exponential rise in housing prices, modular construction has become a viable alternative. However, the Portuguese market is still quite small, with a small number of companies with low turnover. Regardless, it seems that this trend is slowly changing and the market is gaining traction - the future looks positive due to the numerous advantages presented by prefabricated buildings. Algeco is the leader in modular construction in Portugal in terms of turnover. However, Algeco focuses mainly on industrial/commercial modular construction, rather than residential construction. In the residential modular construction sector, there are more companies operating and no particular leader. The combination of these will make it possible to build larger structures, with a low environmental impact as it uses natural materials from the areas surrounding the building - another advantage. What's more, the materials used keep the temperatures inside the house at levels that don't require air conditioning or any kind of heating and the manufacture of each module is designed to make the most of sunlight. This type of construction could be used in Portugal to speed up the production of self-build homes, both in the suburbs of urban centers and in rural areas. The potential of this market is huge, not only because of the need for housing but also because of the growing demand for more environmentally sustainable homes.