Modular construction techniques are helping educational buildings make a paradigm shift in the way they are built and used, and how they perform over time.

There has been a significant change in the way buildings are constructed today. From the traditional style of building from the ground up with engineers and contractors on site, the world is slowly and steadily moving to modular construction where new buildings are ‘manufactured’ offsite as modules, which are then transported to the site and assembled.

There are several benefits associated with this type of construction such as faster builds, reduced labour costs, minimal material wastage, increased sustainability, and better scope for reuse and recycling of modules, which is good for the environment.

Modular construction is also popular in healthcare, retail and temporary accommodation applications.

Modular construction in education spaces

Studies reveal the importance of air quality, light and temperature in a student's development. Modular construction enables schools to achieve a high level of thermal performance in all areas of the building envelope. Insulation plays a critical part in maximising a building’s thermal performance, along with meeting National Construction Code (NCC) requirements. Several factors come into play when selecting the correct insulation for educational buildings.

Thermal comfort

Thermal comfort is one of the important elements that contribute to an optimum environment for today’s students to absorb learning. Since schools are considered special use buildings, they must achieve a top-tier energy performance level along with providing consistent comfort for all occupants. This has become even more relevant since the introduction of the Predicated Mean Vote (PMV) model to NCC 2019, with some state educational departments mandating PMV for new and refurbished projects. As insulation plays a significant role in creating thermal comfort, the selection of the perfect insulation material becomes essential.

Weather conditions

With the increasing adoption of modular construction in new school buildings across Australia, it is imperative that the design and material specifications consider the weather conditions and climate zones prevalent at each location. Using an insulation material that can perform at a consistently high level regardless of the climate outside the building envelope simplifies the decision-making process.

Time, space and budget considerations

The needs of educational buildings have changed dramatically over the years, with emphasis now being placed upon constructing smarter and more flexible buildings, allowing for high-quality open learning spaces. Combined with time, space and budget restrictions, meeting these requirements can be quite challenging. Modular construction offers the perfect solution for these builds. Using a slim profile, high performing insulation product in educational buildings will help obtain more internal floorspace, deliver highly flexible classrooms, reduce costs, and speed up install times.

Why use Kingspan Kooltherm K18 insulated plasterboard

Using Kingspan Kooltherm K18 insulated plasterboard in the construction of modular educational buildings will deliver a thermal comfort outcome far above that of conventional insulation, with faster install times and an increased internal footprint that maximises space availability.

Kooltherm K18 is a high performing thermoset phenolic insulation foam with a reflective airspace and a conventional plasterboard in a single laminated profile, making it the perfect solution for use in modular classrooms, regardless of the climatic zone.

Being Codemark certified as compliant to the NCC for use in this application, Kooltherm K18 ensures lasting peace of mind for builders and educational institutions Australia wide.