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Benefits & Features

Traditional framing vs Lodestar framing

Save time, save money, and get more usable space.

Fast and efficient construction planning

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Traditional framing has potential for misunderstanding floorplans, for construction errors, and quality imperfections.

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anchor concreteModular framing reduces the opportunity for floorplan errors.

Quality and workmanship are managed in a climate controlled factor.

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Patent Pending

TRADITIONAL FRAMING

Higher demand for skilled labor workers means:

  • additional labor costs
  • potential for workplace injury
  • increased supervisory time
  • additional equipment
  • space for equipment and workers
  • increased construction time
  • increased noise disturbance to neighbours

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LODESTAR FRAMING

Reduced demand for skilled labor workers means:

  • reduced demand for supervision
  • reduced building cost
  • reduced risk of accident
  • reduced risk of error
  • easier to schedule and manage process
  • reduced space required for storage of tools and equipment
  • less noise and traffic at building site (good for neighbours, efficiency, etc.)

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Maximize interior and exterior spaces

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LODESTAR Modular Building Units allow you to complete more construction projects, on time, on budget, and in less time. Optimizing the use of space, providing more usable interior and exterior space including functional rooftop spaces.

LODESTAR Modular Building Units allow you to complete more projects on budget and in less time.

A Lodestar structure provides the equivalent of the roof component, upper-level flooring, roof support pillars, wall support-framing, and the interior roof. The modules are designed to be installed in a fraction of the time it would take to complete the equivalent using traditional materials.

The inherent benefits of the design of the module include enhanced two-hour fire rating, structural resilience, natural climate control, and usable rooftop space, allowing for optimal use of interior and exterior space.

Increased cost control, and waste reduction, is achieved by reducing exposure to unforeseen weather or work-related delays. The result is an efficient and more manageable construction schedule, allowing more projects to be completed with less impact related to resource availability.

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Benefits of building with LODESTAR

A BUILDING PLATFORM ALLOWING ARCHITECTS TO INCORPORATE UNIQUE CUSTOM DESIGNS, OR DESIGNS BASED ON TRADITIONAL FEATURES

LODESTAR MBU’s provide designers and architects an extended platform to create unique and custom design options. MBU’s can be used as the infrastructure around which they can design traditional designs, or specific characteristics can remain exposed to achieve custom and unique features. LODESTAR MBU features can remain exposed to provide a transition from internal building features to external features of pools, driveways, retaining walls, etc. 

FASTER PROJECT COMPLETION

LODESTAR MBU’s are prebuilt offsite and can be scheduled for delivery to construction sites as required. For large projects MBU’s can be staged at the construction site and used on demand, the identical modular nature allows the MBU’s to be deploying without the need to use specific modules. MBU’s can be rapidly placed into position, reducing the framing time by as much as 90%. Each MBU provides framing and roofing features, reducing additional steps, and allowing an accelerated enclosure and finishing schedule. Building with LODESTAR MBU’s can reduce construction projects by up to 50%.

REDUCED LABOR REQUIREMENT

LODESTAR MBU’s provide the primary framework of the building, reducing the need for most of the framing and roofing crews. Fewer subcontractors are needed in this type of construction, lowering labor costs, and increasing productivity with a smaller labor force. Combining modular building material further reduces the labour requirements while further expediting the construction process.

IMPROVED UTILIZATION AND SCHEDULING
Operations, scheduling, and administration becomes more efficient using LODESTAR MBU’s. Building materials can be custom ordered in sizes and volumes, reducing the demand for onsite tasks, allowing project managers to concentrate on completing tasks quickly and with controlled complexity. LODESTAR MBU’s immediately provide protection from weather elements, providing the framework which allows construction teams to rapidly enclose the building and eliminate the risk of weather-related construction delays.
MINIMIZE WASTE
LODESTAR MBU’s reduce time-waste, material-waste, delay-waste, and resource-waste. MBU’s are prebuilt offsite in a factory where exact materials are calculated and used, they are delivered to the construction sites on schedule, and allow for an accelerated on-site construction process with reduced skilled labour and trades. The structural integrity of MBU’s allow architects to remove non-essential construction features such as trusses and traditional roofing. The efficiencies experienced in all aspects of the construction cycle allow the project to proceed on schedule, with reduced risk of unforeseen costs.
LOWER INSURANCE RATES
LODESTAR MBU’s are made of durable precast concrete, significantly reducing potential property damage and loss during disasters like storms, floods, and fire. Insurance premiums during construction may also be lower due to reduced fire damage and material theft. MBU’s are hoisted into place using cranes, reducing the need for workers to construct framing or roofing at dangerous heights, limiting exposure to insurance claims for workplace accidents. Concrete is less susceptible to moisture or water damage, which could result in structural damage or material rot, which would lead to costly insurance claims and likely increased insurance premiums.
PLAN FOR FUTURE EXPANSION WITH EASE AND MINIMAL COSTS
The modular design allows for future expansion plans with ease and minimal costs. Modules can be added Horizontally and/or Vertically at the time of original construction or can be schedule for a future-dated expansion phase.

Benefits of Concrete

WHAT IS CONCRETE?

Concrete is the most-produced man-made material on Earth. Concrete’s durability, strength and cost effectiveness make it the optimum building material for infrastructure networks worldwide. Houses, schools, hospitals, recreational amenities, airports, bridges, highways, and rail systems have been made possible with the use of Concrete. The use of concrete in the construction process is steadily increasing to keep up with the demand for urban development, construction to withstand extreme weather events, and the price of other infrastructure materials continues to rise.

Concrete can be incorporated in several key aspects to make projects more durable and disaster resistant. For example, concrete wall, floor and roof systems offer an unsurpassed combination of structural strength and wind resistance. In addition, hardened exterior finishes for walls and roofs of a home or business provide the best combination of strength and security.

CONCRETE IS COST EFFECTIVE

Building with concrete is cost effective due to the ability to have components produced under extreme quality-controlled processes, in climate-controlled conditions, and delivered to the construction site as a ready to be installed building component. Time and material savings, combined with the reduction in labor requirements, and less opportunities for unforeseen events, allows projects to be competed on time and withing budgetary expectations.

CONCRETE IS DURABLE

A concrete structure is a long term, quality-based building material, superior to most traditional wood or steel-framed structures. A concrete infrastructure can withstand water and moisture, infestation, fire, and extreme acts of nature such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes.

CONCRETE PROVIDES STRENGTH

Concrete structures are better able to resist damage from extreme weather, and generally last longer. Damage from major weather events is less severe and affected communities will spend less energy and fewer resources repairing their community, allowing them to quickly recover to a pre-disaster status.

CONCRETE IS ENGERGY EFFICIENT

Concrete retains surrounding temperatures for prolonged periods, moderating temperature fluctuations and minimizing temperature transfer between the exterior and the interior of a building. The concrete mass retains heat absorbed from sunshine, which is gradually released over the nighttime, and absorbs the cool during the evening which is gradually released during the daytime hours. This results in significantly reduced heating and cooling costs, provides a more consistent and comfortable environment, and allows the temperature to be managed by smaller and more efficient HVAC systems.

CONCRETE IS LOW MAINTENANCE

Concrete is durable and resilient, capable of withstanding weather extremes and required minimal maintenance or upkeep. The inherent resistance to erosion, rot, or insects, ensures buildings will be structurally secure for up to ten times the life expectancy of traditional building materials.

CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION SAVES TIME

Building with concrete saves time, allowing builders to complete large sections in a shorter period, using forms, precast solutions, or pouring onsite. Each application provides its own time saving benefit and flexibility of use.

CONCRETE CAN BE USED IN CONSTRUCTION IN A WIDE WARIETY OF WEATHER EXTREMES

Concrete sets at a regular ambient or room temperature and can be used with minimal temperature management. Concrete can also be produced specifically to set in a variety of weather or climate variations. Modular building units can be manufactured in climate-controlled facilities where temperatures are regulated, and product schedules can be managed without climate related concern.

CONCRETE PROVIDES DESIGN AESTHETICS

LODESTAR MBU’s make up the main infrastructure, around which the building is constructed, allowing architects and builders to utilize a wide variety of traditional and modern building materials to enclose and finish the construction. LODESTAR MBU’s are built to the highest quality standard including a smooth finished surface which, if desired can be left exposed as design characteristics otherwise not available with traditional building materials. LODESTAR MBU’S provide the best of both options, while adding multiple levels of design and structural integrity and durability.

CONCRETE IS VERSATILE

Concrete is a common product used in most construction projects, can be matched with material used on external features of Pools, driveway, retaining walls, etc. Concrete can be stamped, molded, colored, finished, or enclosed with other material, to achieve desired design aesthetics. The structural integrity allows concrete to be used as both a structural material and a finishing material, suitable for use in most construction projects.

CONCRETE CAN BE RECYCLED

Concrete can be produced in the exact amount required for a specific job, eliminating the opportunity for excess product which is often attributed to waste. Concrete can also be recycled and used repeatedly in construction projects.

CONCRETE ENCOURAGES ADAPTIVE RE-USE

Concrete is produced to both last for an extended period, and with the flexibility to be converted multiple times, used for other purposes throughout its lifespan. When casted into Modular components it adds to the ability of re-use and repurposing the products.

CONCRETE MAKES BUILDINGS QUIETER

Concrete dampens noise and reduces noise transfer than traditional materials, reducing noise from transferring from internal and external sources. The reduction of sound transfer results in quieter spaces and increased privacy.

CONCRETE CAN BE SOURCED LOCALLY

Concrete can be produced locally, delivered to the construction site with reduced delivery and travel times. Delivery schedules can be coordinated to ensure the necessary volumes are delivered when and where required, further reducing delays and associated costs. Producing concrete locally ensures the material is produced to withstand the local climate conditions.

CONCRETE REPRESENTS RESOURCE EFFICIENCY

A prominent raw material in concrete is limestone, which is one of the most abundant resources on the planet. Concrete can also be produced with alternative materials including waste biproducts from steel mills and power plants.

CONCRETE CAN WITHSTAND HIGH TEMPERATURES

Unlike wood or steel, concrete does not burn, soften, or bend, concrete structures are more likely to remain standing through a fire. As the infrastructure of the building, fire-resistance enhances safety and security during the construction process and the finished product. The structure’s fire rating satisfies a higher level of fire code requirements, allowing for a more versatile use of the structure in more industry sectors.

CONCRETE IS PERFECT FOR CONSTRUCTION IN REGIONS WITH HIGH HUMIDITY

Moisture does not affect concrete to the degree it would wood or metal materials. Buildings built near waterfront or in areas at risk of flooding will have a much longer lifespan if they are constructed out of Concrete vs. wood or steel. Most buildings incorporate concrete into the design, often used for flooring, footings, or subterrain walls. Concrete is used due to its strength, durability, and resistance to environmental elements.

Benefits of Modular

MODULAR CONSTRUCTION

Modular construction is a product built off-site, in a factory controlled environment, by highly skilled staff, applying calibrated equipment, using the same materials and designed to the same codes and standards a s conventionally built facilities – but in about half the time. Buildings are produced in “modules” that when put together on site, reflect the identical design intent and specifications of the most sophisticated site-built facility – without compromise.

MODULAR CONSTRUCTION CAN BE COMPLETED FASTER

LODESTAR MBU’s are manufactured in a climate-controlled facility and delivered to the construction site for immediate installation or can be staged at the location awaiting installation. This allows builders to schedule the delivery and installation in an efficient manner, in most cases the complete structure is erected in a one to two days.

MODULAR CONTROLS CONSTRUCTION COSTS

The complexity of scheduling and managing multiple trades, equipment and supplies has the potential to result in unexpected costs, delays, and waste. LODESTAR MBU’s allow builders to easily manage the process and provides the ability to advance the building process to framed and enclosed in a very condensed period, reducing weather related delays, and with reduced demand for labor or supplies. The efficiencies prevent unexpected costs from occurring, keeping the project on budget.

MODULAR IS CONSTRUCTED IN CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENTS

LODESTAR MBU’s are manufactured in a climate-controlled facility and can be stored at a location awaiting installation. Production performed by dedicated highly skilled workers, under a controlled and monitored quality process, with assurance inspections at every step of production cycle. The completed units are put though a final multi-pion inspection before released from the production plant.

MODULAR BUILDING IS GREEN

LODESTAR MBU’s provide a flat roof element which would allow builders to repurpose disrupted ground-level greenspace to the rooftop, eliminating the negative construction impact. LODESTAR MBU’s are manufactured in regionally located climate-controlled factories where waste is reduced from the process by skilled employees, material tolerances are optimized using the proper tools in a controlled environment, and delivery distances are minimalized.

MODULAR HELPS CONTROL the BUILDING PROCESS

The controlled manufacturing process provides assurance all products are manufactured under optimum temperature conditions, by highly trained and skilled workers, with automated mixture controls, and allowed to cure for a consistent period. Each step of the process is essential to ensure the finished product meets the highest quality control standards in the industry.

MODULAR CONSTRUCTION IS EFFECTIVE

The factory-controlled process generates less waste, creates fewer site disturbances, and allows for tighter construction schedules.

MODULAR REDUCES CONSTRUCTION NOISE and TIME AT THE BUILDING SITE

A benefit of incorporating LODESTAR MBU’s into the construction process is that it reduces the amount and length of construction noise produced by traditional onsite construction, and once the structure is enclosed the noise is further reduced. Reducing the length and volume of noise pollution is essential when building in densely populated areas and in noise sensitive areas.

MODULAR REDUCES DEMAND FOR SKILLED LABOR ON SITE

LODESTAR MBU’s are built offsite reducing the demand on scheduling skilled labor at the jobsite. Reduced labor translates into reduced risk of injury, labor accidents, and reduced demand for supervisory duties. 

The regulated need for trades simplifies the responsibilities of the General contractor while reducing costs and construction delays.

The construction process advances quickly from footings to framed in structure, reducing the frequency of onsite inspections for construction, and building code compliance officials.

MODULAR IS BUILT PRECISE and UNIFORM EVERY TIME

LODESTAR MBU’s are manufactured to align precisely to other MBU’s. The production process is completed by highly skilled workers, under a controlled and monitored quality process, with assurance inspections at every step of production cycle.

Precast molds are engineered to specific standards, in a process that ensures all MBU’s are produced to the same specifications. The benefit to the builder is that any two MBU’s can be connected vertically or horizontally, without the need to coordinate specific MBU’s.

MODULAR REDUCES BUILDING MATERIALS

Traditional building methods produce waste, in materials and in time spent to prepare the materials for assembly. LODESTAR MBU’s are manufactured under carefully managed processes, using the exact volume of required components, removing wasted materials from the process. When LODESTAR MBU’s are delivered to the construction site, they are installed with a reduced amount of labor, and without excess material, further reducing waste. Reducing building material waste and assembly time, further eliminates associated expense.

MODULAR REQUIRES LESS SPACE AT THE JOB SITE FOR MATERIAL STORAGE. ON-DEMAND DELIVERY ALLOWS THE OPTION TO IMMEDIATELY SET INTO PLACE

A common challenge on construction sites is secure storage and placement of supplies and related equipment, with consideration to the exposure to theft or being damaged. Builders can store the MBU’s offsite until they are ready to be installed, with the option to have delivery and installation coordinated to occur in sync with each task. The process of building with LODESTAR MBU’s reduces the demand for skilled labor which in turn reduces the need for space workers to occupy, space for construction equipment, and space for employee parking.

MODULAR DESIGNS ALLOW FOR STANDARDIZATION OF MATERIAL AND SUPPLIES

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MODULAR BUILDING UNIT’s ARE MADE OF FIRE-RESISTANT MATERIAL

Unlike wood or steel, concrete does not burn, soften, or bend, concrete structures are more likely to remain standing through a fire. As the infrastructure of the building, fire-resistance enhances safety and security during the construction process and the finished product. The structure’s fire rating satisfies a higher level of fire code requirements, allowing for a more versatile use of the structure in more industry sectors.

MODULAR CONSTRUCTION MEANS LESS DISRUPTION

A benefit of incorporating LODESTAR MBU’s into the construction process is that it reduces the amount and length of construction noise produced by traditional onsite construction, and once the structure is enclosed the noise is further reduced. Reducing the length and volume of noise pollution is essential when building in densely populated areas and in noise sensitive areas. Infill construction can be completed with a minimal disruption to surrounding residents, and with minimal disruption to local traffic, saving both time and money required to obtain permits and dealing with complaints.

BUILT TO CODE WITH QUALITY MATERIALS

LODESTAR MBU’s are built to meet or exceed strict building codes and standards, and the same architect-specified materials used in conventionally constructed buildings can be used in modular construction projects – wood, concrete, and steel.

LESS MATERIAL WASTE

When building in a factory, waste is eliminated by recycling materials, controlling inventory, and refined production procedures.

REDUCED CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE

Because construction of modular buildings can occur simultaneously with the site and foundation work, projects can be completed 30% to 50% sooner than traditional construction.

ELIMINATION OF WEATHER DELAYS

LODESTAR MBU manufacturing is completed inside a factory, which mitigates the risk of weather delays. Modules are delivered on time, and can be installed immediately, creating a faster return on construction investment.

SAFER CONSTRUCTION

The indoor manufacturing environment reduces the risks of accidents and related liabilities for workers. The on-site modular assembly process further reduces risks associated with traditional framing and roofing techniques.

LIMITLESS DESIGN OPPORTUNITIES

LODESTAR MBU’s can be stacked and connected to create a limitless selection of design options, while providing unique rooftop patios and greenspaces. LODESTAR MBU’s may be designed to take on external aesthetics of any existing traditional buildings, indistinguishable from traditionally counterparts.

Applies to residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, mixed-use, etc.

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