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Lodestar Structures Education and Resources

Lodestar Architectural and Design Features

Lodestar modular building units (MBUs) offer architects and designers a world of possibilities for designing structures.

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.

Minimization of 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 scheduled for a future-dated expansion phase.

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