Offsite Modular Construction Builds and Installs 12 New Classrooms for Westlake Academy in 100 Days
Challenge
Westlake Academy began using portable classroom units to accommodate its growing student population. As the buildings began to deteriorate and exceed their useful life, the school administration hoped not only to enhance the educational experience for students but also to improve the work environment for staff, thereby attracting new talent.
Adding to the challenge, due to its high enrollment that required full utilization of instructional space, the district was up against an exceptionally tight timeline. The entire process, including design, demolition, and construction, had to be completed in six months, before the start of a new school year – any solution that took classrooms out of commission during the school year was a dealbreaker. Given these timing challenges, as well as the concerns of safety and campus disruption that accompany a traditional construction approach, the district assumed its only option was bringing in another set of temporary portable-style structures to replace the old ones. Certainly, no site-built approach could demolish and remove the existing units and construct new ones between late June and early August – in fact, traditional construction of such a project could be expected to take a year or longer.
Objective
Once they learned that a permanent, high-quality solution could be delivered within their challenging timeline, Westlake Academy partnered with Offsite Modular Construction to construct, deliver, and install 12 state-of-the-art modern classrooms within about 100 days, ensuring a safe, beautiful, and technologically advanced learning environment for students and staff.
Solution
OMC utilized modular construction techniques to manufacture two brand new permanent 6,400-square-foot modular buildings, each housing six classrooms. The process included innovative design features for safety, durability, environmental sustainability, integrated technology enhancements, and health-oriented construction.
Results
In the span of three installation days, the Westlake Academy campus expanded by nearly 13,000 feet… OMC began construction in its factory in April and students had their first classes in the new buildings in August, significantly faster than any traditional construction method could have delivered a project of this scale. The new classrooms included advanced features like teacher-controlled dimmable LED lighting, natural light windows, separate HVAC systems with HEPA 15 air filtration, and enhanced security measures.
This achievement not only met the school’s immediate needs but also demonstrated the efficiency, quality, and adaptability of modular construction in the education sector. The project set a new benchmark for school construction timelines while receiving rave reviews from the local community, including Westlake Mayor Sean Kilbride, who lauded the beauty and quality of the new structures and said, “We’re quite certain our students will be as happy with the results as we are.”
More from Modular Advantage
AI, Faster Sets, and Automation: The Future of Modular is at World of Modular
While the modular building industry has long known that it can be an effective solution to increase affordable housing, the word is slowly spreading to more mainstream audiences. Three presentations at this year’s World of Modular in Las Vegas hope to provide insight and direction for those seeking a real solution to the crisis.
An Insider’s Guide to the 2025 World of Modular
The Modular Building Institute is bringing its global World of Modular (WOM) event back to Las Vegas, and with it comes some of the industry’s best opportunities for networking, business development, and education. Over the course of the conference’s four days, there will be numerous opportunities for attendees to connect, learn, and leverage event resources to get the most out of the conference.
Affordable Housing Now: The Industry’s Best Bring New Solutions to World of Modular
While the modular building industry has long known that it can be an effective solution to increase affordable housing, the word is slowly spreading to more mainstream audiences. Three presentations at this year’s World of Modular in Las Vegas hope to provide insight and direction for those seeking a real solution to the crisis.
Opportunities for Innovation in Modular Offsite Construction
Modular Offsite Construction has already shattered the myth that it only produces uninspired, box-like designs. Architectural innovations in module geometry, configurations, materials, and products make it possible to create visually stunning buildings without sacrificing functionality or efficiency.
Safe Modular Construction with Aerofilm Air Caster Transport
In collaboration with Aerofilm Systems, Heijmans developed innovative skids using air caster technology for moving modules easily and safely. These pallets are equipped with an auto-flow system, making operation extremely simple.
Miles, Modules, and Memes: Building a Modular Network One Flight at a Time
At the end of the day, social media is just another tool for building connections, and like any other tool, needs to be used skillfully to work properly. Use social media thoughtfully, and it will open doors to real opportunities and relationships you didn’t even see coming.
Falcon Structures: Thinking Inside the Box
Some of Falcon’s latest projects include creating container solutions for New York’s Central Park and an East Coast professional baseball team. More and more, Falcon is shipping out container bathrooms and locker rooms to improve traditionally difficult work environments, like those in oil and gas or construction.
UrbanBloc—From Passion to Industry Leader
UrbanBloc specializes in three main categories or markets – what they call “Phase 0” projects, amenities, and urban infill. Clients are often attracted to shipping containers because from a real estate perspective they are considered an asset. Having the flexibility to move and transport these assets allows owners to respond to different circumstances in a fluid manner that they can’t get with standard construction.
The Hospitality Game-Changer
“Hospitality is about more than just providing a service – it’s about delivering an experience,” says Anthony Halsch, CEO of ROXBOX. “And that’s where containers thrive. They allow us to create spaces that are unique, efficient, and sustainable.”
Container Conversions Counts on Simplicity to Provide Critical Solutions
Container Conversions has fabricated and developed thousands of containers for varied projects, including rental refrigeration options, offices, kitchens, temporary workplace housing, and mobile health clinics.