News

Guiding STEM Students to Create Homeless Housing Solutions

In the spring of 2017, the Paramount Unified School District launched an ambitious undertaking: to reimagine high school. The High School Promise Initiative sparked a district-wide renewed commitment to more equitably prepare students for the demands and opportunities of college, career, and life in the 21st century, which led to Odyssey STEM Academy in Lakewood, CA.

For the past month, Josh Mensinger has had the privilege of engaging 11th & 12th grade scholars at Odyssey—Katie Felix, Douglas Rivas, Kyle Thompson and Kevin Tobar—to work to use 3D Design and create homeless housing solutions. The scholars recognize the design and speed advantages of ModularDesign+, and have been working to educate themselves on the design solutions to integrate with their 3D software.

 Their ambitious and noble goal is to pitch these housing units as a solution to the County of Los Angeles and get units built and people housed as soon as possible. Additionally, the scholars have gained a passion for the industry and see themselves developing this into their own business one day. The scholars are advancing the generational American Dream of owning a “brick and mortar” home to a “sustainable and printable” home.

Shout out to Katie, Douglas, Kyle and Kevin for their diligence in sparking new vision in the housing market and living up to the Paramount Unified School District’s idea of “reimagining” the status quo.

 

Conference

Josh Mensinger discusses integrating prefabrication methods in design-build at Southwest Region Annual DBIA Conference

Touted as the “go-to” event for Design-Builders in the Southwest region, the DBIA conference was the most attended event in the chapter’s history. Josh Mensinger from ModularDesign+ participated on a panel discussion, titled, “Maximizing Efficiency and Quality: Leveraging and Integrating Prefabrication in Design-Build.”

The conference brought together industry professionals, experts, and thought leaders to discuss the latest trends, best practices, and innovations in design-build. With the theme of “Best Practices, Best Value,” the conference provided a platform for attendees to network, learn, and engage.

ModularDesign+ was proud to be a part of this important event.

Award Announcement

ModularDesign+ receives Honorable Mention in Fast Company’s Innovation by Design Awards

We are thrilled to announce that the modular building solutions offered by ModularDesign+ were recognized in their international Innovation by Design Awards program.

This recognition was given to “companies on the rise” that have transformed their relative markets with innovative products and solutions.

“This award recognition is the first international recognition about the amazing work we are doing to transform the construction industry,” says Josh Mensinger, executive vice president. “We hope this recognition is one of many as we expand our capabilities and offerings to our clients in the modular building industry.”

Award Announcement

ModularDesign+ Wins Most Innovative in Real Estate Award

We are pleased to announce the ModularDesign+ (MD+) has won the Most Innovative in Real Estate Award presented by Dallas Innovates and D CEO.

The program honors companies, CEOs, CIOS, CTOs, entrepreneurs, and other pioneers who are helping to make Dallas-Fort Worth a hub for innovation.

MD+ was recognized for its ability to make the construction process more efficient and affordable by designing and fabricating projects in its Dallas-Fort Worth facility then shipping the pre-constructed modules to building sites nationwide.

Below is the full spread article in D CEO, where the winners are featured.

 

 

Award Recognition

ModularDesign+ Named a Finalist in the Dallas Innovates Awards

We are pleased to announce that ModularDesign+ is a finalist for D CEO and Dallas Innovates’ The Innovation Awards 2022. Now in its third year, the program honors disruptors and trailblazers in the region’s growing entrepreneurial and innovation communities across categories for individuals and companies.

In the submission, MD+ was able to convey its explosive growth in the past year, contributing to the economic success of the DFW area. They were also able to differentiate their unique approach to modular construction that is changing the industry nationwide. By combining design and engineering with streamlined assembly line fabrication, their process allows 80-85% of a large construction project to be designed and built under one roof. This significantly reduces on-site labor, on-site waste and compresses construction schedules by up to 50%. This translates to valuable savings to the construction industry, environmentally sound solutions, while also providing a safe, quality-controlled environment for the construction workforce.

All finalists will be featured in the January/February issue of D CEO and online at DallasInnvoates.com and winners will be revealed at an awards event in early 2022.

New Hire Announcement

Joseph Ursini Joins MD+ as Vice President of Operations

We are thrilled to announce that Joseph (Joe) Ursini has joined MD+ as Vice President of Operations. Joe has over 25 years of management and commercial construction experience. He has held various roles, such as project manager and director of construction before his latest role as a COO & managing member of a construction company. Over the course of his career, he has become committed to work in lean construction theory, and he is dedicated to advancing our industry through technology and process improvement integration.

When he’s not working, he enjoys golfing, the beauty of nature, and most of all, spending time with his family.

New Hire Announcement

Lee Hopwood Joins MD+ as an Estimator

We are very pleased to announce that Lee Hopwood will be joining ModularDesign+ as an estimator. Lee graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction from Auburn University. He has served as assistant superintendent, project manager, estimator, and preconstruction director in previous positions.

Outside the office, Lee loves spending time with his wife and daughter doing yard work, playing board games, or helping his daughter with her creative activities. He enjoys nature, wildlife, and cooking. He also serves his community through neighborhood outreach and wildlife conservation efforts.

New Hire

Brian Green Joins MD+ as Regional Modular Preconstruction Director

We are pleased to announce that Brian Green has joined the ModularDesign+ team as a Regional Modular Preconstruction Director.

As an experienced modular and prefabricated construction business development professional, Brian has been able to leverage his commercial construction project background and knowledge of modern and evolving construction methods including prefab bathroom and kitchenette pods, non-structural and structural full volumetric modular, as well as prefabricated panelized wall systems.

For over 20 years, he has been part of the conventional commercial construction industry in many facets from initial sales, through project development and project management. Through the years, Brian has developed a thorough knowledge of modern prefab-modular construction methods.

“We are thrilled to add Brian to our growing MD+ team,” says Joshua Mensinger, Vice President of Business Development. “Brian brings a depth of expertise to our growing team that will resonate with our clients and their modular construction goals.”

Brian resides with his family in Southern California and will work directly with various regional CannonDesign offices and with the MD+ Euless, Texas prefabrication facility.

Sean Studzinski Authors Piece for Student Housing Business: The Five Key Differences in Prefabricated Modular Methods

Sean Studzinski, AIA, President of Strategic Initiatives for ModularDesign+, has authored a piece for Student Housing Business, titled “The Five Key Differences in Prefabricated Modular Methods.”

In this piece, Sean explores the differences between two common modular methods; Prefabricated Modular Manufacturing and Prefabricated Offsite Construction. These methods are often confused in the industry and Sean applies these two methods within the context of Student Housing–a fast-growing sector for modular construction.

New Hire Announcement

Mitchell J. Sklar, PE, MBA, Joins MD+ as Vice President of Design and Engineering

We are pleased to announce that ModularDesign+ has hired Mitchell J. Sklar, PE, MBA, as the Vice President of Design and Engineering. As a registered professional engineer, as well as holding a bachelor’s degree in Structural Design and Construction Engineering Technology and Master of Business Administration, Mitchell has been able to leverage his project background and situational knowledge of modeling, analysis, design and construction. For over 32 years, he has overseen the development of residential, commercial & industrial structures from concept to completion to help clients navigate the world of modular construction.

“We are thrilled to add Mitchell to our growing MD+ team,” says Joshua Mensinger, Vice President of Business Development. “Mitchell brings a depth of expertise to our growing team that will resonate with our clients and their modular construction goals.”

He is located in our Euless, Texas Office and splits his time between there and his family back in Pennsylvania.

Mitchell says, “Every day is almost a fresh start, as I get to work with a diverse set of individuals and teams on solving their challenges to ensure their products become projects implementing optimized modular modalities strategies.”