Are Modular Homes the New Future?

In an exclusive interview with Homes India, Sanjay Sharma, Chairman and Founder of Wood Barn India, shares insights into futuristic modular homes that are the most efficient and flexible living spaces, slowly invading the space of traditional homes. He highlights that modular homes are bringing advanced technology with an eco-friendly, sustainable environment. Sajay Sharma is a first-generation entrepreneur driven by a profound love for wood and specialized wooden solutions. With an entrepreneurial spirit deeply ingrained in his persona, he introduced the concept of wooden housing to India back in 2006 and has since been dedicated to cultivating a culture of wooden homes and structures across the nation. 

Elucidate how modular homes are better compared to traditional homes. 

Modular homes offer a significantly faster turnaround compared to traditional brick-and-mortar construction. While a conventional cement-based structure might take up to three years to complete, a modular timber structure can be delivered in as little as one year. This accelerated timeline is particularly beneficial for sectors like hospitality, where early project completion translates directly into faster revenue generation and better ROI.

Beyond speed, modular homes are more efficient in terms of energy use, manpower, and material handling. Built in controlled factory environments, they require less heavy machinery, reduced on-site labor, and generate minimal waste making them more sustainable than traditional methods. This prefabricated approach ensures greater quality control and limits the delays commonly associated with on-site construction such as weather disruptions or inconsistent labor availability. 

Another key advantage is flexibility. Modular construction allows for easy customization and adaptability, whether for residential, commercial, or hospitality needs, without major cost overruns. Traditional homes, by contrast, often involve longer timelines, higher resource consumption, and more unpredictability during execution. 

In today’s fast-paced, sustainability-conscious world, modular homes are redefining the future of construction making them not just a faster alternative, but a smarter one. 

How can modular homes facilitate society's changing needs, especially during these unprecedented times?

The way we live, work, and build has changed dramatically over the last few years. One of the biggest strengths of modular homes is their ability to adapt quickly to these changes. Whether it’s the growing need for faster housing solutions, flexible living spaces, or more sustainable construction practices with modular systems offer real, practical answers. 

In times like the pandemic, for example, the world saw the importance of having spaces that could be set up quickly whether it was for quarantine, remote work, or healthcare support. Modular construction made that possible in a matter of weeks, not months or years. 

Even beyond emergencies, society today demands speed, scalability, and lower environmental impact. Modular homes use fewer resources, produce less waste, and can be customized to suit different needs from the compact urban homes to full-scale resorts. They also allow people to plan better both in terms of time and cost, which is essential when the future feels unpredictable. 

In many ways, modular homes are not just about building faster; they’re about building smarter, for a world that’s constantly evolving. 

Throw some light on the trendy new methods of modular construction 

Modular construction has come a long way in recent years. Today, it’s no longer just about prefabricated boxes, it's about precision-engineered structures that blend craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology. 

One of the most exciting trends is the use of engineered timber systems like glulam and cross-laminated timber (CLT). These materials are not only strong and durable but also sustainable and visually warm, making them ideal for everything from homes to resorts. They allow for beautiful designs with high structural performance which is something the traditional materials can’t always offer. 

There’s also a shift towards hybrid systems, where materials like steel and timber are combined to offer both flexibility and strength, especially useful in challenging geographies or large-scale projects. 

And finally, modular units today are being designed to be smarter from the inside out with built-in provisions for smart home tech, better insulation, and climate responsiveness. It’s not just about speed anymore; it’s about quality, performance, and future-readiness. 

Also Read: Wellness-Focused Hotels Leading Biophilic Design & Guest Experience

How has technology made the modular construction industry more advanced and effective? 

Technology has completely transformed modular construction, making it faster, more precise, and highly efficient. Today, the process starts with digital tools like AutoCAD, Revit, and BIM, which allow us to design structures in 3D before anything is built. This minimizes errors, speeds up approvals, and ensures better coordination across teams. 

In the factory, CNC machines and automated cutting systems produce timber components with millimetre precision. This not only reduces waste but also results in cleaner joins and quicker assembly on-site. 

Technology also streamlines the backend from inventory tracking to procurement planning and logistics coordination. These systems ensure materials arrive just in time, keeping operations lean and avoiding delays. 

Even on-site, tools like laser levels, digital checklists, etc. help maintain quality control and track progress more accurately. 

Overall, technology is shifting modular construction from being labor-intensive to process-driven that allows us to build faster, better, and smarter. 

Do you think affordability and quality can go hand in hand with modular homes? How? 

Yes, and in fact, that’s where modular homes excel. Unlike traditional construction, where cost-cutting often leads to compromised quality, modular construction allows both to move forward together without one sacrificing the other. 

This is largely due to the efficiency of the process itself. Building in a controlled factory setup reduces delays, material waste, and unpredictable labor costs. Every element is precision-built, which means the margin for error is far lower, and quality control is far higher. This consistency in execution naturally leads to better results at a lower cost. 

And it's not just about numbers. Modular homes today use advanced materials like engineered timber, which are not only strong and sustainable but also aesthetically pleasing and proving that good design and good economics can co-exist. 

So yes, when done right, modular homes are a rare case where you don’t have to choose between affordability and quality. You get both by design. 

Also Read: Optimizing Small Spaces: Furniture Solutions for Urban Living in India and the Middle East

Brief out the promising future of modular construction and homes. 

As global populations surge and urbanization accelerates, the demand for quick, affordable, and sustainable housing solutions has never been greater. Traditional construction materials and building operations contribute nearly 40 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, making current methods unsustainable. 

Modular homes, built with eco-friendly materials like engineered timber in controlled factory settings, reduce waste, energy use, and carbon footprint. They enable large-scale, rapid construction without compromising design or quality. 

With housing demand soaring, modular construction offers a smart, scalable solution that meets environmental goals while delivering homes faster and more cost-effectively. Simply put, modular construction is the essential path forward for a sustainable and efficient built environment. 

Quote: "Modular construction is not just a building method; it’s a transformative approach that balances speed, sustainability, and quality that paves the way for a smarter, greener future in housing."  - Sanjay Sharma CMD