Over the past few years, modular construction has enjoyed a sudden increase of interest, with several large-scale projects making the news and dozens of capable providers offering high-end modular units for commercial use at below-market prices. This trend is spilling over into 2018, and some analysts predict this year might be the turning point for the modular industry on the global level.

Let’s run through some of the events and processes that will define the future of modular construction and shape the real estate market for years to come:

Steady increase of demand from the general population

 Modular units have proven to be just as comfortable and safe as brick-and-mortar buildings, so it’s only a matter of time before prospective business owners turn to prefabricated offices en masse.

Luxurious properties gaining media attention

 In China, several high-end hotels have been made using modular methods, greatly improving the public perception of the industry. Similar high profile developments are taking place in England and the United States, so it’s fair to say demand is rapidly accelerating.

While macro structures in high style represent just a tiny portion of all modular buildings, they serve as real-life examples how far modular architecture has advanced. In addition to offering real value, those large-scale projects also provide proving grounds for experimental building methods that could soon find their way to the market at large if they are validated.