2D & 3D hybrid: Combining the best of both worlds
It is also possible to use a mix of 3D modules and 2D panels on a project or to combine those approaches with traditional site work (for instance, for the basement and first floor of a larger project). Typically, wet areas are manufactured as bathroom pods, while the remainder of the building is made from 2D panels. This optimizes the process for the two different areas of the building, bringing high-productivity improvements to the bathroom areas and maximum flexibility to all other areas. However, the manufacturing process required to deliver both solutions becomes more complex, as does coordination of the supply chain.
When evaluating the difference between these three options for an affordable housing unit of four floors, for instance, we found that a 2D solution could be 17 percent cheaper than a traditional approach, while a 2D and 3D hybrid solution lowers costs by 20 percent, and a 3D solution by 24 percent. This would vary by project, but these estimates indicate the scale of potential savings.