User:ModManDan/Modular Wall

A modular wall is a wall panel that has been designed to adhere to the basic tenets of modular design, that is, to be self-contained and universally interchangable within a modular system, such as a modular building or modular partition. This design methodology is an attempt to create flexible, easily customizable, efficient construction projects. For a detailed discussion on the modular concept itself, see modularity.

Why modular?
The rationale for this type of design is as follows:


 * Modular walls (if designed right) can be easily rearranged within a modular system, making the system flexible and conducive to change. For example, modular walls can be installed in an office to section off workspaces. Later, some of these walls can be removed to create a larger workspace out of two previous small workspaces, or vice versa.
 * Modular walls are generally movable, and usually the entire system can be moved by taking the walls down. This allows for relocation, such as a business moving its offices to another location.
 * Moveability and flexibility of modular walls allows them to be reused on various applications, cutting down on material waste. As an example, modular walls can be combined to create an office complex. Later, these same walls can be taken down and recombined to form a retail space or educational building.

Modular wall uses
Modular walls, due to their universal, interchangeable design, can be used for a wide variety of construction projects.

Modular walls are often used to divide existing offices. Since modular walls are portable and easy to install (if they are designed right) they can generally be installed within existing office buildings as temporary (or permanent) partitions.

Modular walls are also used as components of modular buildings. Due to the interchangeability of modular walls, they can be arranged in a variety of structures to create different buildings: offices, modular homes, guardhouses, concession stands, press boxes, government buildings, storage lock-ups and really anything else that functions as a sort of enclosure.

Modular walls can be used to section off construction areas and direct pedestrian traffic as well.

Modular wall systems and green building
Modular construction is considered green for several reasons. The modular walls themselves are manufactured in factories in controlled, indoor conditions. This results in a more efficient use of resources and energy. In addition, since manufacturing of the components takes place in a factory, this leaves the actual build site free of airbourne particulates and other potentially harmful matter. Since modular walls are easy to rearrange or relocate, the wasteful practices of demolition and rebuilding as found in traditional construction methods are no longer necessary. This results in less construction waste in landfills, which previously accounted for about 25% - 40% of the U.S. physical waste stream.