Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) held a review session on April 17 for the model home of the Uiwang Chopyeong A-4 Block, which is set to become the tallest modular housing building in South Korea.
Modular housing refers to homes constructed using the Off-Site Construction (OSC) method, where more than 70% of the building components are pre-manufactured in a factory and then transported to the site for assembly. Compared to conventional reinforced concrete construction, this method not only shortens the construction period but also reduces carbon emissions and waste generated during the building process. Since most of the work is done in the factory, it minimizes on-site labor requirements, helping to address workforce shortages and reduce safety accidents at construction sites.
The Uiwang Chopyeong A-4 Block, the subject of this review session, will stand at 22 stories, making it the tallest modular housing project in the country. It will be built as an integrated public rental complex with a total of 381 units. The project is being carried out as a public-private partnership, with LH and a private construction company collaborating. This approach leverages private-sector technology and branding to provide a diverse range of public housing options. The review session took place at the Gunsan factory of modular manufacturer NRB.
Modular construction site of rental housing blocks UR1 and UR2 in Life Zone 6-3, Sejong City, July last year. Photo by Korea Land and Housing Corporation
Construction on the complex began at the end of last year, with completion targeted for July 2027. LH anticipates that the construction period will be shortened by approximately four months compared to the reinforced concrete method.
The exterior will feature a specialized facade design that highlights the characteristics of modular construction. Inside, the units will include ceiling-mounted air conditioners, fully extended balconies, and layouts with enhanced storage space. Various new technologies will be applied, such as floor impact noise reduction, Grade 5 zero energy certification, and an innovative plumbing method that installs supply and drainage pipes on each floor's bathroom walls, which is expected to minimize drainage noise.
Exterior view of the Uiwang Chopyeong A-4 Block modular housing model home. Provided by Korea Land and Housing Corporation
LH is conducting key performance tests on the main model home types, including tests for floor impact noise, inter-unit sound insulation, waterproofing, airtightness, and thermal insulation. In the first round of floor impact noise tests conducted last month, the project achieved Grade 1 for light impact noise and Grade 2 for heavy impact noise. The inter-unit wall sound insulation test also received a Grade 1 rating.
Oh Juhun, Head of the Public Housing Division at LH, stated, "Through this review session, we have identified several areas for improvement to facilitate high-rise modular housing. We will address the feedback and focus on quality control to ensure consistent quality and performance in the main construction phase. We will continue to expand modular housing to provide public housing quickly and sufficiently."
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