HanmiGlobal Successfully Hosts Forum on Alternative Construction Methods for Apartments: "Project Costs Reduced by 2.6%"

Enhancing Carbon Neutrality and Productivity Through Technological Innovation
LH Presents a Step-by-Step Roadmap for Off-Site Construction

HanmiGlobal, the leading construction project management (PM) company in Korea, announced on July 10 that it held the 'HG Tech Forum' at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, under the theme 'Apartment Construction in an Era of Transition: The Status and Prospects of Alternative Construction Methods.' At this forum, HanmiGlobal highlighted the necessity of expanding Off-Site Construction (OSC) as an alternative method for apartment construction.

The current predominant method for apartment construction?on-site casting of reinforced concrete (RC)?is facing multiple challenges, including rising material costs, a shortage of skilled workers, construction delays, inter-floor noise, and carbon emissions. As a result, construction methods that involve manufacturing components in factories and assembling them on-site, such as modular construction, precast concrete (PC), steel frame structures (where the building's skeleton is made of steel), and timber structures, are gaining attention.

Kim Yongsik, president of HanmiGlobal, is delivering the opening address at the '2025 HG Tech Forum' held on the 10th at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Photo by HanmiGlobal

Jooheon Oh, Head of the Public Housing Division at Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), who delivered the keynote speech, stated, "The apartment construction industry is experiencing a structural crisis due to declining permit performance, an aging construction workforce, and low labor productivity." He added, "With additional environmental demands such as carbon neutrality, a shift in the existing construction paradigm has become inevitable." He then presented a phased roadmap for the activation of OSC, starting with the development of standard floor plans in 2025, commercialization of modular products in 2026, expansion of demonstration and leading projects from 2027 to 2029, and expansion into the private market after 2030.

Changwoo Seol, Vice President of Yuchang ENC, the leading modular construction company in Korea, introduced steel modular technology, noting that "it is effective for shortening construction periods, ensuring quality stability, and enhancing safety." However, he emphasized, "Technological innovation must also occur in areas such as responding to irregular designs and increasing the factory production rate."

Yonghan Ahn, Professor at Hanyang University’s Department of Architecture, explained, "The modular PC method can shorten construction periods by 35% and reduce carbon emissions by up to 44%," citing examples such as the 40-story Clementi Avenue condominium in Singapore and high-rise apartment buildings in Hong Kong. In Korea as well, multiple high-rise modular apartment projects, such as LH Sejong Happy Housing, are being pursued.

At the '2025 HG Tech Forum' hosted by HanmiGlobal held on the 10th at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, attendees are taking a commemorative photo. From the right: Gukheon Lee, Chief Technology Officer of HanmiGlobal; Seojin Park, Executive Director; Yongsik Kim, President; Jooheon Oh, Head of Public Housing Division at Korea Land and Housing Corporation; Changwoo Seol, Vice President of Yuchang ENC; Yonghan Ahn, Professor at Hanyang University; Wonhyung Lee, Chairman of the Jongam-dong Gaewoonsan Village Street Housing Maintenance Project Association. Provided by HanmiGlobal

Seojin Park, Executive Director of HanmiGlobal’s Engineering Division, presented the results of a steel frame apartment simulation jointly researched with Hyundai Steel. Park explained, "Applying a steel frame structure to a 49-story apartment reduces the construction period by 11.6 months (27%) compared to a reinforced concrete wall structure, and the interior area increases by up to 4% depending on the unit type." He continued, "Although construction costs increase by 5-10%, considering the reduction in total project costs due to the shortened construction period and lower real estate project financing (PF) interest expenses, the overall project cost can be reduced by up to 2.6%."

The Jongam-dong Gaewoonsan Village Street Housing Maintenance Project Association is pursuing the reconstruction of apartments using a combination of timber and reinforced concrete. The association is applying a hybrid of large timber and reinforced concrete to a project with 130 apartment units. Wonhyung Lee, Chairman of the association, stated, "By using large timber in the timber structure sections, carbon emissions can be reduced by 80% compared to reinforced concrete, resulting in a reduction of 4,068 tons of carbon dioxide. This is equivalent to the electricity usage of a family of four for 2,109 years."

Since 2023, HanmiGlobal has been regularly hosting the 'HG Tech Forum' on topics such as data centers, smart buildings, senior housing, and office remodeling, with the aim of sharing information on major issues facing the construction industry with industry stakeholders and seeking appropriate response strategies.