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Tsogo Sun’s hi-MONTE hotel moduBiLD, a unique modular construction method recently used to assemble Tsogo Sun’s hi-MONTE hotel, might be the revolution in productivity, costeffectiveness and environmentalism the construction industry needs.
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hen two wellestablished construction entities, Ohlhorst and Tiber Construction, wanted to change the face of construction in South Africa, they found the concept of modular building very enticing. Modular construction, also known as ‘prefabrication’ or ‘offsite construction’ in the moduBiLD case, is a method of constructing 3D volumetric units out of galvanised steel off-site, with full fixtures, and then putting the units together in minutes on-site. Rui Lavarinhas of moduBiLD explains, “Modular construction is a more affordable construction method because there are areas of repeatability – you follow the pattern and make the same module in the same way multiple times. The amount of design for one module is then effectively spread across a number of units. We’ve also ensured that the modular approach is not a compromise – it’s an increase in quality for the finished product.” In 2017, after working on modular construction ideas for years, things got exciting for the partnership. “The CEO of Tsogo Sun said he was interested in creating a modular hotel range, especially as they
had a capped amount they could spend per room for the hotel to be viable,” says Lavarinhas. “We decided to partner with them to create prototypes. The completion of the hi-MONTE project was such a success that Ohlhorst and Tiber decided to create a dedicated modular business.” In 2019, construction on the first hotel at Montecasino in Fourways,
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Johannesburg, commenced using this cutting-edge construction method. Rooms were constructed in a factory setting – with furniture, fittings, plumbing and electrics all included. The completed modules were then put together to create the hotel. Due to its lightweight construction, the hotel was partly built onto an existing two-storey parking structure at Montecasino.
Tsogo Sun not only achieved budget on cost, but also saved considerable time. Lavarinhas explains, “We start constructing before the design is finished. You’re almost working on a need-to-know basis, and you keep designing as you go. Quite often you are waiting for that information, and that can be a roadblock. But in modular
