Among other things, the sitework, foundation, utilities, elevators, facade, roof, and tenant improvements are all done the same way. (In fact, the costs of the work done on-site is generally twice that of the modules.)

The MicroPAD® modules are built in a factory, then delivered to a site where they are stacked like LEGO blocks. The interior of each unit is largely finished at this point but there is still much work to be done. Individual plumbing and electrical connections must be made.

The facade, roof and common areas are built and finished onsite.

Other building systems like elevators must be installed as well. Life safety systems must be tested, inspected and commissioned.

Once the foundation and site work are completed, the MicroPADs are stacked on top of each other.

MicroPAD® buildings can be built over existing parking lots and other structures.

For example, if a city had a parking lot in a suitable location for housing, Panoramic could build a concrete podium above the lot that would serve as the foundation for a multistory MicroPAD® building; doing this would leave almost all of the parking below unaffected. Similarly, cities could retain ground floor use for other purposes like retail, offices, services, etc., while building a MicroPAD® building above.

MicroPADs can be built over existing parking lots, preserving the ground floor for parking or other uses.

Standardization and mobility

Pre-fabricating the MicroPAD® modules, we are able to achieve significant cost savings over conventional construction. But we go further.

Unlike many prefab housing modules that require oversized trucking equipment and expensive, escorted land transport, MicroPAD® units are sized to use the standard, worldwide intermodal transportation system. They can use existing shipping, rail and trucking systems without any special accommodation, which further reduces expense. (NB: In their unfinished form, MicroPAD® modules resemble, but are not, shipping containers.)

Because of the inherent strength of their modular steel bodies, units don’t require conventional building frames and can be stacked up to ten stories tall in a matter of days. Once units are stacked, the building can be wrapped in any number of exterior treatments to match the designer’s taste.

Building sizes can range from 30 to 300 units, depending on the zoning and other restraints.