Work at the new Visiting Nurse Association Assisted Living facility in Somerville, Massachusetts recently entered a noteworthy phase of construction. 144 prefabricated modules, which will compose the upper three floors of the structure, are currently being lifted into place. Cutler Associates, construction manger for the project, reports that approximately 12 modules will be installed per day over a three-week period.

Each module -- representing approximately ½ of what will ultimately be a finished apartment --includes wiring, insulation, windows and doors, and plumbing. After installation, the modules are connected and a minimum of on-site finishes are completed, which include drywall taping, painting, and flooring.

“Planning for this phase of the work began months ago,” reports Bob Zalatan, Project Manager for Cutler Associates. “Due to the extremely tight conditions of the construction site, the Canadian-made modules were first transported to a staging area, thereby increasing the logistics planning required to ultimately deliver the units to their final destination,” Mr. Zalatan explained.

Close collaboration was required with the City of Somerville as well as the surrounding communities to arrange for the modules to be transported -- including securing the required permits and arranging for the appropriate police details to escort the hydraulic trucks carrying the structures.

The $16.9 million project is designed by Chia-Ming Sze Architects of Boston and will be completed in December of this year.