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Sobha embraces modular construction model

27 May 2025

 

In the UAE’s competitive market, developers are under pressure to deliver faster, better and more sustainably. Sobha Modular, the off-site construction arm of Sobha Realty, relies on modular construction solutions to address these demands.

“Dubai’s real estate market remains dynamic and agile, evolving rapidly to meet shifting investor and end-user priorities,” says Francis Alfred, managing director of Sobha Realty.

“There’s a surge in demand for high-quality developments that offer faster delivery timelines and greater sustainability. Buyers are not just looking for prime locations or aesthetics anymore. They want energy efficiency, operational savings and reduced environmental impact – and modular construction plays a pivotal role in meeting those expectations.”

Strategic fit

Modular construction is a cornerstone of Sobha’s "backward integration model", which gives the developer control over the entire value chain, from design and engineering to manufacturing and installation, says Alfred.

“By enabling precision engineering and off-site production, modular construction allows us to accelerate delivery without compromising quality,” he explains.

“In Dubai and the broader UAE, where speed and quality are paramount, modular construction enhances project efficiency while minimising disruption at urban sites.”

Sustainability is another advantage. Modular techniques allow for resource usage to be centralised, making it easier to integrate eco-efficient systems from the design phase.

Modular solutions also reduce material waste and lower carbon impact, which enables Sobha Modular to “maintain consistency in execution across large-scale developments”, Alfred notes.

Engineering luxury

While some associate modular construction with utilitarian design, Alfred says it is also suited to high-end projects.

“In the luxury segment, consistency, precision and attention to detail are critical. Our in-house modular capabilities allow us to uphold these standards at every stage.” 

The executive lists four core benefits that make modular construction particularly valuable when it comes to Sobha’s premium offerings: quality, accelerated timelines, sustainability and customer satisfaction.

“Every component produced in our Ras Al-Khaimah factory undergoes stringent quality checks. We meet or exceed UAE and international benchmarks,” he says. 

“Off-site fabrication runs in parallel to on-site work. This means shorter build times and early handovers.

“Less on-site waste, smarter material use and a smaller carbon footprint – that’s what modular brings to the table,” he continues. “Fewer defects, better finishes and higher consistency translate into happier homeowners.”

Modular lifecycle

Sobha’s modular systems include units such as bathroom pods and facades, which are manufactured at the company’s factory in the northern UAE emirate of Ras Al-Khaimah. The process blends innovation, training and quality control, according to Alfred.

He outlines the lifecycle of a modular pod, which starts with design and specification processes developed collaboratively by Sobha’s in-house teams. Once the blueprint is approved, a reference pod is created.

“We use virtual reality testing to simulate real-world use and validate the design,” he says.

A series of inspections follows. “We don’t proceed until the pod meets our functional, operational and aesthetic standards,” Alfred explains.

Once approved, mass production begins under the oversight of trained technicians and project coordinators using digital tracking tools. This is followed by installation.

“We manage scheduling with dedicated coordination teams to ensure pods arrive ready for site execution. By the time our construction teams are on the ground, everything is set for seamless integration.”

Tangible gains

The modular model delivers a measurable impact on the ground, says Alfred. “It has been transformative in enhancing both speed and quality across our projects.”

By running production and site work concurrently, Sobha has been able to shorten timelines and deliver homes ahead of schedule.

“Client satisfaction has risen,” he says, adding: "Our internal snagging phases now see significantly fewer defects.”

He also points to benefits such as improved coordination, optimised manpower deployment and reduced emissions from construction activity.

“Our data shows we’re seeing overall project efficiency improvements, and we anticipate that future developments using modular [construction techniques] will achieve more than 40% gains in key performance metrics.”

Future plans

Sobha plans to extend its modular construction offering into new markets. “We are expanding beyond Dubai and Umm Al-Quwain, with Abu Dhabi identified as a strategic growth market,” Alfred says. “We’re also looking internationally.”

Markets such as the US and Australia are next, he says, as there is rising demand for sustainable, high-quality, factory-built developments in these countries.

“The modular model we've successfully implemented in the UAE and India allows us to scale rapidly while maintaining control and craftsmanship.” 

In this global push, Sobha aims to control the entire value chain in order to maintain consistency across all of its markets. “Our backward integration strategy … is a scalable, exportable model that guarantees the Sobha standard no matter where we build,” Alfred says. 

As Sobha Modular strives to meet the evolving needs of both investors and end-users, the company believes that modular construction is not just a trend, but is the future of premium real estate. 

“Our goal is to redefine what’s possible in construction,” Alfred concludes.

https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/13924220/main2847.jpg
Yasir Iqbal

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