Supported by the National Land Promotion Agency, developed by E-SOLTEC

Successfully maximized insulation, soundproofing, and airtightness performance

Received CES Innovation Award and Presidential Commendation

Used not only in Korea but also in the U.S. and New Zealand

Multipurpose modular structure supplied as accommodations for people with disabilities in Gochang County, Jeonbuk. Photo: E-SOLTEC

[The Korea Economic Daily=Reporter Min-su Kim] The “Multipurpose Modular Structure,” which surpasses the limitations of modulars and features high insulation and airtight performance, is being actively applied in domestic and international field demonstration projects.

According to the industry on the 30th, the multipurpose modular structure developed by E-SOLTEC with support from the National Land Transport and Technology Promotion Agency (hereinafter NLTPA) is being used in demonstration projects not only in Gwangju, Gochang County in Jeonbuk, and Incheon but also in the United States and New Zealand.

The multipurpose modular structure was developed through about three years of product development and demonstration with E-SOLTEC, Sendori, the Korea Conformity Laboratories (KCL), and the Hanbat University Mountain Cooperation Group, supported by NLTPA’s R&D program. The Land Transport Technology Commercialization Support Project, conducted from 2021 to 2023, aimed to develop a modular platform that could be rapidly deployed based on a modular construction method with excellent airtight performance, suitable not only for normal use but also for negative-pressure wards during disasters.

The modular structure developed through R&D is characterized by excellent performance in insulation, noise reduction, and airtightness.

Electricity usage per 1㎡ space per hour was measured at 0.2 kW, comparable to the level of a passive house (0.12 kW). Indoor noise levels were about 30 dB, similar to a quiet library, and the blower door test value, which numerically indicates building airtightness, was recorded at below 1.

The modular construction method involves pre-fabricating the structure, insulation, and facilities and assembling them on-site, which allows for fast construction and quality control. However, achieving high insulation and airtightness is challenging. Jong-woon Song, CEO of E-SOLTEC, explained, “Achieving a blower door test value below 1 with modular construction is like reaching for the stars.”

Based on its excellent performance, the multipurpose modular structure has won numerous awards.

It has received major domestic and international recognitions, including the Ministry of Science and ICT’s “Excellent R&D for Solving Social Issues,” the CES 2025 Innovation Award, and the 5th Public Procurement Day Presidential Commendation, highlighting its technological and social value. On the 28th of last month, it won the Grand Prize in the Social (S) category at the “ESG Best Practices in the Spatial Structure Industry Contest” hosted by the Korea Society of Spatial Structures for the commercialization of the multipurpose modular negative-pressure ward.

After being registered as a procurement innovation product, it was actually supplied to the Gwangju Municipal Nursing Hospital and accommodations for people with disabilities at Dongho Beach Camping Site in Gochang, proving its field applicability. Next year, it is scheduled to be selected as a priority pilot procurement product for defense commercial materials, to be used as temporary modular military accommodations during the relocation of military headquarters.

In New Zealand, demonstration is underway with energy self-sufficient modular classrooms for Korean language schools, and in the United States, the multipurpose modular structure will be used by non-profit organizations for housing support in smart city development.


Reporter: Min-su Kim kms@