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New Way to Review and Buy School Modules
by Freda Parker
August 15, 2007
Shop till you drop -- by Web Catalog
"We're coming out with a new web catalog that school districts can use in deciding what modules can best fill their space needs and finances," said David B. South, president of Monolithic.
"It will include an array of Monolithic Domes designed in various sizes and styles as school gyms, multipurpose buildings and classrooms," he added. "This web catalog will present drawings, color renditions and very detailed descriptions of each."
Lease-to-own option
School districts that need to add to existing campuses and ones wishing to build an entirely new facility will be able to get Monolithic Dome modules on a lease-to-own basis. For most, such an option will automatically render major benefits:
- Eliminate the need to propose and pass a school bond. Leasing fees can be paid from the school budget.
- Result in ownership within 5 to 20 years, depending on the terms of the leasing contract.
- Provide Monolithic Dome modules that are firesafe and that can withstand tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes.
- Lower operating expenses. Energy savings equal to the full cost of the module are often recouped within 20 years.
A better way
David described the standard way for school districts to buy a school: It includes reviewing the work of several architects in what the construction trade calls "the beauty contest," selecting an architect, presenting the chosen design to contractors and soliciting their bids.
"This method puts the architect in charge," David said. "Don't get us wrong, architects are needed in our society. It is just that very few of them understand the paradigm shift in construction that Monolithic Domes represent.
"Architects are not taught about them in school. In fact, not a single course is offered in any U.S. college, that we can find, on concrete thin shell engineering for design. But courses used to be offered, back in the day when there was no simple way of building these structures. Now with the airformed methods that make this construction absolutely superior, none of these courses are taught.
"We offer to help teach, assist, council and encourage any architect who would like to learn more about Monolithic Domes and their many attributes," David added. "But until the established purchasing method changes, we feel that we must promote our structures directly to the school districts. They need the benefits now" (see Risky Business: Hiring An Architect).
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According to David, leasing modules is old stuff. He said, " It is just that the modules in the past have primarily been akin to trailer houses with very short lifespans.
"But leasing companies have now decided they can lease more permanent structures such as Monolithic Domes. This, therefore, allows us to market them to the school on the same basis as any other modular or school bus.
"Because of arrangements we completed with two government funding entities, school superintendents can now shop for a single module or a group of modules as they would for a new school bus.
"They can do it by reviewing the information in our new catalog and contacting us with their specific questions and concerns. Our catalog will soon be available as a free, downloadable pdf on our website, and we're very reachable at 972-483-7423 or sales@monolithic.com."
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