With over 20 years of experience in the construction industry, Sarah Noel has become a key figure in advancing modular construction in the United States. As a Business Development Representative at Dorce Prefabricated Building and Construction Industry Trade, Inc., Sarah is at the forefront of introducing innovative prefabricated solutions catering to various sectors, from residential to commercial projects. Headquartered in Ankara, Turkey, Dorce’s global reach, spanning six continents, showcases the company’s expertise and leadership in providing high-quality, cost-effective, and sustainable building systems.

Sarah Noel, Business Development Rep (left), and Suheyla Cebi Karahan, President of Dorce Modular

In her role, Sarah works closely with clients, partners, and key stakeholders to identify their project needs and propose innovative designs that not only meet but exceed expectations. She also plays a crucial role in managing projects from their inception through completion, ensuring compliance with regulations, maintaining high safety standards, and fostering customer satisfaction. Her ability to integrate her expertise in submittals, SketchUp, and EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) allows her to lead projects with precision and efficiency.

Dorce Modular and Prefabricated factory

As Dorce continues to expand its influence in the modular construction industry, particularly in the US market, Sarah Noel’s insights into the company’s future innovations and strategic direction offer a glimpse into how modular construction can reshape the way we build. Today, we sit down with Sarah to explore what’s next for Dorce and how the company is positioning itself for future growth.

My interview with Sarah Noelm, Business Development Representative at Dorce; by Gary Fleisher

Gary: Dorce Prefabricated Building and Construction is known for its global reach and expertise. Could you tell us about the latest innovations that Dorce has introduced and how they are shaping the future of modular construction?

Sarah: One of our key advantages is our dual role as both a general contractor and a modular steel building manufacturer. Our tailor-made innovative approach isn’t limited solely to manufacturing products, but it expends to the whole project. This unique capability allows us to manage the entire project; from initial design to manufacturing and finally to on-site installation.  This produces both an efficient workflow and innovative approach to our products and the overall process. We embrace industrialization in construction with methods such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) and Designing for Industrialized Methods of Construction (DIMC). These technologies enhance precision, speed and scalability in our modular projects. In addition, our in-house design ability, high volume manufacturing capacity and fully digitalized manufacturing and construction under various globally recognized standards strengthens our global reach. Our focus on sustainable construction, including energy-efficient designs and eco-friendly materials, is shaping the future of modular construction by making it more efficient, scalable and environmentally responsible.

Gary: As Dorce continues to grow its presence in the US market, what are some of the unique challenges and opportunities you foresee, particularly in terms of sustainability and regulatory compliance?

Sarah: As we continue to expand into the US market, we are exceptionally well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for sustainable and efficient construction solutions due to our ability to design, manufacture and construct. US authorities and the US marketplace raise concerns around the climate crisis and the effects on the world we live in. Our response to the problem is to employ sustainable and environmentally friendly building practices, which aligns perfectly with our commitment to use green materials and innovative modular designs. Our expertise in designing, manufacturing and constructing while following globally recognized standards ensures that we not only meet but exceed local regulatory requirements including sustainability. This presents a significant opportunity for us to deliver faster construction timelines, cost-effective solutions and flexible modular designs that meet the unique needs of various states. We are well experienced for any client requirements given our vast experiences from the coldest most remote areas of Asia to the scorching heat of the Middle East.  Our dual role as both a general contractor and modular manufacturer allows us to streamline the entire process, giving us a distinct advantage in offering customizable, high-quality solutions while answering all the unique requirements of projects in the US market.

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Gary: The modular construction industry has seen a surge in interest, especially in the last few years. How is Dorce adapting its products and services to meet the changing needs of both residential and commercial clients in the US?

Sarah: To meet the evolving needs of both residential and commercial clients in the US, we have adapted our products and services to include more flexible, customizable modular solutions. Our integrated approach of being both a general contractor and a modular building manufacturer with an in-house design department allows us to offer turnkey modular construction services that can be tailored to the specific requirements of each project. We ensure a greater performance by means of effective cost controls to meet the strictest energy efficiency standards. This skill enables us to serve a diverse range of clients, including residential, commercial, health and education sectors, while consistently maintaining the highest quality standards.

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Gary: With Dorce operating in various regions worldwide, how does your team ensure that local building codes, environmental standards, and client expectations are met without compromising on quality or efficiency?

Sarah: We do this by leaning on our deep and vast past experience in every almost every country around the World, including those who use US standards and codes. Our ability to design and construct under different global standards provides a significant advantage when adapting to local regulations. We utilize advanced digital tools, including BIM, to tailor designs to specific local requirements and collaborate closely with local authorities and partners to ensure that projects meet all necessary legal and environmental criteria. This allows us to deliver the project with high-quality and efficiency without affecting the timeline.

Gary: Looking ahead, what are some of Dorce’s strategic plans for further expansion in the US market, and how do you see modular construction evolving in the next five to ten years?

Sarah: Our strategic plans for expansion in the US focuses on increasing our operations in the US to offer more localized modular solutions. With the rise in demand for affordable housing and sustainable commercial spaces, we are ready to leverage our expertise and technologies to meet this demand. We foresee modular construction evolving with the greater integration of smart building technologies, energy-efficient systems and circular economic principles. Over the next five to ten years, the construction sector will likely continue its focus on sustainability, industrialization of construction and resilience.  This is an outlook that fits perfectly with our strategic vision for the future of modular construction.

Sarah, it was great talking with you about all the different aspects of Dorce’s Modular and Prefab construction business.

Contact Sarah Noel at [email protected]

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