Joinery-to-Structure: A Framework for Mid-Rise Modular Housing in Indian Cities

Modular housing is increasingly recognized as a viable strategy for addressing the growing housing demand in rapidly urbanizing cities. However, the structural feasibility of multi-storey modular buildings depends significantly on how prefabricated units are connected and integrated into a coherent structural system. Titled Joinery-to-Structure: A Framework for Mid-Rise Modular Housing in Indian Cities, this study examines the role of joinery as a critical mediator between modular units and overall structural behaviour. The research adopts a qualitative and comparative methodology, analysing selected modular housing precedents to evaluate inter-module connection systems, stacking logic, structural load transfer, and constructability strategies. Through this analysis, the study investigates how joinery influences stability, load continuity, and scalability in modular construction. Findings indicate that connection behaviour plays a decisive role in determining the structural reliability of mid-rise modular housing, particularly in relation to stiffness, ductility, and tolerance management. The study further identifies hybrid structural systems—combining reinforced concrete stability cores with lightweight steel volumetric modules—as a feasible approach for mid-rise modular applications. By positioning joinery as an organizing structural framework rather than a secondary technical detail, the research contributes to the discourse on modular construction and proposes a context-sensitive framework for implementing mid-rise modular housing in Indian cities.