Modular housing is gaining momentum as part of the broader conversation around how the Gold Coast can respond to growing housing demand with faster, smarter and more scalable solutions.
ModnPods was recently featured in the Gold Coast Bulletin in an article exploring the future of housing on the Gold Coast and the role factory-built modular construction can play in supporting the region’s housing needs.
The article highlighted increasing interest from civic and business leaders in European-style factory-built modular housing, with Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate encouraging developers to consider modular homes as part of the solution for future housing delivery.
For ModnPods, this conversation reflects what we have believed for a long time: Australia’s housing challenge requires more than one pathway.
Traditional construction will continue to play an important role, and modular construction offers a complementary delivery model that will help improve speed, quality control and certainty across the building process.
Modular construction allows buildings to be manufactured in a controlled factory environment while site works can progress in parallel. This approach reduces time on site, minimises disruption and supports more predictable project outcomes.
At ModnPods, our 6,300m2 controlled factory brings together design, manufacturing, procurement, quality assurance and project delivery under one full turnkey service.
By shifting a significant portion of the construction process off site, modular housing can help address some of the challenges the construction industry is facing, including labour availability, site constraints, cost pressures and the need for more consistent delivery.
The Gold Coast Bulletin article highlighted the growing interest in modular housing as part of the Gold Coast’s broader response to housing demand.
A key part of ModnPods’ next stage of growth is our partnership with McNab, one of Australia’s largest privately owned construction and property groups.
This partnership brings together ModnPods’ modular manufacturing capability with McNab’s construction delivery experience, strengthening our ability to support larger and more scalable housing solutions across Queensland and beyond.
As the housing sector continues to look for new delivery models, the combination of modular manufacturing and construction expertise provides a stronger pathway for projects that require quality, speed and certainty.
For ModnPods, this is not about replacing traditional construction. It is about supporting it.
Modular construction has the potential to work alongside traditional building methods, helping architects, developers, government, community housing providers and industry partners deliver more housing in a smarter and more coordinated way.
The conversation around modular housing is no longer sitting on the edge of the industry. It is becoming part of the mainstream discussion about how Australia can build better.
With growing demand for housing, rising pressure on construction capacity and increasing interest in Modern Methods of Construction, factory-built modular solutions are being recognised as an important part of the future.
For the Gold Coast, this presents a significant opportunity.
By embracing smarter construction methods, the region can explore new ways to deliver housing that is efficient, scalable and aligned with the needs of growing communities.
At ModnPods, we are focused on manufacturing smart modular solutions that respond to real project needs across housing, tourism, staff accommodation, commercial and community infrastructure sectors.
Our approach is built around quality, efficiency and collaboration, with a clear focus on creating better outcomes for clients, communities and the broader construction industry.
Being featured in the Gold Coast Bulletin is an important moment for ModnPods, but more importantly, it reflects a wider shift in the market.
The housing conversation is changing and modular is part of the answer.
Want to learn more about modular housing and smart modular solutions?
Explore our projects and get in touch with the ModnPods team to discuss your next development!
We are thrilled to share that McNab has announced a significant investment in ModnPods, marking a strategic partnership designed to accelerate residential construction and help address the growing demand for scalable modular housing solutions across South East Queensland.
McNab joins QIC, the Arc31 family office of Cathie Reid AM and Stuart Giles, alongside ModnPods founder John Christie and the broader ModnPods leadership team as investors in the business. ModnPods will continue to manufacture its established range of modular homes including single storey dwellings, duplexes and terrace housing, which remain a core part of the company’s production pipeline.
McNab Chief Executive Officer Kunjan Ganatra said the move aligned with McNab’s long-term housing strategy, providing deeper operational collaboration rather than simply taking a passive financial stake.
“Independent data confirms Australia’s housing undersupply is structural rather than cyclical, with systemic supply constraints unlikely to ease without productivity reform,” Mr Ganatra said.
“Labour shortages and cost volatility will continue to challenge traditional construction delivery models. At McNab, when we see sustained systemic pressure in the market, we respond with strategy and investment, and this partnership is a clear example of that”.
“This collaboration gives McNab direct access to a modular manufacturing platform capable of delivering the existing ModnPods product range of single storey dwellings, duplexes, terraces and low-rise housing, while also supporting the development of new medium-rise modular solutions across social and affordable housing, build-to-rent and residential projects”.
“Modular construction enables us to deliver these homes faster and with consistent quality, while expanding the types of projects we can support. Importantly, this sits alongside our traditional construction model. Modular construction provides an additional delivery pathway, allowing us to respond to different project requirements while continuing to build through conventional methods. The two approaches are complementary and together expand our ability to deliver housing at scale.”
Mr Ganatra said over the past two years McNab and ModnPods had invested millions in modular design development, global research and Queensland compliance frameworks, overcoming both the design and regulatory barriers that have historically limited modular construction, particularly in the medium-rise space.
“Together McNab and ModnPods have co-developed a proprietary medium-rise modular system and, by investing in ModnPods, we are now poised to industrialise housing delivery in Queensland while creating local jobs and unlocking faster, more certain project outcomes.”
ModnPods Chairman Stuart Giles welcomed the new partnership with McNab amid strong market demand for faster, more certain delivery models, particularly across social and affordable housing.
“We believe the ModnWay is up,” Mr Giles said.
“That philosophy runs through everything we do, whether that’s upskilling our team members and supporting their career development, uplifting the accommodation experience for our customers, or continuing to grow the scale of projects modular construction can deliver.
“ModnPods has built its reputation delivering high-quality modular homes including single storey dwellings, duplexes, terraces and low-rise developments, and those markets remain incredibly important to our business.
“This partnership with McNab allows us to continue growing those core areas while also developing the capability to deliver larger projects over time. It’s incredible that modular construction now allows us to provide housing at scale, including the potential to use land more efficiently and deliver housing solutions for more of the most vulnerable in our community, while maintaining the quality and certainty that governments, developers and communities expect.”
“Having McNab come on board brings significant operational capability, a wealth of delivery experience and valuable industry relationships. Combined with our established manufacturing facility, technical expertise and existing product range, this positions us to expand in response to the growing demand for modular construction.”
The partnership will manufacture modules locally on the Gold Coast, supporting regional employment and enabling a more diverse workforce through controlled, factory-based environments.
Factory-based construction also provides workers with greater certainty, allowing them to work from a single location with predictable hours. This creates opportunities for a more diverse workforce and enables people to better balance work and family commitments.
QIC Private Equity Head of Asia Pacific Crystal Russell said the partnership reflects growing conviction in modular construction as a scalable solution to strengthen Queensland’s housing supply.
“QIC has a clear mandate to invest in innovative local businesses that can lift productivity and deliver meaningful impact for Queenslanders,” Ms Russell said.
“There is no greater economic and social impact than delivering more housing, and vertical modular solutions are proving increasingly important to addressing structural supply challenges. Partnering with an established national contractor of McNab’s calibre provides ModnPods with the operational might to elevate their product offering and scale to a multi-storey model.”
The investment follows significant momentum for ModnPods in recent months, including a major contract win to create 29 affordable modular homes across North Stradbroke Island for the North Stradbroke Island Aboriginal and Islanders Housing Co-Operative.
Mr Giles said ModnPods continues to work with developers, builders and government partners across a wide range of housing projects and sees significant opportunity to support the delivery of new social and affordable housing across SEQ.
“This investment reinforces our long-term strategy to modernise construction, drive productivity reform and ultimately deliver homes faster for Queenslanders,” Mr Giles said.
To learn more about McNab visit www.mcnab.net.au. For information about ModnPods explore our website www.modnpods.com.au. For more information about QIC visit www.qic.com.
High resolution photos can be found here
ABOUT MCNAB
McNab is one of Australia’s largest and most trusted privately-owned construction and property groups, generating around $1 billion annually. With long-term industry relationships and a vertically integrated model that includes award-winning construction, property developments, building revitalisation, building materials, construction hire, and skilled trades and labour, McNab is uniquely positioned to deliver certainty and quality in an ever-changing environment.
ABOUT MODNPODS
ModnPods is an Australian modular manufacturing company delivering architecturally designed accommodation solutions through advanced modern methods of construction, helping address Australia’s growing demand for faster and smarter housing delivery.
ABOUT QIC
QIC is a trusted Australian investment manager and sovereign investor, delivering with discipline across a global portfolio of alternative and liquid assets. It manages more than A$137 billion on behalf of around 125 institutional and government clients, providing specialist expertise across infrastructure, real estate, private equity, private debt and fixed income and multi-asset solutions. Established in 1991 to manage the long-term investments of the Queensland Government, QIC has grown from a single-client mandate into one of Australia’s largest institutional investment managers, grounded in its sovereign heritage and guided by a global perspective.
At ModnPods, we believe the future of construction is shaped by collaboration, shared knowledge, and real-world experience. That belief guided our recent partnership with Bond University, where we actively supported Master of Architecture students as they completed one of the most important milestones in their studies.
Our involvement went far beyond observation. It was about opening doors, sharing insights, and helping bridge the gap between academic learning and industry practice — particularly within the evolving world of modular manufacturing.
From the Factory Floor to the Panel Room
Earlier in the semester, we invited around 30 Master of Architecture students to our ModnPods HQ and manufacturing facility. They gained a behind-the-scenes look at how we design, manufacture, and deliver modular buildings from start to finish.
Our team walked students through every stage of our modular process — from early design thinking and standardisation to lean manufacturing, quality control, and on-site installation methodology. We shared real project examples, lessons learned, and the decision-making strategies that lead to successful modular outcomes.
More than anything, curiosity defined the day. The questions, conversations, and energy reinforced why these interactions matter: they spark understanding, challenge assumptions, and inspire new ways of thinking about design and delivery.
The session was led by our Founder and Director John Christie, Lead Designer Alba Berger, and GM Developments Guy Martin, each offering a different lens on what it takes to deliver high-quality modular outcomes at scale.
Closing the Loop: Industry in the Classroom
That factory visit set the foundation for the next step — participating in the final student presentations as part of Bond University’s industry panel.
Our Lead Designer Alba Berger joined David Manase – Academic & Construction Industry Practitioner and Steve MacRae from Steve MacRae Development Services to review student proposals exploring modular accommodation within an active university campus environment.
The presentations demonstrated thoughtful consideration of design quality, delivery methodology, and the role of off-site pod manufacture supported by on-site installation. It was encouraging to see how students translated both academic theory and real-world exposure into considered, practical responses.
Being part of this process reinforced the value of industry engagement — not just in assessing outcomes, but in helping shape how future designers think about buildability, efficiency, and long-term impact.
A Partnership Built on Shared Values
This connection with Bond University has been building over time. Four months ago, conversations began around how we could work more closely together — exploring ways to deepen collaboration between education and industry.
That relationship is personal as well as professional. Our Founder, John Christie, is a Bond University alumnus, and our Managing Director Stuart Giles holds the role of Bond Transformer Founder in Residence. These shared roots create a strong foundation for ongoing partnership, mentorship, and innovation.
Looking Ahead
We see supporting emerging designers and thinkers as part of how we invest in the future of modular construction. By hosting students, sharing our process, and contributing to their learning journey, we’re not just shaping the next generation — we’re shaping how they think about build-ability, efficiency, and long-term impact.
ModnPods is proud to share our first confirmed project of 2026: the delivery of 29 new homes for the North Stradbroke Island Aboriginal & Islanders Housing Cooperative, delivered in collaboration with the Queensland Department of Housing and Public Works and Kaunitz Yeung Architecture.
Located on North Stradbroke Island, this project represents more than the delivery of housing — it reflects a shared commitment to community, trust, and thoughtful design, supported by Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).
This project has been made possible through the support of the Queensland Government and the North Stradbroke Island community, with all partners aligned around a clear goal: delivering high-quality, well-designed homes through a smarter, more efficient construction approach.
By using MMC and off-site manufacturing, ModnPods is able to focus on:
Consistency and quality in design and construction
Reduced on-site disruption
Greater certainty in delivery outcomes
This approach supports the delivery of homes that are built with care, intention, and long-term performance in mind.
From the outset, the North Stradbroke Island community welcomed the ModnPods team with openness and warmth. That trust is something we hold with deep respect.
As manufacturing commences, we recognise the responsibility that comes with delivering homes for community — and the importance of listening, collaborating, and working in a way that honours place and people.
At ModnPods, we believe that how housing is delivered matters just as much as what is delivered. Our work is guided by strong corporate commitments that place people and planet at the centre of every project. From lean manufacturing processes and quality assurance through to ethical collaboration and local employment, each project reflects our commitment to building better — not just faster.
This North Stradbroke Island project is a clear example of what can be achieved when government, community, architects, and manufacturers work together with shared intent.
As our first project of 2026, this development marks an important milestone for the ModnPods team and reinforces the role modular construction can play in delivering meaningful housing outcomes across Queensland and Australia.
We are proud to be part of this journey and grateful for the trust placed in us by all project partners.
At ModnPods, modular construction is not just about efficiency — it’s about responsibility.
Our operations are guided by strong corporate commitments that place people and planet at the centre of how we do business. From lean manufacturing principles and ethical supply chains to local job creation and community impact, every Pod we build reflects our belief that better housing outcomes require better ways of working collaboratively.
ModnPods is proud to:
Manufacture locally and support Australian supply chains.
Design with environmental responsibility in mind across the full lifecycle of our buildings.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement, safety, and respect for our people.
Work collaboratively with government, industry, and community partners.
These commitments shape represent not only who we are and what we build, but how we grow.
Mayor Tate’s visit this week reinforced something we strongly believe: the Gold Coast is a city that says yes to bold ideas — and modular construction is one of them. As housing demand increases, off-site manufacturing offers a proven and scalable solution. With plans to expand our operations even further, ModnPods is focused on delivering housing solutions that are practical, high-quality, with exquisite design in mind.
We’re proud of what we’re building on the Gold Coast — for the Gold Coast, and for communities across Australia.
Thank you City of Gold Coast and Invest Gold Coast for your continued support!
Let’s go.
ModnPods has delivered its first two-storey modular accommodation project at Ashmore Palms Holiday Village on the Gold Coast. The project marks an important milestone for the company and demonstrates how modular manufacturing can support the evolving needs of the tourism sector.
Ashmore Palms Holiday Village is a well-known destination that continues to invest in high-quality accommodation for its guests. As a result, the project provided the perfect opportunity to introduce a new two-storey modular solution designed for holiday parks and tourism operators.
Traditionally, modular accommodation in holiday parks has been limited to single-storey buildings. However, growing demand for higher density accommodation is changing the way these spaces are designed.
ModnPods responded by developing a two-storey modular accommodation solution that maintains architectural quality while improving land efficiency. In addition, the design allows operators to increase accommodation capacity without expanding the overall site footprint.
This approach supports tourism operators who want to grow their offering while maintaining the character of their existing sites.
The project was manufactured at the ModnPods facility using the company’s advanced modular production systems.
Because the majority of construction occurs off-site, manufacturing can run in parallel with site preparation. As a result, overall project timeframes can be significantly reduced compared with traditional construction methods.
At the same time, the controlled factory environment ensures consistent quality and improved efficiency throughout the build process.
This project highlights the growing role of modular construction within the tourism and accommodation sectors.
More importantly, it demonstrates how modular buildings can support operators who need faster delivery, consistent quality, and well-designed accommodation for their guests.
As tourism demand continues to grow across Australia, modular manufacturing offers a scalable solution for the future of holiday park development.
The completion of this project represents an important step in the ongoing evolution of ModnPods’ modular solutions.
By delivering its first two-storey modular accommodation project, ModnPods continues to expand what is possible within modular construction. The result is a flexible building approach that supports modern tourism accommodation while maintaining architectural integrity and construction efficiency.
For more information about the project check all the details about this project in the Case Study section!
Thanks to an investment from the Queensland Government’s QIC-managed Business Investment Fund, the company is set to revolutionise the modular housing and accommodation industries, scaling up production and significantly reducing build times. This milestone marks a turning point for ModnPods, which is now positioned to produce up to 200 high-quality modular pods annually, supporting the increased demand for affordable housing solutions.
The new 6,300 square metre factory, made possible by the Queensland Government’s support, has allowed ModnPods to increase its manufacturing capacity tenfold. With the introduction of the new facility, the company reduced the previous 16-week build time to an impressive 32 days. Moreover, ModnPods is now operating at a remarkable 24-day turnaround, with a brand-new pod leaving the factory every 3 days with a view toward producing a pod every day at full capacity.
The accelerated growth of ModnPods has translated into substantial job creation for the local community. Over the past year, more than 36 new jobs have been generated, and an additional 50 jobs are expected to be created by next year. This investment not only strengthens local manufacturing but also boosts the tourism and trade sectors in the region.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk commended ModnPods for its innovative approach to addressing challenges in the construction supply chain and workforce. She remarked, “ModnPods are changing the game in the delivery of modular housing solutions, with their new facility scaling production from 20 to 200 pod homes every year. Through the support of the Queensland Government’s Business Investment Fund, ModnPods are producing homes faster, which is what we need to see to meet current demands. It’s also terrific to see local manufacturing back on the Gold Coast and the 36 jobs already created through our investment, with a further 50 jobs expected by next year.”
Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick praised ModnPods’ remarkable growth story and acknowledged the significant impact of the Business Investment Fund. “In just one year, ModnPods have quadrupled their space, tripled their workforce, are increasing production tenfold and reducing build times by 70 per cent. Those numbers speak to a remarkable growth story, fuelled by the capital made available through the Business Investment Fund.”
Meaghan Scanlon, Minister for Housing, also expressed her enthusiasm for ModnPods’ achievements, stating, “When we back and invest in Queensland businesses it means they can deliver more for Queensland – including new homes to help tackle national housing pressures. “ModnPods is just one of many businesses in our state we’ve engaged to build 100 social and government employee homes by the end of this year,” she continued.
Stuart Giles, the Managing Director of ModnPods, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the housing affordability space and create more local employment opportunities. “We’re delighted that ModnPods is contributing to the provision of solutions in the housing affordability space while supporting growth in local employment opportunities across the manufacturing and tourism sectors. The opportunity to showcase the talents and skills of our Queensland workforce to deliver innovations that are driving this spectacular growth story is something we feel privileged to have, and we’re proud of our achievements to date.”
Looking ahead, ModnPods is eager to explore further innovations and initiatives as they move toward full capacity in the new factory. Additionally, the company is actively considering future production facility locations in Queensland to continue its commitment to providing affordable housing solutions.
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