Modular Innovation at ChileMass: ESG, Emissions & Impact
On October 7th, 2022, Triumph Modular was invited to speak at ChileMass Innovation Day at MIT in Cambridge, MA—an event focused on advancing modular construction and sustainability, along with education, energy, and economic development.
ChileMass is a U.S.-based nonprofit supported by the Chilean and Massachusetts governments. It fosters innovation by creating public–private collaborations across four key sectors:
- Technology
- Energy
- Education
- Economic Development
The two-day ChileMass Innovation Day event brings together thought leaders from the U.S. and Chile to explore sustainable, high-value business and technology ventures. For Triumph Modular, it was an opportunity to engage in conversations that shape the future of construction—and to share how modular innovation supports ESG goals.
ESG Panel Featuring Triumph’s CEO
Triumph Modular CEO Joseph Vecchiolla participated in a panel discussion on Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG), where he discussed the environmental toll of traditional construction and the need for better solutions.
Joseph explained that the construction industry is responsible for nearly 38% of global greenhouse gas emissions, due to:
- Raw material manufacturing
- On-site construction operations
- Construction waste and debris
He highlighted how modular construction offers a smarter approach: by building off-site in a centralized factory, projects reduce emissions and eliminate much of the inefficiency tied to traditional methods.
With modular construction, the building arrives up to 90% complete, reducing the active construction timeline by up to 50% and dramatically lowering job site disruption and emissions.
Europe Leads in Modular Sustainability
Joseph also noted that while most of Europe has embraced modular construction and sustainability as a combined strategy, the U.S. lags behind—with modular still accounting for only about 5% of new construction in Massachusetts.
To help illustrate modular’s potential, he used Legos to demonstrate how modular and traditional buildings can have identical end results—yet modular drastically cuts material waste, build time, and on-site labor.
Modular construction can reduce emissions by up to 37% and has proven to be an effective solution for organizations seeking to combat climate change.
Putting People First
Beyond environmental benefits, Joseph spoke on the importance of culture. He emphasized that companies must prioritize their people—not just through words, but actions. Promoting equity, diversity, and shared purpose creates a meaningful workplace where employees feel part of something bigger.
He urged attendees to align company missions with real-world impact, especially as employees increasingly seek work that supports a broader social or environmental goal.
A Final Word on Innovation
Joseph closed with a call to action: keep innovating. He reminded the audience—especially students—that innovation shouldn’t be driven only by profit. Even small, quiet contributions help push society forward.
Triumph Modular remains committed to innovation in modular construction while uplifting the people and communities it serves.
Click below to watch Joseph’s full panel discussion from ChileMass Innovation Day:
