Modular Classroom Addition | Holmes STEM Elementary School

Permanent Modular Classroom Addition in Ypsilanti, MI

As part of a larger campus renovation and expansion of its STEM programming, Holmes STEM Elementary School in Ypsilanti, Michigan, needed additional instructional space to accommodate enrollment and support students for the upcoming school year. Triumph Modular delivered a 4,835-square-foot permanent modular classroom addition consisting of five modules, designed to serve up to 120 students.

Through a single-source, turnkey construction approach, Triumph managed the project from site preparation through installation and integration with the existing school. The completed addition provides permanent educational space designed to meet the needs of students, teachers, and the surrounding community.

Designed to Complement the Existing School

The modular school building was designed to integrate with the existing campus. A matching brick façade creates a cohesive exterior appearance, while durable interior finishes were selected to withstand daily classroom use.

Inside, carpet and acoustic ceiling systems help reduce noise and create a comfortable learning environment. Exterior rooftop HVAC units provide efficient, reliable heating and cooling throughout the school year.

Turnkey Modular Construction and Site Development

Triumph Modular provided comprehensive construction management services, coordinating site preparation, below-grade piers, modular installation, utility connections, and integration with the existing elementary school.

The project scope included fire protection systems, water, sewer, and electrical tie-ins, along with a covered, vented breezeway and ramp system connecting the new modular classroom addition to the existing building.

Factory partner Whitley South manufactured the modular units, allowing building construction and site preparation activities to be coordinated as part of the overall project schedule.

Overcoming Site and Installation Challenges

The project required adjustments as site conditions evolved. Winter transportation moratorium restrictions affected the original delivery schedule, while elevation differences between the existing parking lot and the building connection presented challenges involving emergency egress, drainage, and playground access.

Triumph coordinated revisions to the civil plan, including the installation of a new drainage system and catch basin. Access doors were also incorporated at both ends of the breezeway to help address emergency access and circulation requirements.

These modifications allowed the project team to address the site’s unique conditions while maintaining the functional connection between the new modular building and the existing school.

Permanent Classroom Space Ready for the 2026 School Year

The completed modular classroom addition was ready for the first day of the 2026 school year. Teachers, students, and school committee members responded enthusiastically to the new learning environment, particularly how quickly the building came together over the summer.

For Holmes STEM Elementary School, permanent modular construction provided additional instructional space while supporting the district’s broader campus renovation and STEM education goals.