The CTO Housing Alliance

The Center for Offsite Construction (CfOC) at New York Institute of Technology School of Architecture and Design and the Good Developments Group (GDG) have contracted to collaborate on advancing modular construction standardization and industry adoption.

The cross-disciplinary agreement lays the foundation for a strategic partnership called Configure to Order Housing Alliance, a consortium of forward-looking industrialized construction firms that integrates modular innovation with real estate development, ensuring greater efficiency, scalability, and interoperability in offsite construction.

The collaboration centers on developing the CfOC’s modular interface standard, which will be formalized through CfOC’s ANSI-accredited process and in coordination with the International Code Council (ICC). This standard aims to streamline modular construction practices by creating a unified system that allows seamless integration between modular manufacturers, developers, and builders.

This partnership represents a pivotal moment for the modular industry. By aligning with GDG and leveraging their real estate projects, we’re creating a real-world testing ground for modular construction’s future. The CfOC & GDG’s shared goal is to establish a nationwide standard that enables modular adoption at scale.

Image Credit: Henning Larsen for Good Developments Group

Gateway South: A Testbed for Modular Innovation

A key component of the agreement is GDG’s Gateway South Project, a large-scale development on the St. Louis riverfront, which will serve as a showcase for innovative modular and offsite construction methodologies. GDG will lead efforts to convene a national consortium of modular builders, manufacturers, and industry stakeholders, bringing together panelized and volumetric providers to collaborate on real-world projects.

“This LOI is about more than standardization; it’s about industry transformation,” said Greg Gleicher, Founder of Good Developments Group. “The Gateway South project will demonstrate how modular can be integrated into large-scale developments efficiently and cost-effectively. With CfOC’s leadership in modular standardization, we are creating an ecosystem that will define the future of offsite construction.”

Image Credit: Henning Larsen for Good Developments Group

Key Areas of Collaboration

Under the agreement, CfOC and GDG will focus on several strategic initiatives, including:

  • Modular Interface Standard Development: CfOC will lead the ANSI PINS filing process and work with ICC to formalize a national modular standard.
  • CTO Housing Alliance Formation: GDG will bring together leading U.S. modular and offsite construction firms to contribute to standard adoption and project implementation.
  • Industry Promotion & Advocacy: GDG will champion the adoption of CfOC’s modular standard and drive industry-wide engagement.
  • Education & Workforce Development: Both organizations will explore opportunities for joint research, workforce training, and industry convenings to accelerate modular adoption.

GDG has also committed to supporting CfOC activities by providing in-kind contributions—including staff time, expertise, and resources. Additionally, GDG has pledged to sponsor a Senior Research Fellow at CfOC for the 2025-2026 academic year, further strengthening the partnership’s research capabilities.

A Transformative Step for the Modular Industry

This partnership between CfOC and GDG represents a critical step toward making modular a mainstream, scalable solution for real estate development. By integrating modular construction into major projects like Gateway South, the organizations are proving that offsite manufacturing can improve efficiency, reduce waste, and accelerate project timelines.

As modular construction gains momentum nationwide, CfOC and GDG are setting the stage for the next era of innovation—one defined by open collaboration, standardized systems, and real-world impact.

For more information, please visit CTOHA.org, the Good Developments Group, or Gateway South.