Prefabricated housing, (also known as prefab housing) is a type of construction method where individual building components are manufactured off-site and then assembled on-site to form a complete building. Prefabricated housing has a long history, with the first prefabricated homes being erected during the Interwar Period to address the shortage of housing for war workers.
After the war, prefabricated housing continued to be used as a solution to the housing crisis, with the government constructing large numbers of prefabricated homes to meet the high demand for housing. Some of the notable prefabricated housing schemes from this period include the Ludlow Thompson and the Arcon schemes.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, however, the popularity of prefabricated housing declined as traditional building methods became more cost-effective. Many prefabricated homes were eventually demolished, and new developments did not make use of this method.
In recent years, prefabricated housing has experienced a resurgence in the UK, as advances in technology and construction methods have made it more cost-effective and efficient. Prefabricated housing is being used to address the shortage of affordable housing and to deliver new homes quickly and efficiently.
Prefabricated housing can take many forms, including modular homes, panelized homes, and volumetric homes. These homes can be made from a variety of materials, including timber, steel, and concrete, and can range from small studios to large family homes.