Pushing Prefabrication

Prefab did not immediately take off because of the immense investment needed to establish a nationwide factory network; the lack of predictable, precise execution in the precomputer era; and relatively low labor costs for conventional construction. However, the dream certainly isn't dead. For if the aims of prefabrication in architecture remain the same, the ways in which architects harness its potential now vary widely. Contemporary prefabrication operates at several scales, including that of specific systems like mechanical and plumbing distribution, building components such as facade units, and individual modular spaces like bathrooms, in addition to entire buildings. Prefabrication also represents a substantial share of new single-family residential construction. Here, Fortmeyer discusses the benefits of prefabrication.