Prefabrication has fundamentally changed the way buildings are designed and constructed. Key transformations include:
- Process standardization: Engineers can design components for serial production, reducing errors and improving quality control.
- Digital project planning: Prefabrication is often integrated with BIM (Building Information Modeling), allowing detailed planning of every construction phase before work begins on-site.
- Integration with industrial production: Engineering teams increasingly collaborate with manufacturing engineers as more work shifts from the site to factories.
How Much Has Prefabrication Accelerated Construction?
On average, prefabricated construction:
- Reduces construction time by 30–50% compared to traditional methods.
- Enables parallel workflows (e.g., while foundations are built on-site, prefabricated elements are already being produced).
- Decreases the number of workers required on-site and reduces overall equipment usage time.
Impact on the Economy of a Market
Prefabrication significantly influences the economy through:
- Lower construction costs (fewer workers, less waste, higher precision).
- Increased availability of housing and infrastructure (faster construction = quicker commissioning).
- Stimulation of supporting industries (transport, assembly, digital design).
- Sustainable development: Lower CO₂ emissions, more efficient material use.
Five Global Examples Where Prefabrication Significantly Contributed to Project Success
1. China – Wuhan Hospitals (2020)
l Projects: Huoshenshan and Leishenshan Hospitals
Construction time: 10 days for 1,000 beds
Impact: Modular construction enabled ultra-fast response during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Sweden – BoKlok Housing System
Partners: IKEA + Skanska
Focus: Affordable and rapid housing
Method: Serial production of prefabricated housing units
Result: Reduced costs and construction time with high energy efficiency standards.
3. Singapore – Prefab Technology in Public Housing (HDB)
Technology: PPVC (Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction)
Time savings: Up to 40% faster construction
Result: High-rise residential buildings built in record time with minimal noise and pollution.
4. United Arab Emirates – “The Opus” and Other Luxury Projects in Dubai
Technology: 3D prefabrication and modular units
Goal: High-quality construction with fast execution
Result: Combination of aesthetics, speed, and efficiency in luxury architecture.
5. United States – Marriott Hotels (Project in New York)
Method: Fully prefabricated hotel room modules built off-site
Construction time: 26-story hotel assembled in about 90 days
Result: Marriott uses prefabrication for faster ROI and reduced construction delays.