Barriers to prefab construction in Australia (and how to break them)

Interview with Amy Marks

– by Stephanie McDonald

People often only think of prefabrication as only volumetric boxes. Prefabrication or off-site is actually a continuum of elements ranging from intelligent materials, components, subassemblies and also volumetric modules. Many of these elements are invisible to the design and are integrated at the system level like steel frame panels, prefabricated electrical wiring and service modules.

Countries that are setting the standard in construction, like Singapore, are actually requiring the use of prefabrication in projects. They are incentivising developers with monetary incentives to utilise volumetric modules, recognising that these efforts will increase productivity in their industry and grow a supply chain to support their efforts, ultimately driving down the cost of construction while increasing quality.

Read the full article:
http://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/features/comment/barriers-to-prefab-construction-in-australia-and-h