Prefabricated construction is gaining momentum driven by some exciting new technologies. In the mid-nineteenth century, prefabricated construction was booming, largely due to demand for new homes. The popularity of prefabrication has declined significantly in recent decades, but it has been on the upswing again the last few years.

The construction industry is in need of new solutions to rising project demands and falling new hire rates. Prefabrication presents a solution that can be modernized to become the cutting-edge of construction. Several technologies are rapidly growing the potential of prefabrication, driving innovation and adoption like never before.

1. Automated Manufacturing

One of the main ideas behind prefabrication offsite construction is applying the methodology of an assembly line to creating buildings. Industry experts often compare the prefabrication building process to factory-made cars or furniture. Using an autonomous factory manufacturing process allows prefab buildings to be created at low cost and high quality with quick turnaround. This is often accomplished by creating a set of common pieces that several building designs share, which can be swapped out and put together in a variety of ways.

Automation is being integrated into prefabrication buildings themselves, as well. For example, one prefabrication construction company has created buildings that autonomously generate and store their own energy. This is accomplished through intelligently integrated solar panels. Not only is this autonomous energy generation beneficial for the environment, but it also makes prefabrication buildings more energy-resilient, since they do not rely on old, thin-spread power grids.

2. Modular Construction

prefabrication construction companies are maximizing the advantages of automated manufacturing with modular construction. This particular niche of prefabricated construction uses a set of cross-compatible pieces to assemble buildings like building blocks. For example, a prefabrication company might design standard wall panels that are usable with any of their custom building designs. All of the other building components would be similarly compatible with one another.

This allows individual pieces to be essentially mass-produced. All of the pieces of a building can then be sent to the construction site, where they can be rapidly assembled in a matter of days. In the past, some prefabricated construction companies would essentially move the traditional construction process into an off-site warehouse and then ship large chunks of the building to the destination site.

While this is technically modular construction, newer methods of “building block” modular offsite construction make shipping drastically easier. Shipping a palette of finished wall panels is much easier than shipping an already-assembled unit of a building. Once the pieces arrive at the destination site, it is simply a matter of putting them together and adding interior details, such as assembling cabinetry and appliances.

Modular pieces also allow for easy repairs if something does get damaged during transit and assembly. For example, if a ceiling panel is cracked during travel, it can be swapped out for an identical backup panel without any trouble.

3. Digital Design Technology

Augmented reality and virtual reality are making waves in virtually every niche of construction. These digital tools are invaluable, especially in the planning and design phase. prefabrication companies are using AR and VR to rapidly model new buildings. Design software like AutoCAD or BIM can be used to easily create mockups of prefabricated structures. Then those designs can be ported over to any part of the process as needed, whether for the manufacturing of the building’s pieces or for working with project stakeholders.

For example, clients can use digital design technologies to create a custom layout and building design and then tour it in VR.

Design technology can even take advantage of AI and automation. Generative design is a recent advancement in AI that creates computer-generated designs based on user input. These original designs are optimized to fit any constraints the user wants, such as the load that a piece needs to bear. Generative design is useful for quickly optimizing designs and testing out new ideas. This is especially useful for the rapid, modular offsite construction process.

4. The Cloud

The cloud takes elements of other technologies revolutionizing prefabrication and joins them together. Connectivity is easier than ever with the cloud, one of many benefits of cloud computing.

This is especially useful for collaboration. If a prefabricated structure designer wants to share a digital mockup of a building or component with their client, the two individuals can use the cloud to work on that mockup together. There is no need for everyone to be in the same room or pass around a paper design. This is key to maintaining the speed and efficiency of prefabrication, one of its most valuable advantages.

The cloud is also useful for the actual tracking of the prefabricated construction and manufacturing process. "Internet of Things" sensors can be integrated at checkpoints throughout the manufacturing process to benchmark how quickly and effectively pieces are being created. Then, when everything is moved to the destination site, the cloud can be used to remotely monitor the assembly process. These features are great for keeping clients and stakeholders consistently up-to-date on the progress of their prefabricated structure.

5. Green Design

Green design is affecting many areas of construction, but those effects are especially beneficial in prefabricated construction. In many ways, prefabrication and green design go hand-in-hand. The goals of one benefit the methodology of the other. Green design prioritizes energy efficiency, minimum waste and minimum impact on the environment.

Prefabricated construction is much easier on the environment than traditional construction since build times are quick and thus cause less damage around the build site. Mass production of modular building pieces minimizes waste, as well, since automation reduces human error and optimizes the use of resources.

There are numerous ways that prefabrication is more environmentally friendly than conventional construction, leading to a natural compatibility between prefabrication and green design.

The Future of Construction

Prefabricated construction is changing the landscape of the construction industry forever. This new era of prefabrication is focused on using all of the technology and innovations available. The result is an offsite construction process that is better for the environment, more cost-effective, efficient, flexible and resilient.

Prefabricated structure companies are pushing the boundaries of modern construction, working to make new buildings more accessible. The ingenuity at the foundation of prefabricated construction is thriving in the digital age, where technology is powering the future of construction.