Audio File \\

Audio File

information in this exhibition is listed in U.S. dollars and subject to change.

Andrew Blauvelt, exhibition curator
Prefab Primer

(:title Prefab Primer:) There is no single definition of prefab. In fact, one could argue that almost every house built today has elements of prefabrication, since components such as roof trusses and windows are built off-site. Prefab can perhaps be best understood as a continuum with several points along a path—from a unique, custom-designed, stick-built home at one extreme to a complete factory-built house delivered on-site as a single unit.

Among the major categories are the kit home, the panelized system, and the volumetric module. The kit offers all the major structural elements and occasionally all the parts necessary for a complete house. Assembled on-site by the homeowner or a contractor, it requires the labor of subcontractors to finish it. A panelized system involves a series of prefabricated parts put together at the site. Major sections such as roof, floor, and wall panels are made in the factory, thus simplifying the building process. This approach requires the on-site labor of a contractor and subcontractors. The modular home is built in a factory and arrives at the site as a finished unit, or more often than not, as a series of modules to be connected. Most require a short period of finish work. All prefab types require a site, of course, and at least some amount of preparation, such as utility hookups, foundations, and basements.

The major advantages of prefabrication are:
1. Time is saved. The overall construction schedule is compressed because all major trades operate at one facility in a coordinated fashion and under supervision. Conventional building projects often experience delays caused by the wait for available subcontractors, scheduling conflicts, and inclement weather.

2. Money is saved. Materials can be purchased in bulk by the manufacturer, and factories are generally located in places where labor is not as expensive. Production takes place within a controlled environment and production-line efficiencies add to the savings.

3. Construction waste is reduced. During the building process, raw materials are not exposed to the elements and theft is also diminished, even eliminated. Standardized prefab construction is designed to be highly efficient while producing elements in multiples.

4. House structure tends to be much sturdier. Modules and certain components are built and reinforced to withstand transport at high speeds and on bumpy roads as well as the stress of being lifted by crane.

While most people expect a prefabricated home to be cheaper than a conventional house, much depends on the materials and finishes used and the economy of scale that can be realized in serial production. The region of the country in which it is built is also an important factor in the overall cost. Please note that provisional pricing information in this exhibition is listed in U.S. dollars and subject to change.