Book Review: Pre-Fab Living
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Y: Cube Mitcham is the first of several developments produced for the YMCA in south London, UK. Designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, the modular units provide affordable starter homes for young people unable to afford a conventional house. Photo courtesy Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners
Book by Avi Friedman (Thames & Hudson, 2021)
Pre-Fab Living provides a timely overview of current pre-fabrication technologies through a collection of projects that explores current design trends and construction approaches. Authored by Avi Friedman, who teaches architecture at McGill and has been a long-time advocate for sustainable and affordable housing, the book includes 40 small to mid-rise projects from around the globe. They’re grouped by themes including Innovative Communities, Apartment Buildings, and Net-zero Homes, presenting pre-fabrication as an evolving and experimental set of processes with ample space for imagination, growth and cross-poll
Hereâs What We Can Learn From Japanese Prefab Homes
Thanks to cutting-edge design, mass production, and customization, prefabricated housing is common practice in Japan.
The highly innovative Japanese prefab housing industry has developed a user-orientated approach by integrating specially developed marketing, design and quality-orientated techniques into its production processes. Customization is delivered through holistic management and balancing the use of standard components with flexibility of assembly. With manufacturers continually striving to bridge the communication gap between themselves and their clients to offer successful mass-customized designs, homebuyers benefit from a sense of ownership and individuality. In turn, the manufacturers benefit from customer satisfaction and a positive reputation in the market.