It doesn't always have to be a house made of stone

Modern prefabricated houses impress with their sophisticated architecture.

Great diversity and good environmental record

Prefabricated houses are by no means a modern invention. Even in ancient Greece, parts of temple complexes were prefabricated and transported to the construction site.

In Germany, this construction method has been documented for timber-framed buildings since the Middle Ages. Even back then, prefabricated building components were shipped to Iceland and Greenland.

Mass production of prefabricated wooden houses began during the California Gold Rush: in 1849, many gold seekers used the easily assembled accommodations.

The Wolgast House is a precursor to the modern, individually planned German prefabricated house. These artfully decorated villas, constructed from high-quality tropical hardwoods, were built between 1868 and 1910 in the town of Wolgast, near the island of Usedom. The initiator, shipbuilder Henrich Kraeft, also had the idea of ​​publishing a catalog from which clients could individually select elements such as corner towers, balconies, and verandas according to their wishes. This secured Kraeft's company orders worldwide.

The key advantage of prefabricated construction over conventional building methods was already praised by Bauhaus architect Walter Gropius in 1931: the short construction time. The pre-assembly of individual components in the factory makes construction independent of weather conditions and therefore more predictable.

Computer-controlled machines replace manual labor, reducing construction costs. In addition to the design advantages, costs can also be individually planned: Homeowners with DIY skills can save a lot of money by doing some of the work themselves with a kit or shell house.

The material (95 percent of all prefabricated houses are built using timber construction) also ensures a good environmental footprint and low energy consumption. According to the German Prefabricated Building Association, almost all prefabricated houses today are KfW Efficiency Houses.

Post-and-beam construction also allows for multi-story buildings. Solid construction, where the timber frame is filled with concrete, is also possible.

One disadvantage of prefabricated construction is that the resale value is lower after just a few years. Also, a prefabricated house is often less soundproof than a brick-and-mortar house (pay attention to proper impact sound insulation!).

However, prefabricated construction can no longer be accused of being monotonous: whether a city villa in Bauhaus style or a country house style – the variety is vast.