Is Prefabrication the Future of Construction?

A Case Study looking at Royal Wharf Residential Development, London and the use of off-site prefabricated construction technologies.

Prefabrication and off-site construction is currently one of the most widely discussed topics within the construction industry. Hailed by some, as the future of construction in GB & Ireland, it is seen as one of the industries answers to ‘playing it’s part’ in the response to tackle climate change and reduce it’s carbon footprint.

Prefabrication is not a new concept to the construction industry and has been utilised in different forms for decades. The term ‘Prefabricated’ is used to describe a multitude of building and fabrication methods by which units or components are manufactured off-site and then relocated to the construction site for final assembly or integration into the building.

At TODD, we have seen a trend towards prefabrication and modular construction in several sectors including residential, education, commercial and leisure. With a growing shortage of skilled workers and skilled trades personnel within the construction sector, the labour costs associated with traditional construction methods are gradually increasing and reinforcing the trend for Clients and Principal Contactors to consider the advantages and benefits of prefabricated and unitised approaches.