Prefabs – A Lesson From History

Public Authorities around the world are struggling with various housing issues. Whether it is a shortage of affordable housing, lack of student accommodation or housing refugees, they are increasingly turning to modular construction as a potential solution to resolving these issues quickly.

This is not a new problem or a new solution. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the UK taking a dedicated approach to modular housing that has parallels for today.

During World War 2, the UK Government realised they were facing a housing crisis owing to bomb-damaged cities and a need to house servicemen returning from war and – in many cases – their young families.

In 1942, the government set up the Burt committee to “consider materials and methods of construction suitable for the building of houses and flats, having regard to efficiency, economy and speed of erection.” They devised an ideal design for single storey detached homes and that fed into the resulting Housing (Temporary Accommodation) act of 1944 and the Emergency Factory-Made Housing Programme.

This act authorised the Government to spend up to £150m (approximately £5.5bn when converted to 2024 values) on building temporary prefabricated houses which came to be known as prefabs.

Ultimately, 156,623 prefab bungalows were built between 1945 and 1949 designed to have a lifespan of 10 years. The Government was conscious that although this would solve a temporary problem, there was still a need for a permanent solution, and around the same time, started showcasing different types of permanent prefabricated designs. In the decade after the end of World War 2, nearly 500,000 permanent homes were built using some form of prefabrication.

Many developers and architects were involved in both temporary and permanent houses so there were a variety of designs, methods and materials used, including timber, light steel and concrete.

These houses solved a major problem and, in many cases, dramatically improved the living standards of their residents. Even the “temporary” prefabs were much loved and there are estimated to be around 8000 still in use.

The UK was not alone in embracing prefabrication and it was used to great effect in other countries impacted by World War 2, as well as those such as USA, Canada and Sweden who shared their pre-war experience with the countries who needed to quickly pivot to a new approach to match circumstances and need.

The UK approach in the 1940’s highlights how a centrally driven, centrally funded initiative based around core standards, but involving different providers can quickly deliver distinctive, varied and quality accommodation that residents really appreciate.

The modern modular industry looks very different to the prefabricated industry of 80 years ago, but it too has the ability to deliver quick solutions for both short and long-term needs. Perhaps there are lessons to be learnt from the UK from 80 years ago.