Heading for the USA

Is it really possible to assemble houses like a toy construction set?

The idea may sound far-fetched, or simply refer to temporary, stop-gap structures, yet, off-site construction illustrates a way forward for the industry. 

Today, the total mass of human constructions on Earth weighs more than the entire biomass of animals and plants. And construction remains a major consumer of materials. Yet needs are changing fast: buildings must adapt to climate change, be able to evolve, meet new requirements... and many cities are facing a real housing crisis.

In this context, the benefits of off-site construction are manifold. First and foremost, it enables substantial savings in materials, and therefore in the amount of waste produced. This is essential: resources are becoming increasingly scarce, and worldwide demand for housing remains strong - so we need to do more with less.

It also considerably improves the quality of construction: manufacturing offers both economies of scale and greater control over the quality of materials. Bottom line: better-insulated homes that are more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

Off-site construction can also be a useful response to the housing crisis faced by many regions: we've seen homes in New England, USA, assembled in five days. Not only does this drastic reduction in construction times enable us to better meet demand, it also represents a significant improvement in working conditions. An important point in a sector that is struggling to attract new workers.

So, could off-site construction become the new standard in the building industry? In the USA, at any rate, it's a technique that's gaining popularity. Climate change will require all business sectors to evolve and transform their practices. Off-site construction undoubtedly represents one of the most significant developments of recent years, provided we overcome certain prejudices and are ready to use all the solutions available to us.