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Our book, Prefab and Modular, embraces the world of innovative opportunities provided by prefabrication and modular construction, billed by many as the future of modern architecture.
Prefabrication and modular construction seem to be the future of architecture. The topic has been tackled for over a century, and now more and more construction processes use these techniques.
Prefab and Modular collects residential and public projects, as well as brand and container architecture, shacks, cabins and extensions that attract professionals looking for new solutions, as well as property owners looking to efficiently purchase, renovate or extend a house.
We spoke to the writer of the book's introduction text - The Timeless Wisdom of Prefabricated Architecture - José Tomás Franco, who is also Head of Brands and Materials at DAAily platforms' (Architonic, ArchDaily, and designboom).
Hi Jose, please tell us a little bit about yourself and how your interest in prefabricated and modular architecture came about?
More than just a personal interest, prefabrication and modularity are so deeply integrated into architecture and many other aspects of modern life that they cannot be ignored—especially by someone who has been closely observing the evolution of architecture and design over the last few years.
I graduated in architecture in 2012 and have been an editor at ArchDaily for more than a decade. From my time at university to my work in digital publications, I have seen how these practices are, in one way or another, present in nearly all the projects being built today. This underscores the relevance and significance of this book.
Working on this project with the gestalten team was deeply enriching. Through an exploration of its history and evolution, we managed to convey the message that prefabricated and modular architecture is not a modern or new concept but rather a practice as old as human ingenuity itself. It is precisely its foundation in common sense that gives it lasting validity and a promising future.
For those interested in exploring the history of prefabricated and modular architecture, who are the key innovators of these techniques, and how and why did they gain popularity?
This is an interesting question because, as you read the book, you will see that key players in prefabrication and modularity have been present throughout human history. The explorations of earlier pioneers paved the way for the innovations of those who followed. You can find valid references and valuable lessons across all eras, tied to projects of various uses, forms, and scales.
Of course, it is true that the innovations of the last decades are often more directly applicable and useful to projects currently in development. If I had to name specific pioneers of Modern Architecture, I would point out the contributions of Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius, Buckminster Fuller, Jean Prouvé, the Eames, and the Case Study Houses Program as essential for study.
In a more recent context, which I emphasize in the book's introduction, I would highlight the philosophy underlying Shigeru Ban’s work. His profound social approach harnesses the power of prefabrication and modularity to achieve remarkable results while minimizing unnecessary effort, focusing on delivering quality solutions for communities and individuals. His work is essential reading for enthusiasts in the field.
Do you have any personal favourite architects and designers, and which of their projects do you admire most?
I deeply admire architects who achieve a lot with very little, creating projects that are simple in form and materiality yet ambitious in the added value they deliver to inhabitants or users. All the projects analyzed in the book embody this approach.
Personally, I have followed the work of MAPA Architects for years. Their projects stand out for achieving highly functional and aesthetically appealing results in compact spaces, while minimizing environmental impact and reducing material waste to a minimum.
I also greatly value the contributions of Caspar Schols, whose integration of mobile systems allows his modular projects to transform and adapt to the changing environmental and site-specific conditions.
Similarly, I find the work of Ignacio Rojas Hirigoyen + The Andes House particularly interesting. Beyond leveraging prefabrication and modularity, they innovate by repurposing low-cost, often underestimated materials, elevating them through exceptional design.
How is the current climate of prefab and modular architecture, and what lies ahead?
The current state of prefabrication and modularity, with their inherent concepts of efficiency, precision, and the appropriate use of necessary resources, holds enormous potential if fully realized alongside thoughtful, integrated design. As highlighted in the examples featured in the book, these approaches could play an even more prominent role in the future of construction, particularly when combined with expanded possibilities enabled by the integration of physical and digital processes. Innovations such as 3D printing, augmented and virtual reality, AI, and data-driven design are paving the way for tech-enhanced construction methods that promise new levels of creativity and enduring value.
However, since the first Industrial Revolution—and maybe even earlier—there has been a persistent risk of reducing prefabrication and modularity to mere tools for rapid mass production, focused solely on maximizing profits. Too often, this has come at the expense of meaningful outcomes for people and has generated negative externalities for both urban environments and the natural world. This duality remains evident in today’s industry, underscoring the importance of this book. It highlights successful cases where human-centered design and environmental responsibility take priority, serving as a reminder that efficiency and speed should align with purpose and integrity.
Embrace the world of innovative opportunities provided by prefabrication and modular construction, billed by many as the future of modern architecture. Order Prefab and Modular now.
$75.00
