Motivations and Limitations of Prefabricated Building: An Overview

Abstract

Based on previous studies, prefabricated building usage motivations in the construction sector differ over time and vary from country to country. To adopt this technology, awareness on current trends and the latest innovations should be increased by reviewing previous studies. The objective of this study is to conduct a revision of common motivations and limitations of prefabricated building in the construction industry taking into consideration the experience gained and reported by several countries. Results show that the adaptation of prefabricated building mainly depends on factors such as labor shortage, labor cost, housing demand, building process efficiency, weather, as well as reduction of waste material and energy consumption. Prefabricated building has a relatively low uptake in construction industries worldwide despite its inherent economic, environmental, and social benefits.