Assembly of Prefabricated Components for House Construction

Assembly of prefabricated components for house construction is a building method that involves the industrial production of building components and their on-site assembly. It is also known as prefabricated or modular construction.

Main Types and Technologies This approach encompasses three primary types: panel-based, box-based, and frame-based prefabrication, with technical systems including prefabricated concrete structures and steel structures. The range of components is extensive, covering prefabricated beams, slabs, walls, columns, and other products. Modular construction takes this a step further by breaking down buildings into independent modules. These modules undergo complete prefabrication in factories, including ceilings, floors, and plumbing and electrical systems, before being transported to the site for assembly, achieving a “building-block-like” construction process.

Core Advantages

1. Reduced Construction Time: Modular construction reduces project timelines by over 60% compared to traditional methods. For instance, a public housing project in Shenzhen, Guangdong, utilized 6,028 concrete modules to compress the construction period from 2.5-3 years to just one year. In Ningbo, Zhejiang, the main structure of a fully prefabricated residential building was completed in only seven days.
2. Pollution Reduction: Factory-based production significantly lowers on-site noise, dust, construction waste, and traffic congestion. Fujian Province has achieved a more than 70% reduction in construction waste through industrial base development.
3. Quality Control: Each prefabricated component is equipped with an “ID card” that records project name, product model, and production date. Design precision is measured in millimeters, with strict control over steel bar positioning errors.
4. Energy Efficiency and Environmental Protection: This method aligns with industrial production practices, significantly improving resource and energy utilization efficiency.

Development History and Policy Support China's prefabricated concrete technology originated in the 1950s, initially applied in factory and residential construction. By the 1970s, technical systems such as large-panel and box structures had formed. However, the 1980s saw a stagnation due to cost and quality issues. In the 21st century, companies like Vanke Group developed prefabricated shear wall residential structural systems, revitalizing the technology. At the policy level, the 2016 “Guidelines of the General Office of the State Council on Vigorously Developing Prefabricated Buildings” established its strategic importance. Local targets include achieving an 80% share of newly started prefabricated buildings in Hainan Province by 2025 and implementing 100% prefabricated construction for residential land in Guangzhou from 2026 onwards. Additionally, China's exports of prefabricated houses have grown significantly, with export value in the Guangzhou Customs area increasing by 38.1% year-on-year in the first four months of 2026.