Prefabricated Modular Housing
Prefabricated modular housing is a construction method that involves industrial production of building components and on-site assembly, characterized by high efficiency, environmental friendliness, and high integration.
Core Definition and Construction Model
Prefabricated modular housing, also known as prefabricated assembled buildings or modular buildings, involves breaking down a building into independent modules (such as ceilings, floors, walls, and plumbing and electrical systems), which are then manufactured to standardized specifications in a factory and transported to the construction site for assembly. This process is similar to “building with blocks,” enabling rapid assembly through modular design and significantly shortening construction periods. For example, a public housing project in Shenzhen, Guangdong, utilized 6,028 concrete modules, reducing the completion and delivery time from the traditional 2.5-3 years to just 1 year, cutting on-site labor by approximately 50%, and substantially reducing construction pollution such as noise and dust.
Main Types and Technical Systems
Prefabricated modular housing can be categorized into three main types based on structural form:
- Panel-based Assembly: This type primarily uses prefabricated wall panels and floor slabs, which are assembled on-site to form the building's main structure.
- Box-based Assembly: This approach uses complete spatial modules (such as rooms) as units, integrating interior finishes and equipment, and stacking them directly for assembly.
- Frame-based Assembly: This method involves constructing a frame structure with prefabricated beams and columns, followed by filling in walls and floor slabs.
The technical systems encompass prefabricated concrete structures and steel structures, with component types including prefabricated beams, slabs, walls, and columns. Among these, modular buildings represent a higher level of integration, with all components pre-assembled in the factory and only requiring connection of module interfaces on-site, further enhancing construction efficiency and quality control.
Development History and Policy Support
China's prefabricated concrete technology originated in the 1950s, initially applied in factory and residential construction, but stagnated due to technological limitations. In the 21st century, with improvements in production efficiency and growing environmental demands, the technology has experienced a resurgence. Companies like Vanke Group have developed prefabricated shear wall residential structural systems and promoted prefabricated frame technology; regions such as Fujian Province have established industrial bases through policy support, achieving over 70% reduction in construction waste. Additionally, Chinese-made prefabricated houses have gained popularity overseas due to their cost and efficiency advantages, with exports of movable houses from the Guangzhou Customs area reaching 1.4 billion yuan in the first four months of 2026, a year-on-year increase of 38.1%.
Market Products and Price Range
The current market offers a diverse range of prefabricated modular housing products, including container mobile homes, outdoor residential portable panel houses, and cross-border residential containers. Prices vary based on specifications, materials (such as steel or concrete structures), and suppliers. For example, some simple modular houses are priced between 1,500 and 7,900 yuan, catering to scenarios such as temporary residences and construction site offices.
