Prefab Performers - Sanctuary Magazine Prefab Performers - Sanctuary Magazine

If you still think prefab is code for ‘cookie cutter’ you’d be wrong. There has been a widespread architectural revolution when it comes to prefabricated construction; now, almost any design is possible. We look at the latest developments in Australia.

In this special feature, we speak with 16 companies offering what can be called ‘prefabricated’, ‘factory’ or ‘off-site’ construction services. We have selected those with a focus on the residential sector and which provide options for high building energy star ratings, renewable materials and cost-effective production.

Archiblox opened shop in 2012 and already has the capacity to complete 40 to 60 modular housing projects per year, depending on the balance of bespoke and ‘smart’ designs on the books. “We encourage people to consider our smart designs because we can achieve greater efficiencies with cost and coordination of the build,” says Archiblox founder Bill McCorkell, who’s both an architect and builder. There are at least 11 Archiblox ‘smart designs’ to work from, and each modular building can be modified to suit the client and site; special care is taken with regard to orienting for passive solar design and to capture views without affecting thermal performance.