New construction methods are gaining ground in a market that is modernizing but is still dominated by traditional construction.

For some time now, cranes, construction fences, and projects of varying scales have dominated the skylines of cities large and small—especially in those where new neighborhoods and residential developments are springing up. However,the construction industry is reinventing itself by seeking new approaches that will make it a more efficient, sustainable, and—ultimately—modern sector.

Industrialized housing appears to be a more than viable alternative for meeting not only the sector’s requirements but also the new demands of consumers who are increasingly aware of the need to reduce their ecological footprint at all levels. From this perspective, industrialized construction offers advantages over traditional systems, fostering the development of more sustainable homes that, ultimately, are shaping up to be the homes of the future.

But what are the main characteristics of industrialized homes? What sets them apart from traditional home construction? Are they the same as prefabricated homes? These and other questions come up frequently when discussing industrialized home construction, but in this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about industrialization and innovation in housing.

What is industrialized construction?

To speak of industrialized construction is to speak of innovation—the kind that drives the evolution of construction systems, which today make it possible to move away from traditional on-site construction and instead develop buildings in industrial facilities. This is precisely the key to the new types of industrialized construction.

We are talking about homes whose construction process is not limited to the lot on which they are built. Industrialized housing construction allows elements such as walls and floor slabs to be manufactured off-site—that is, in facilities equipped for that purpose—and then those same modules to be transported and assembled on-site.

In practice, this procedure is not only more efficient; it also reduces construction time and minimizes the likelihood of errors associated with construction without compromising the design or the quality of the finishes, among other benefits.

Are industrialized, prefabricated, and modular buildings the same thing?

Although some people use the terms “industrialized housing” and “prefabricated or modular homes” interchangeably, the truth is that they are not the same thing. For starters, unlike industrialized housing, prefabricated homes are typically based on standard designs, which significantly limits the possibilities for customization.

It is also worth noting that this type of housing construction is carried out entirely in a factory. Once manufactured, the home is transported to the construction site, where the ground and foundation have already been prepared.

Advantages of Industrialized Construction

As we mentioned earlier, industrialized housing construction offers certain advantages over traditional systems. In addition to shorter construction timelines, higher-quality workmanship, reduced waste generated during the manufacturing process, and the potential for job creation, these are the main benefits of this system—but there’s more.

Manufacturing: Design and Optimization

The manufacturing process is undoubtedly one of the biggest draws of industrialized homes. Thanks to the system used, not only are delivery times reduced, but so is the likelihood of unforeseen issues. The quality controls during the manufacturing of the various structural components are exhaustive, and qualified personnel are responsible for resolving any deviations prior to the construction of the home in question.

Industrialization makes it possible to begin the manufacturing process even before work starts on-site, allowing different parts of the home to be manufactured simultaneously. However, unlike prefabricated homes, the level of customization is maximized: minimalist industrialized homes, with one or more stories, featuring different climate control systems… The possibilities are endless.

More Sustainable Homes

Sustainability is another hallmark of industrialized construction. The use of this system leads to a reduction in waste, which essentially results in a lower environmental impact.

Price and Quality

Industrialized home construction results in cost savings of between 10 and 15 percent. However, this investment should not be confused with the final price of the properties, which generally is not much different from that of traditional homes.

One of the keys may lie in the quality of industrialized homes, which in recent years have evolved in this direction by incorporating top-quality materials—even surpassing those used in traditional construction.

Newly Built Prefabricated Homes

At Culmia, we are committed to change, which is why we are dedicated to industrialization and innovation in our homes. Process control allows us to reduce delivery times while improving construction quality and making our homes more sustainable.

To stay at the forefront of the industry, we embrace the Lean Construction philosophy, which allows us to set aside any activity that does not add value and focus our efforts on maintaining the workflow. Tools such as the BIM system for the digital organization and management of project information, the LPS (Last Planner System) methodology, and IPD (Integrated Project Delivery) are part of our day-to-day operations.

All of this adds up to a residential offering that prioritizes sustainability, quality, and various forms of innovation, placing the user at the center of the design to provide homes that are more sustainable, healthy, adaptable, and connected.