New York State is investing $50 million in modular construction to address the city's housing affordability crisis, aiming to develop faster and cheaper homes through factory-built methods. Despite past challenges and limited adoption in the U.S., the initiative seeks to leverage modular techniques to create affordable housing solutions, with hopes of overcoming industry resistance and past project setbacks.
A couple in Newberg, Oregon, built a customized version of Ideabox's three-bedroom Fuse model, which was built in a factory and arrived on their property in two rectangular pieces. The modules were bolted together and later to the foundation, and the house was move-in ready in three weeks. Building in an enclosed factory with specialized equipment increases a home's energy efficiency, reduces construction waste, and improves working conditions for tradespeople. The cost of a prefab unit is more predictable than other types of construction, and modular homes are recognized as one of the fastest-growing segments of the residential building industry.
