West Town passers-by got an eyeful on Nov. 9, when a two-story, four-bedroom house was craned into the sky and lowered into place on the 1400 block of West Ohio Street. The new C3 prefab modular house from Square Root Architecture has been in the planning stages for several years, yet took only three months to construct and eight hours to install. It’s being heralded as a pioneer in Chicago, a city slow to join the prefab movement.
What is meant by “prefab” and “modular,” exactly?
Prefab can mean any unit of housing (walls, roofs, rooms, etc.) that is constructed off-site (usually in a controlled indoor environment) and transported to its final construction site. Modular is a form of prefab where complete building volumes are constructed off-site and then craned into place.
What are the selling points of prefab housing?
Because the construction happens in a controlled environment, it happens faster and with higher quality workmanship that, among other things, significantly reduces air infiltration. The energy efficiency and shortened construction time line translate to a substantial cost savings to the homeowner. (The West Town house cost about $190 per square foot.)
Is all prefab by definition green?
Certain attributes of it are — more efficient use of materials, less waste, higher energy efficiency — but not all.
What are you most excited about regarding this house?
The vegetated exterior courtyard at the center of the home. We designed it to bring natural light and ventilation into the core of the building.
What’s next for prefab housing?
More of it in Chicago, I hope, and I also think we will see a growth in sustainable building products.
