Developer Mirvac has cut the time it takes to build a townhouse by 25% by using prefabrication.
After trialling the method, which also reduced labour hours by 11%, it will introduce it throughout its residential construction portfolio.
During a trial of the method Mirvac craned premade sections of double-layer cassette floor into place as well as wall panels which already contained facade panels, window frames and glass.
The panels needed only rendering and painting on site.
Mirvac head of residential Stuart Penklis says prefabrication and off-site manufacturing will help them mitigate risks while also improving safety.
It also enables Mirvac to reduce construction costs and will help it achieve its aspiration to send zero waste to landfill by 2030.
Mirvac began exploring prefabrication a few years ago by installing bathroom pods in its apartment developments.
Its 300-home Riverlands project will be built with prefabricated walls, floors and bathrooms which will significantly reduce on-site construction.
Penklis says it is critical to achieve a significant scale for the method to be effective.
“As we increase our scale and volumes, we’ll start to see the benefits from a cost perspective,” he says. “But at the moment, it’s probably been lineball.”
