With the rising demand for housing and the shortage of supply, many are looking for alternatives that can provide housing quickly and affordably. The use of panelized construction and/or accessory dwelling units (ADUs) could be a feasible alternative.
Last weekend, the Innovative Housing Showcase took place on the National Mall in DC, where many vendors displayed new housing innovations and the building technologies helping to make homes more affordable and more resilient. Among the ideas were modular homes and the use of prefabricated components to create a range of housing types, from a compact ADU to a full house with a big kitchen and up to three bedrooms.
Panelized building systems incorporate construction techniques that use advanced technology, quality materials and a controlled work environment to build energy-efficient homes in less time. Small, affordable houses and custom designed luxury homes can all be built using building systems.
Below are photos of the prototypes that were on display from different vendors:
Another way to make housing more affordable is to build smaller homes and/or make use of backyard spaces. ADUs can fuel this opportunity by allowing homeowners to create an extension to their homes, which they could rent out for an extra income or create an separate living space for a family member or guest.
A previously published article https://bestinamericanliving.com/2020/02/new-legislation-favors-adu-development/ highlights that ADUs are now accepted in many states. The combination of favorable development conditions and the expanded availability of panelized construction could be a win-win in many areas.
The Innovative Housing Showcase helped to demonstrate how systems built construction and ADUs can help to fill the growing gap for attainable housing.
By: Sherin Sameh
