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Prefabrication and the Construction Industry: An Examination of Design, Construction, and Efficiency

Petras, James P.

Abstract Details

2010, MARCH, University of Cincinnati, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning : Architecture (Master of).
The construction practice of on-site fabrication is antiquated, wasteful, and prone to inaccuracy. This body of research will take a critical look at the act of building to understand the relationship between design, construction, and efficiency. If the conventional construction process could be modified to remedy the problems that are accompanied, architects and contractors would be able to develop buildings that could perform to higher standards, cost considerably less, and quickly be assembled. Conventional construction practices involving the assembly of hundreds of thousands of pieces on location have always resulted in high costs, long durations, and limited flexibility. This system has become the standard method of assembly in the contemporary practice, leaving architects with little control over the execution of their work. Industrialized methods utilizing mass production have developed systems that provide incredible precision at low costs for consumers. Given the amount of architectural planning and information exchange that takes place electronically, there is little reason why so many of the conventional building problems continue to plague this industry. Perhaps the time has come to re-examine the role of the architect and his/her relationship with construction. Understanding and expanding upon our building process could result in lower costs for consumers while improving quality, performance, and the efficiency of construction.
Michael McInturf, MARCH (Committee Chair)
Aarati Kanekar, PhD (Committee Chair)
105 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Petras, J. P. (2010). Prefabrication and the Construction Industry: An Examination of Design, Construction, and Efficiency [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1277120331

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Petras, James. Prefabrication and the Construction Industry: An Examination of Design, Construction, and Efficiency. 2010. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1277120331.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Petras, James. "Prefabrication and the Construction Industry: An Examination of Design, Construction, and Efficiency." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1277120331

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)