Prefab Collection

Building of a prefabricated houses in 3 hours 1945
During the Second World War many houses were destroyed, due to this, prefabricated houses (prefabs) were built, quickly and cheaply providing quality housing with all the amenities, central heating

Bailey Bridge and Rhine victory by G. H. Davis
The Bailey Bridge: the British weapon which hurdled Allied armies across the Rhine barrier during the Second World War. Some constructional details of a great engineering invention

Stockheath Boys Club
The Nissen huts which form the Stockheath Boys Club and Youth Centre, near Havant, Hampshire, England. Date: 1950s

Migrant family from Oklahoma, first occupants of Westley camp, California, 1939. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Migrant family from Oklahoma, first occupants of Westley camp. California

United States government camp for migratory workers, (FSA), Westley, California, 1939. Creator: Dorothea Lange
United States government camp for migratory workers, (Farm Security Administration-FSA), Westley, California. Pre-fabricated steel shelters replace the use of tents

Prefabricated steel dwellings, Farm Security Administration, Farmersville, California, 1939. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Prefabricated steel dwellings (one step up from a tent) replace the use of a tent in the newer California camps. United States government camp for migrants, Farm Security Administration

United States government camp for migratory workers (FSA), Westley, California, 1938. Creator: Dorothea Lange
United States government camp for migratory workers (Farm Security Administration-FSA), Westley, California. Pre-fabricated steel shelters replace the use of tents

Ideal kitchen 1946 P_H00004_001
Two women in a demonstration kitchen in an exhibition held by the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Food, July 1946. The exhibition may have been held at Bankes Stores

Prefabricated Ports, each as big as Gibraltar were manufactured in Britain in sections, towed across the Channel, and set down off the coast of Normandy

Postwar pre-fabs in Cadewell, Torquay in the 1960s

Two Prefabricated Ports, each as big as Gibraltar were manufactured in Britain in sections, towed across the Channel, and set down off the coast of Normandy

Prefab shops occupy one side of Broadgate in Coventry city centre. They were errected in 1947 as temporary shops when Whitehall would not sanction anything better

Assembling a prefab P_H00043_005
Trowley Rise, Abbots Langley, Three Rivers, Hertfordshire. Workmen assembling a Swedish prefabricated house in Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire

Prefabricated unit delivered to a garden by crane
Prefabricated unit, complete with curtains at the windows, delivered to a garden by crane. Date: circa 1960s

Troops from the British Army of the Rhine (BOAR) leaving the Empire Lance at the Mulberry Dock in Hull, preparing for demobilisation and some returning home on leave. 16th August 1946

Crystal Glen, The Heath, Cardiff, Wales. 14th August 1961

Prefab Bungalows Prefab Housing. A village of new prefab housing in Capenhurst, Manchester. A car drives through the village on what looks like a new road

Prefab Bungalow. Prefab Housing... Mrs Baker gets to know her new kitchen. Mr and Mrs Baker have moved into their £ 250 Prefab Bungalow

Dockland Houses, Isle of Dogs. Families set up home in pre-fabricated houses, Circa 1946

Children playing, outside Dockland Houses, Isle of Dogs. Families set up home in Nissen huts, pre-fabricated houses, Circa 1946

Dockland Houses, Isle of Dogs. Families set up home in pre-fabricated houses, Circa 1946

Dockland Houses, Isle of Dogs. Families set up home in pre-fabricated houses, Circa 1946

An elderly woman pauses to look at the World War Two prefab shop on the corner of Corporation Street and Hill Street, Coventry possibly for the last time as they are due to be demolished to make way

Nonsuch House, (c1872). Creator: Unknown
Nonsuch House, (c1872). Nonsuch House on old London Bridge was originally constructed in the Netherlands, taken apart and shipped to London in pieces in 1578

Ambulance delivering a cylinder of gas, Woolwich, London, 1946
Ambulance delivering a gas and air cylinder, Woolwich, London, 1946. The ambulance driver is handing over the cylinder of gas to a midwife at a prefabricated bungalow

Prefabricated aluminium homes 1945
During the Second World War many houses were destroyed, due to this, aluminium prefabricated houses (prefabs) were built, by Britains aircraft industry

Advert for the development of Hiduminium houses 1945
Applications for Hiduminum pre-fabricated homes. When the nation wants houses industry gives us it confidence. Each home was made from aluminium alloys

Temporary homes 1945
During World War Two many houses were bombed, there were a shortage of homes for people after the war so temporary homes where quickly built

Portable Buildings advertisement, 1902
Advertisement for what appears to be extremely substantial portable buildings, for home and colonial use, special attention given to buildings for South Africa

Temporary homes of Britain 1945
Government-approved homes, many houses were destroyed during the Second World War, so prefabricated houses (prefabs) were built, for homeless familes, these were erected quickly and cheaply

A number of prefabricated houses have been erected at the top fo Portland Place, West London. Rubble on the site has been cleared away

Dwarfed by the new Shell skyscraper is the sun cottage. One of three new portable
Dwarfed by the new Shell " skyscraper" is the " sun cottage". One of three new portable homes being inspected by London County Council housing committee

Making a shed at the at the G Ellis joinery works in Hackney. 7 April 1938

Prefab Home In 1936
Milwaukee, Wisconsin: 1936. The 20th Century Home is prefabricated home built by the Harnischfeger Corporation. It has steel framing and will be ready for occupancy in 30 days after purchase

Two Women Sunbathing
United States: c. 1934. Two women relax on the porch on the roof of a Motohome, an experimantal prefab house in the 1930 s

Housing construction in segezh, the paper industry center in karelia, ussr, early 1960s

Assembly of apartment buildings from factory-made parts in khoroshevskoye highway, moscow, ussr, 1951

Construction of an experimental five-story apartment building in novoye cheryomushki, moscow using prefabricated sections, 1962

Loading a truck with concrete blocks
Concrete manufacture. Loading a truck with prefabricated concrete blocks

Detail of facade of prefabricated housing built in the 1960s where many Czechs live in cities, Prosek, Prague, Czech Republic, Europe

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Revolutionizing Construction: The Rise Homes" In 1945, the world witnessed a groundbreaking feat as prefabricated houses were built in just three hours. This remarkable achievement marked a turning point in the construction industry, showcasing the efficiency and speed that prefab homes could offer. One notable example of this innovation was seen during World War II when Bailey Bridges played a crucial role in ensuring victory. G. H. Davis designed these portable bridges, which were assembled swiftly using prefabricated parts, enabling troops to cross the Rhine River with ease. The concept extended beyond military applications. In Stockheath Boys Club, young minds thrived within prefabricated aluminum homes constructed in 1945. These affordable dwellings provided comfortable living spaces for families across the nation. Post-war years brought further advancements, including an ideal kitchen design unveiled in 1946 (P_H00004_001). This modern marvel showcased how prefab structures could incorporate functional and stylish elements seamlessly. Promoting progress and development, adverts for Hiduminium houses emerged in 1945. These temporary homes served as stepping stones towards rebuilding communities devastated by war – offering hope and shelter to those affected. Assembling pre-fabs became a common sight across Britain; one captivating image (P_H00043_005) captured the determination and teamwork involved as individuals worked together to create new beginnings from modular components. Cadewell, Torquay witnessed postwar pre-fabs flourishing throughout the 1960s - testaments to their enduring popularity and adaptability even after decades had passed since their initial introduction. Unprecedented scale was achieved when two colossal prefabricated ports were manufactured on British soil – each rivaling Gibraltar's size. Such monumental achievements demonstrated not only Britain's engineering prowess but also its commitment to embracing innovative solutions on a grand scale. Prefabrication didn't solely focus on residential buildings; it extended into commercial spaces too.