Prefabs: A social and architectural history

After the Blitz, governments championed prefabrication as a speedy solution to housing needs, resulting in bungalows with pitched roofs, gardens, and mod cons. These homes, meant to last a decade, became beloved and are still standing, with residents fighting to hold on to them. The book explores the success of post-war prefab housing, architectural innovation, and clever solutions to today's housing crisis.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 124 pages
Publication date: 15 August 2018
Publisher: Historic England

After the Blitz, the demand for housing increased significantly, leading successive governments to champion prefabrication as a quick solution. The resulting bungalows, with their slightly pitched roofs, picturesque gardens, and modern amenities, became homes to hundreds of thousands of people across the country, often those who had previously lacked access to hot running water or a refrigerator. It's no wonder that these squat little homes became so cherished. Initially intended to last only a decade, as the country recovered, many prefabs are still standing today, with residents fighting to retain them.

The book explores the growing public fascination with these fast-disappearing houses and the communities they fostered. It provides firsthand accounts from residents, detailing their experiences from the moment they laid eyes on their prefabs to their efforts to hold on to their "little castles" beyond their designated "temporary" timeframe. The authors examine the success of post-war prefab housing in the broader context of British social housing and also delve into architectural innovation and imaginative design in the field of prefabrication. They offer clever solutions to address the current housing crisis.

While the number of prefabs is dwindling, they can still be spotted here and there, nestled among their larger brick-built neighbors. These prefabs serve as a testament to thoughtful design, community building, and the importance of having a place to call home. They remind us of the resilience and creativity of human beings in addressing pressing social and economic challenges.

Weight: 406g
Dimension: 237 x 164 x 11 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781848023512