The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1942-10-08

in quality than houses erected BY
hand-craft methods. the magazine
points out that with the present
shortage Of skilled labor the ad-
vantage Of machine precision
house parts contributes to the
quality Of the prefabrcsted home.
The war has given q tremend-
Gus impetus 10 mass-produeed
housing" the Architectural Forum
declares. Entire towns have been
built n q single construction
operation. employing the most ef-
ficient field fabrication technique
Prefshrication plants are working
at capaeity-and expanding their
capacity-to meet government or
ders for war housing.
The home building industry
In acquiring q vast reservoir
Of experience I'm advanced
methods Of construction which
win have an enormous effect
On post war production. For
In . good many ways. the
small house sums up what We
are fighting for.
One measure Of the current
stature Of prefabrication il the
1882 war housing units costing
$500. 0o0. 900 thus far allotted the
prefabricators. Another In the
great variety OF war needs being
served by prefabricated struc-
lures"
Two types Of prefsbrication are
currently in use. the Architectural
Forum explains. The first method
by which a complete house Is
manufactured in a factory and
then shipped. in some cases. sew
eral hundred miles for assembly
and erection at the site. has proven
completely practicable.
The second method. a modifica-
ton of factory fabrication, in
wolves setting up temporary
production unit at or near the site.
Here, under a structure frequent
ly as simple as a canvas tent.
standardized floor, wall. and roof
panels are produced by machine
and q house completely ready to
be lived in is erected in five or
six hours.
Building labor, which at one
time resisted the prospect of pre-
fabrication. is showing complete
cooperation. the editors Of the
Architectural Forum state. The
erection of the houses Is normally
handled by ALL unions and the
fabrication Of the house parts IL
usually handled by CLIO members.
More enlightened union leaders
recognize the enormous production
Of houses which will be required
after the war, and see in the lower
cost which prefabrication produces
an answer to year-round employ
ment.
The editors also point out
that prefabrication may offer
the greatest commercial and
social opportunity Of the post
war period. The great mass
market for postwar housing
obviously will be in the low
cost field.
The prospect Of an annual de-
mand of 500. 900 units is attracting
TO the prefabrication industry a
group of progressive, substantial
businessmen who have already in
vested large sums in plant and
equipment and who are prepared
to expand their facilities immedi-
ately after the wars conclusion.
Prefabrication's contribution to
the war effort Is not limited 10
dwelling units. the Architectural
Forum concludes. Almost every
type of specialized structure. in
GLIDING hospitals. barracks. recre-
alton buildings, post commissaries
and numerous other military struc-
lures, have turned TO prefabnca-
ton as the answer TO speedy con-
struction and compact shipping
space-of great Importance In
meeting the present stringent
transportation shortage. One re-
cent building completely prefabri-
Gated is $50 feet long and two
stories high.