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Affordable and sustainable construction with prefabricated masonry modules

München, / Specialized Articles

Munich, 17 October 2025 – Prefabricated modules are considered the key to tomorrow's construction: fast, resource-efficient and economical. More and more projects are relying on this construction method, which is seen as a beacon of hope for the urgently needed transformation of the construction industry. A key advantage is that costs and quality can be reliably planned, and processes are scalable and controllable. This makes modular construction attractive for both private projects and public housing construction.

Multi-storey residential building with white-grey façade and balconies in an urban setting, with parked cars, bicycles and green street area – an example of modern urban architecture.
© PORR
Masonry modules were used in the Hansaallee residential construction project in Düsseldorf.

Modular construction is not a rigid concept – on the contrary: today, builders can choose from a variety of approaches. Wood modules offer maximum sustainability, while precast concrete elements impress with their high load-bearing capacity and quick installation. Masonry modules made of sand-lime brick are particularly well established, combining stability, dimensional accuracy and durability. The choice of module type can be flexibly adapted to the requirements of the respective project – from ecological construction to maximum cost-effectiveness.

According to estimates by the German Property Federation (ZIA), only around 5% of homes in Germany are currently built using serial or modular construction methods. Given the current challenges, the increased use of standardised processes and prefabricated components could provide a decisive boost to residential construction.

Cost efficiency meets sustainability

The demand for affordable housing, sustainable solutions and short construction times is greater than ever. The shortage of skilled workers further exacerbates the already diverse requirements on the construction site. Modular construction offers numerous benefits thanks to its high degree of prefabrication: walls, stairs or entire room modules are prefabricated industrially and efficiently assembled on site. This eliminates the need for material processing on the construction site and streamlines the overall construction process. This saves resources, reduces logistics costs and minimises construction waste. Another advantage is that many modules can be dismantled and reused in line with the principles of the circular economy – a real benefit for the environment and sustainability.

Flexibility for changing uses

In times of space scarcity and redensification, modular construction enables flexible usage concepts: an office building can be converted into living space relatively easily if necessary. Modern residential construction projects show that prejudices against modular construction – often dismissed as ‘prefabricated buildings’ – are long outdated. Today, the focus is on innovative architecture and high-quality execution.

Practical example: the SWD flagship project in Düsseldorf

The project by SWD Städtische Wohnungsgesellschaft Düsseldorf in collaboration with PORR building construction West shows how sustainable and affordable construction with prefabricated modules works in practice. A modern apartment building offering a new home to around 120 people was constructed in Hansaallee in Düsseldorf in a very short time.

Prefabricated sand-lime brick elements were used in the masonry construction – a construction method that impresses with its precision and efficiency and contributed significantly to the rapid completion of the project.

With over 1,600 publicly subsidised flats, SWD is the most important provider of price-regulated housing in Düsseldorf. The project highlights how innovative construction methods and strong partnerships can achieve ambitious goals in terms of cost-effectiveness, sustainability and living comfort.

Efficient processes through prefabrication and LEAN construction

A key factor in the success of the project was the combination of prefabricated sand-lime brick elements with modern LEAN construction management methods. Thanks to precise cycle planning – i.e. dividing the construction process into clearly defined, coordinated steps – the building envelope of the six-storey building with 46 flats and around 3,600 m² of living space was completed in record time. The result: continuous construction progress without delays, optimal use of resources and on-time completion.

Sustainability with a system

The building meets the KfW 55 standard and scores points with its environmentally friendly features: green roofs, a photovoltaic system with an output of 29.6 kWp and an annual electricity generation of around 30,000 kWh – directly benefiting the tenants. Barrier-free flats with balconies or terraces, a newly designed playground as well as car and bike sharing services round off the concept of modern living.

Limits and potential of modular construction

Although the benefits are obvious, the reuse of building components often remains a theoretical concept – as long as there are no comprehensive material banks. In addition, traditional construction methods are still often used for particularly complex construction projects with high architectural demands.

But one thing is certain: modular construction is a forward-looking answer to many of the challenges of our time – economically, ecologically and socially. The Düsseldorf project impressively demonstrates that affordable and sustainable construction with prefabricated modules has long been a reality.

 

If you have any questions, please contact:

Sarah Render

Unternehmenskommunikation / Deutschland
+49 89 71001-475
presse@porr.de