Material Matters: Why Ribcell's 1970s revival might be the future of prefab housing

Material Matters: Why Ribcell's 1970s revival might be the future of prefab housing
Retired architect Keith Hay. (Image: BusinessDesk)
Greg Hurrell
A retired architect says New Zealand needs to relearn the lessons of prefabricated housing technology from the 1970s to truly cut construction and compliance costs in the industry.BusinessDesk recently highlighted the plight of struggling factory-based house builders running well below capacity.But Keith Hay said prefab building companies in NZ still used the traditional construction methods the industry had built with for decades. That was why they were failing to turn the industry on its head.“There’s no innovation whatsoever,&rdq...

More Property

In defence of the villa
Property

Maria Slade: In defence of the villa

Removing protections from Auckland’s villas won’t solve the housing crisis.

Property, rentals and hiring attract greatest IRD scrutiny
Economy

Property, rentals and hiring attract greatest IRD scrutiny

Blitz has reaped more than $600m in undeclared tax from taxpayers.

Denise McNabb 15 Apr 2025
Seascape developer yet to cough up $36m
Property

Seascape developer yet to cough up $36m

Builder China Construction’s just-filed statements indicate the row isn’t over.

Maria Slade 11 Apr 2025
Vital Healthcare selling $50m worth of Melbourne property
Property

Vital Healthcare selling $50m worth of Melbourne property

The properties are in Box Hill, a highly regarded Australian healthcare precinct.

John Anthony 11 Apr 2025