For over 35 years, we have been building quality homes throughout Victoria, Southern New South Wales, and South Australia. But did you know the history of modular building actually goes back further than you may think! Below, we dive into where it all started, through to how Swanbuild is producing modular homes today….
The first modular homes...One of the first modular homes recorded was in the 1600’s when a fisherman from England wanted to take his home across the Atlantic to America. The solution was to disassemble his home into moveable sections and load them onto a boat, to be re-assembled on arrival. But it took some time after this for the idea to really take off. It wasn’t until the great American gold rush, when people flocked to rural areas to make their fortune that the modular method of building really started taking shape.
1800's
As mining towns flourished and grew, new quicker construction methods were needed to help provide homes for the influx of people. Making use of large factories in big cities such as New York, preassembled homes were built in sections then transported across the land to the more remote towns before being pieced back together. This allowed for homes to be built on site much quicker than using traditional methods and allowed small towns to expand. But it wasn’t until 1897 that the idea of modular homes as we know them today became a reality. The E.F Hodgson company is widely regarded as the company that introduced modular building to the masses – to take advantage of America’s growing population, they produced a catalogue featuring modular homes that could be shipped across the country. Other companies quickly followed suit and modular building began to grow. Over the next few years modular building techniques began to become more prevalent across many small towns.
Into the 20th Century...
The final piece of the puzzle that allowed the modular home industry to really find its feet came from the automotive world. Henry Ford innovated the production line in 1913, allowing for the construction of modular homes to become even easier and more efficient. As the production lines grew, so did the capability to make more and more modular homes.
In Australia, after World War II, with many soldiers returning home and starting families a housing crisis emerged and modular building offered fast, affordable housing wherever you were. As the speed and cost efficiency of modular building techniques were realised, people began using it for commercial buildings, with schools and offices using modular to expand their existing structures. By the 1960’s, with businesses and populations growing all over the world, consumers wanted more modern looking designs and took advantage of the customisable nature of modular allowed for them to get exactly the look they wanted. By the end of the 20th Century advances in technology, design and available materials led to many new uses and designs. In 1979 Swanbuild was founded by Phil Perryman, originally building homes using concrete slabs. In the early 2000's, we took our experience in construction and branched out into building modular homes, starting our journey to where we are today.
21st Century...
Since the turn of this century, technology has improved at an incredible speed. This along with new innovations in design techniques and materials has allowed for modular buildings to boom. In 2007 we developed our revolutionary folding roof design, allowing for us to offer high ceilings in our homes, while still being able to transport them to sites. The ability to transport homes over large distances has helped make the modular style of construction very popular in countries such as Australia, where rural towns were thriving and attitudes towards lifestyle changing. Being able to customise every aspect of your home, from floor plans to design and the ability of modern technology to make almost endless styles of build have meant that modular building is now a hugely accessible option, whether you are looking for a holiday home, to downsize, have more room for your growing family or move to the country there is almost nothing that we can’t do!
Swanbuild has many classic, innovative and modern designs, each of which is fully customisable to allow you to get a home that suits your lifestyle. We have grown as a business and pride ourselves on offering high quality homes and customer service. Our processes are sustainable and efficient, allowing us to build your home in our factory and deliver and install on your site with no surprises. Check out our home designs and find one that is perfect for you!
We make it quick and easy to get the home of your dreams, and being at the cutting edge of modular home design allows us to provide hundreds of styles that you can customise so that your new home is one you will love forever.