Prefabricated Refurbishment in Solid Construction in Germany – Systematic Evaluation of Opportunities and Challenges
Keywords:
prefabrication, serial refurbishment, solid construction, industrialized constructionAbstract
Germany aims to achieve a climate-neutral building stock by 2050, yet many existing residential buildings require substantial refurbishment. A promising approach to speed up these processes is prefabricated refurbishment. While prefabricated timber solutions have gained traction due to their speed and energy performance, their limitations in fire safety and moisture resistance remain critical. Solid construction systems—such as concrete or masonry—offer advantages in durability, fire resistance, and structural performance, but are rarely used in prefabricated refurbishment.
This study explores the potential of solid prefabrication systems for large-scale refurbishment in Germany. A literature review established the current state of serial refurbishment and highlighted differences between timber and solid construction. To address the practical implementation gap, an expert workshop was conducted to develop a process framework specific to solid prefabrication refurbishment. Semi-structured interviews then validated and refined this framework, capturing expert insights on technical, logistical, and regulatory challenges. Thematic analysis distilled key benefits and barriers from the collected data.
Findings indicate that solid prefabrication for refurbishment enables robust transport, high durability, and flexibility in manufacturing methods. Digital planning tools can further streamline implementation. Financial incentives from the government play a critical role in adoption. Although promising, this study remains conceptual: no pilot project has been conducted to validate real-world feasibility or quantify performance gains.
Despite this limitation, the study provides actionable insights for policymakers, designers, and contractors aiming to scale up resilient, high-performance refurbishment strategies. Solid prefabrication may play a vital role in meeting Germany’s ambitious climate targets.
