Since the devastating and ongoing Canterbury earthquakes, housing has been under direct scrutiny, specifically in the area of building materials. Questions have arisen as to whether the old building methods and materials were adequate to withstand the turbulent conditions. Many believe not and now, new methods are emerging and innovative ideas are constantly being put forward on how to bring the nation’s housing into a more safety-conscious era.

In April, at the Canterbury Agricultural Park, HIVE – Home Innovation Expo is showcasing a wide range of new permanent materials; quality design and environmentally sustainable building products that are produced using prefab and offsite construction technologies. The exhibition creates an opportunity for architects, builders and home-owners to see what the market has to offer.

Building and housing is certainly one of the most important industries to benefit from leading technology. The more progressive parts of the industry are seeking ways to make housing safer and kinder to the environment.

PrefabNZ, which is hosting HIVE, is a non-profit incorporated organisation whose aim is to inform and educate New Zealanders about prefabrication. Prefab is a way to create innovative and quality buildings that can generate a smoother compliance certification process, while keeping within a tighter timeframe and budget. There is an increasing acceptance of houses that can be built in a factory and then delivered on-site and assembled quickly.