Modular construction innovations enable rapid house assembly

Innovative modular construction methods are enabling much faster and more sustainable housing assembly. In Colombia, the startup Conceptos Plásticos, alongside Canadian firm Plaex, uses interlocking bricks made from up to 95% recycled plastic. These blocks, which function similarly to toy bricks, require no cement or professional masonry and can allow a house to be completed in five days. The structures are designed to be earthquake-resistant, fireproof, and well-insulated, with an estimated lifespan of over 200 years. This technology has already been used for housing and schools in Colombia and in partnership with UNICEF in Côte d'Ivoire.

In Europe, the German company NiTO Holzstein has developed a similar rapid-assembly system using certified C24 timber. This method utilizes modular wooden blocks that connect via tongue-and-groove joints, eliminating the need for mortar, adhesives, or metal fasteners. By using wooden nails instead of metal, the resulting structures are easier to recycle, renovate, or expand, while also reducing the presence of synthetic chemicals within the home.