Modular Construction

Bv W. E. Hoyt American Lumber & Treating Co., Los Angeles

Building experts are intensively studying the possibilities of speeding up and lowering the cost of production of everything having four walls and a roof. "Experts" consist of technicians of such groups as American Standards Association, American Institute oI Architects, Producers' Councila national organization of manufacturers of building products, and representatives of trade associations including the National Lumber Manufacturers' Association.

Much has been said of prefabrication and while it has its place in the mass production of low-cost small homes, many feel that the limitations of designs and materials will result in custom built homes for those of average or greater incomes. Prefabrication is the streamlined production of the finished product in units small enough to be transported to the building site, but large enough to permit assembly in a plant where the raw materials, lumber, glue, plywood, plastics and other materials are put together with a minimum of time and labor.

Modular construction is simply putting together at the site the standard building materials and equipment, all elements of which have been produced in dirriensions of four inches or multiples of four inches so that labor and waste are reduced to an absolute minimum. There is nothing revolutionary about this except that the components of the building will go together without the cutting and fitting (often butchering) of the structural materials used.

Manufacturers of nationally known products are already preparing to reconvert and standardize production of modular units. For example, brick and tile are to be made in sizes so that with standard mortar joints they will measure exactly four inches or multiples of four in size. Windows, doors and other openings will follow this plan so that there will be no cutting on the job. Likewise all fixtures and

Arizoncr Mcn Visits L A.

Carl Specht, Phoenix, Arizona, representative of R. W. Dalton & Co., wholesale lumber and plywood firm, recently visited the company's office in Los Angeles.

appliances will be installed without having to tear out or alter the structural members to which they must be fitted.

It is estimated that as much as 25/o of the cost of labor can be saved. This will offset part of the advance in costs predicted for the post-war period, and, with a substantial saving of materials we may even see the cost reduced to that of prewar housing.

Perhaps we shall rediscover the secrets of Solomon who, according to I Kings-6, (7) built a temple unto the Lor'd "and the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither; so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building."

Successlul Hunters

Bill and John Sampson, Sampson Company, Pasadena, had a successful hunting trip in the High Sierra at the end of November, and closed their cabin there for the winter.