Structural Building Components Association (SBCA), in collaboration with 84 Lumber and National Framers Council have showcased the potential of quick construction at Innovative Housing Showcase (IHS) by building a two-storey house on National Mall in less than eight hours. 

The IHS event was held between 7-9 June 2024 in Washington, D.C., US. 

This event aims to showcase how modern off-site manufacturing techniques can enhance housing supply, reduce construction costs, and make housing more accessible for homeowners and renters alike. 

Compared to last year's build, which is said to have taken 12 hours, the new methods employed this year cut down the construction time by four hours. 

Specifically, 84 Lumber supplied all the structural framing components for the construction of the 2,400ft² house, including windows, doors, and the framing crews.  

The ability to construct a home within such a short time frame is expected to bring benefits to builders and homebuyers nationwide.  

According to 84 Lumber, a single component plant can manage the construction of approximately four to five houses daily. 

The materials for the SBCA build were sourced from 84 Lumber's Winchester, Virginia, location.  

Each wall and truss was labelled, ensuring that the crew knew the precise placement, thereby saving time and reducing costs. 

SBCA executive director Jess Lohse said: “This project illustrates how slight changes in a homebuilder's normal construction process can significantly impact construction cycle times and allow limited job-site labour to build more homes more efficiently.” 

This year's IHS also showcased several new developments in the construction industry.

The incorporation of insulated wall studs in the wall panels enhanced the energy efficiency of the home. 

Construction also saw the use of floor and roof panels, thereby moving more construction tasks off-site and further reducing build time.