Prefabricated housing units and interior design priorities for Kuwaiti citizens

Abstract EN

Prefabricated buildings are built in factory-like setting and then transported to and assembled in the defired location rather than being constructed on the site itself.

They have many advantages, including speed and cost of construction and reduced envrionmental impact.

As such, prefabricated houses are a potential solution to Kuwait’s long¬standing and growing housing problems - if people can be persuaded to live in them.

This paper describes research to investigate Kuwaiti people’s attitudes toward prefabricated houses and their requirements for their interior design.

The results of a questionnaire admininstered to a representative sample of Kuwaiti adults show that there is a general lack of understanding about the nature and benefits of prefabricated buildings, and in particular the potential for their interiors to be customized to their owners’ whishes.

Many indicated that they would consider living in a prefabricated house if it met their requirements for a conforaable, well-designed and stylish home.

Given the general lack of knowledge about prefabricated houses, the authors conclude that the government has a role to play in raising the Kuwaiti people’s awareness of the benefits of modern and well- designed prefabricated houses.