Using Prefabricated Wood Light-Frame in Multi-Storey and Non-Residential Construction Projects: Motivations and Barriers of Professionals in Quebec

Despite prefabricated wood light-frame construction’s technical viability and ability to address labor shortages and industry productivity issues, its adoption remains limited. As an alternative to steel and concrete in non-residential buildings of four storeys or less and dwellings of five and six...

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Main Authors: Baptiste Giorgio, Pierre Blanchet, Aline Barlet, Adrien Gaudelas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: North Carolina State University 2024-11-01
Series:BioResources
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Online Access:https://ojs.bioresources.com/index.php/BRJ/article/view/23922
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author Baptiste Giorgio
Pierre Blanchet
Aline Barlet
Adrien Gaudelas
author_facet Baptiste Giorgio
Pierre Blanchet
Aline Barlet
Adrien Gaudelas
author_sort Baptiste Giorgio
collection DOAJ
description Despite prefabricated wood light-frame construction’s technical viability and ability to address labor shortages and industry productivity issues, its adoption remains limited. As an alternative to steel and concrete in non-residential buildings of four storeys or less and dwellings of five and six storeys, they represent only 23% and 6% of market shares, respectively. Based on a purposive sample of 40 interviews with diverse construction industry professionals in Quebec (Canada), the representations of prefabricated wood light-frame construction was highlighted. A thematic analysis identified the motivations and barriers to prefabrication adoption and the reasons for these positions more precisely. This work examined whether these perceptions differ significantly according to main professional activity. The findings confirm existing literature while providing deeper insights into motivations and barriers, revealing new viewpoints. Respondents primarily cited expertise as the most critical barriers. Availability of labor, cost, productivity, and construction quality were identified as key motivators, while manufacturing capacity and coordination were perceived with mixed opinions. Analyzing response profiles suggests that different stakeholders generally have similar perceptions. This research will aid in refining policies and strategies to encourage the widespread adoption of prefabricated wood light-frame in construction practices.
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spelling doaj-art-7253f6a98ca94af28520d58c80bde3842025-08-20T02:51:38ZengNorth Carolina State UniversityBioResources1930-21262024-11-012016256712131Using Prefabricated Wood Light-Frame in Multi-Storey and Non-Residential Construction Projects: Motivations and Barriers of Professionals in QuebecBaptiste Giorgio0https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1331-550XPierre Blanchet1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6348-0289Aline Barlet2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2794-6117Adrien Gaudelas3https://orcid.org/0009-0008-3627-0121NSERC Industrial Research Chair on Eco-responsible Wood Construction (CIRCERB), Forest and Wood Sciences Department, Université Laval, 2425 rue de la Terrasse, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, CanadaNSERC Industrial Research Chair on Eco-responsible Wood Construction (CIRCERB), Forest and Wood Sciences Department, Université Laval, 2425 rue de la Terrasse, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, CanadaGRECCAU lab, Higher National School of Architecture and Landscape of Bordeaux (ENSAP-Bx), 740 Liberation Course CS70109, 33405 Talence, FranceNSERC Industrial Research Chair on Eco-responsible Wood Construction (CIRCERB), Forest and Wood Sciences Department, Université Laval, 2425 rue de la Terrasse, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, CanadaDespite prefabricated wood light-frame construction’s technical viability and ability to address labor shortages and industry productivity issues, its adoption remains limited. As an alternative to steel and concrete in non-residential buildings of four storeys or less and dwellings of five and six storeys, they represent only 23% and 6% of market shares, respectively. Based on a purposive sample of 40 interviews with diverse construction industry professionals in Quebec (Canada), the representations of prefabricated wood light-frame construction was highlighted. A thematic analysis identified the motivations and barriers to prefabrication adoption and the reasons for these positions more precisely. This work examined whether these perceptions differ significantly according to main professional activity. The findings confirm existing literature while providing deeper insights into motivations and barriers, revealing new viewpoints. Respondents primarily cited expertise as the most critical barriers. Availability of labor, cost, productivity, and construction quality were identified as key motivators, while manufacturing capacity and coordination were perceived with mixed opinions. Analyzing response profiles suggests that different stakeholders generally have similar perceptions. This research will aid in refining policies and strategies to encourage the widespread adoption of prefabricated wood light-frame in construction practices.https://ojs.bioresources.com/index.php/BRJ/article/view/23922decision makingmodular constructionoff-site construction adoptionstakeholder perceptionstimber building
spellingShingle Baptiste Giorgio
Pierre Blanchet
Aline Barlet
Adrien Gaudelas
Using Prefabricated Wood Light-Frame in Multi-Storey and Non-Residential Construction Projects: Motivations and Barriers of Professionals in Quebec
BioResources
decision making
modular construction
off-site construction adoption
stakeholder perceptions
timber building
title Using Prefabricated Wood Light-Frame in Multi-Storey and Non-Residential Construction Projects: Motivations and Barriers of Professionals in Quebec
title_full Using Prefabricated Wood Light-Frame in Multi-Storey and Non-Residential Construction Projects: Motivations and Barriers of Professionals in Quebec
title_fullStr Using Prefabricated Wood Light-Frame in Multi-Storey and Non-Residential Construction Projects: Motivations and Barriers of Professionals in Quebec
title_full_unstemmed Using Prefabricated Wood Light-Frame in Multi-Storey and Non-Residential Construction Projects: Motivations and Barriers of Professionals in Quebec
title_short Using Prefabricated Wood Light-Frame in Multi-Storey and Non-Residential Construction Projects: Motivations and Barriers of Professionals in Quebec
title_sort using prefabricated wood light frame in multi storey and non residential construction projects motivations and barriers of professionals in quebec
topic decision making
modular construction
off-site construction adoption
stakeholder perceptions
timber building
url https://ojs.bioresources.com/index.php/BRJ/article/view/23922
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