The research problem of the article refers to the question of the sense of using concrete prefabrication to create a new quality of architecture for single-family houses. Known and referenced projects from the past — from the period of early architectural Rationalism (Modernism and Functionalism) — seem appropriate to show, recall and update the idea of concrete prefabrication of single-family houses in the present day. This point of reference, having its source in the vision of the housing revolution from the beginning of the 20th century, can today be the subject of direct references and the search for further variants of rational patterns of modern prefabrication of single-family houses. The article is based on the most important items from the beginnings of concrete prefabrication technology, including Vers une architecture (1923) by Le Corbusier and articles and manuscripts by Walter Gropius following new concepts in German construction. Newer items include the Gilbert Herbert’s text that summarizes the heritage of Gropius’ prefabrication entitled The Dream of the Factory Made House by Walter Gropius and Konrad Wachsmann (1984).
The research method was the analysis of selected historical and contemporary houses built either in whole or in part in the precast concrete technology (a multiple-case study). The presentation of new examples shows the possibility of adapting the rational ideas and aesthetics of architecture from the early 20th century with the use of the latest concrete technologies. According to the author, the sense of concrete prefabrication in the construction of single-family houses is to return to the idea of ‘developed’ technology rationalization and Modernist architectural aesthetics. Although prefabrication is associated with the domain of economization, modularity, standardization and typification, thanks to advanced technologies, a prefabricated house in the 21st century can be a proof of the multitude of possible configurations.

Villa architecture after 1914 comprises a diverse and extensive group of buildings. The lack of a system of valuating them leads to their analyses being a time-consuming and complex process. Their justification can refer primarily to architectural and urban planning tendencies, including: the impact on the space of previously built estates, the assessment of the quality of their architecture in the landscape context and the continuity of design traditions, contemporary interventions associated with renovation work. The protection of villas from the interwar period, appears to be particularly important. Their cultural value and the quality of the landscape, that they co-create with their accompanying gardens is highly significant to the identity of the city.

The article presents a comprehensive analysis of technology, time and costs of three methods of building a single-family house; traditional brick, reinforced concrete prefabrication and timber frame. The goal of this study was to determine if prefabricated and timber frame building methods and materials have the potential to replace traditional method of construction in the context of cost and time. For this purpose, a qualitative analysis was performed, including a list of benefits of each of the analysed construction technologies and a quantitative analysis in which the cost of finished houses per 1 m2 of usable area was compared. The analyses were conducted for two single-family houses with similar characteristics using scheduling and cost estimation software. The conducted analyses have shown that the shortest time to build a house is in the prefabricated reinforced concrete technology. The used construction technology from ready-made prefabricated elements affects the time of building house and thus, the costs of its construction. The construction time for the house in case of a timber frame structure and made of ready-made reinforced concrete prefabricated elements is similar but the cost of a timber frame structure is much higher. It takes longest time to build a house in traditional brick technology and requires the involvement of the largest financial resources from all three analysed construction technologies. Despite this, traditional brick technology is the most used in construction in Poland and other Central and Easter Europe countries. This is due to the widespread belief of investors about the durability of a building made in this technology and the habits of investors resulting from a long-standing tradition of construction. However, the study’s results in the world showed that a change in build technology is a step in addressing the concerns of poor quality and reduce construction costs and time, increasing the construction sector’s productivity and sustainability.