Jonathan Kaiman of the Los Angeles Times reported recently on a developer, Broad Sustainable Building, that constructed a thirty-story building in Changsha, China, in 15 days (not including the foundation and tenant improvements) with the help of extensive prefabrication. The fascinating time-lapse video of the construction of the building is here on YouTube and has received several million hits.
According to the Times, the company contends its speedy construction methods are both safer and more economical, since most of the work is done in a factory and jobsite time is significantly reduced. The article notes that the company is looking to take its construction methods overseas, possibly even to the United States. Whether the company can overcome the building and labor code obstacles it would likely face in the U.S. remains to be seen, but keep an eye out for vacant lots that turn into skyscrapers overnight.