Over the years, the popularity of modular buildings has grown tremendously. While this unique building and construction method may seem to be new, the truth is it has been around for nearly two centuries. The first documented modular or prefabricated home was created by a London-based architect named John Manning in 1837. 

Manning built a prefabricated house and shipped the units for easy assembly on-site. The home’s appearance and unique design attracted the locals’ interest. Modular construction soon gained popularity. 

By 1853, hundreds of such modular homes were shipped to Australia, and these buildings were sighted all over the globe. During the California Gold Rush, which started in 1848 and ended in 1855, California saw a massive surge of immigrants; about 300,000 people from all over the world came to the city, and modular building became an effective solution to provide them a place to stay. Modular building construction made it easy for the Americans to assemble the components upon their arrival in America and complete the house in a quick span of time.