Post-war Prefabricated Housing
There was a housing shortage after the Second World War, and prefabricated temporary bungalows (“prefabs”) were one solution.
Prefabs were made using different materials to normal houses. The parts were ‘prefabricated’ (ready made in a factory, taken to the site and then put together), which is where the name comes from. 160,000 prefabs were made in the late 1940s.
They were only expected to be used for 10 years while “normal” housing was built – but many were still lived in up to the 1970s.
Why is the Prefab at the Museum?
Prefabs weren’t made to last forever, so the Finch Lane estate was being demolished to build more modern houses. The Museum wanted one because lots of people remember them and they are an important piece of our local and social history. The prefab at the Museum was one of 46 on the Finch Lane Estate in Amersham.
How and When Did We Re-erect the Prefab?
The concrete base for our prefab was laid in June 1992. The building was completed by volunteers in 1993 and was officially opened on 19th June 1994 by Mr and Mrs Brant who lived in the prefab from 1948.
What is the Prefab Built From?
The prefab is built from 26 asbestos cement panels, bolted together on a wood and steel frame. This stands on top of a concrete base.
There were 18 different designs and our prefab is a Universal House Mark 3 design. It was made by a company in Rickmansworth and was originally built in 1947.
Who Lived in Our Prefab?
Robert and Ethel Brant lived here with their three children and pet parrot. The Museum is in contact with the Brant family who lived there from 1948 – some of their family photos are on the mantelpiece.
Take a Look Around Our Prefab
Our prefab resonates with lots of our visitors, generally, because lots of people know someone who used to live in one.
Have a look at the video showing the interior of of our prefab and see if you can recognise any furniture that you may have seen in family and friends homes.
