SANTO DOMINGO – When access to housing becomes more difficult, innovation often accelerates. That is exactly what is happening in Australia, where the housing shortage has led families and investors to look toward an unexpected solution: small modular homes that can be installed in a backyard in a matter of days.
The trend is gaining momentum as real estate prices remain high and building a traditional house can take more than a year. In this context, so-called backyard pods, or prefabricated compact rooms, are emerging as a faster and more affordable alternative for adding space without embarking on lengthy and expensive projects.
The phenomenon also reflects a cultural shift: housing is no longer conceived solely as a permanent structure, but as a flexible system capable of adapting to new family or investment needs.
Houses that arrive in boxes (and are assembled in days)
Australian hardware chain Bunnings has expanded its catalog to include "flat-pack" modular units—structures that arrive packaged with prefabricated panels, insulation, and roofing ready for assembly. Some models can be assembled in as little as two days.
Prices start at around US$26,100 for a room approximately 2.7 by 2.4 meters and reach US$42,900 for larger studio-type versions. This cost difference compared to traditional construction explains part of their growing popularity.
In certain areas, these structures can also be installed without building permits, a factor that further speeds up the process and reduces red tape. For many homeowners, this is a practical way to add functional space without completely altering the property.
A trend driven by the housing crisis
The rise of these solutions is not happening in a vacuum. Australia faces a significant housing deficit, and although the federal government aims to boost the construction of 1.2 million homes by 2029, projections indicate that the country could fall short by more than 400,000 units.
At the same time, some states have relaxed zoning regulations to allow homes , facilitating the expansion of these types of developments. The result is a market that is beginning to view prefabrication as part of the future of housing.
Analysts predict that the modular housing sector will grow by about 7% annually until it reaches US$18 billion in 2030, a figure that helps to put the size of the opportunity into perspective.
Beyond addressing family needs, such as home offices, bedrooms for teenagers, or guest rooms, these modules are also attracting the attention of investors. Their quick installation and energy efficiency make them appealing for short-term rentals and tourism projects in regional areas.
In fact, sales of these units already exceed US$9 million, and almost a third is allocated to initiatives linked to tourism or properties outside the traditional network.
What's happening in Australia offers an interesting lesson for the global market: when housing is scarce, creativity becomes part of the solution. And in a world that demands ever-increasing speed, the idea of expanding a house in days, rather than years, is starting to seem less futuristic and more inevitable.
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