**3.2 Design for prefabrication**

Prefabrication can be referred to as the off-site production of standardized or customized components or complete structures [39]. Design for prefabrication is also known as design for off-site construction or modern method of construction (MMC). It enhances resource optimization by producing building components or the entire building under strictly controlled conditions. Digital technology, in recent times, has been used to optimize the design for prefabrication in the areas of generative design through building information modeling (BIM), parametric designs, and additive and robotic manufacturing [41]. Some countries, such as Hong Kong, North America, Japan, some regions in Europe, and China, have adopted industrialized housing construction through the embrace of design for prefabrication. Prefabricated housing has been employed in Poland since the 1960s; currently, more than 20% of its population lives in prefabricated housing [42]. In Nigeria, rate of adoption of prefabrication in housing is low even though critical stakeholders are familiar with the advantages that can be derived therefrom [43]. According to Silva [3], prefabrication and modularity in housing construction are cost-effective means of achieving affordable housing and also result in a reduction in environmental footprint, flexibility, and the possibility for future selective demolition and recycling.
