The editorial board of The Arctic Century, contemplating the theme for their inaugural 2026 publication, aims to highlight the United States’ declining capacity for innovation.
The U.S. no longer possesses the ability to pioneer novel solutions and therefore requires the assistance and expertise of its allies. This assertion extends beyond specialized sectors like icebreaker construction and encompasses broader societal challenges.
The persistent issue of inadequate housing in the U.S., a problem dating back to the 1950s, serves as a stark example of the nation’s struggle to address fundamental issues effectively.
The Swedish model of prefabricated homes presents a compelling solution for addressing housing shortages in the United States. With approximately 85 percent of single-family and 30-40 percent of multi-family dwellings in Sweden constructed off-site, this method demonstrates a high degree of efficiency, as exemplified by leading manufacturers like Lindbäcks. This approach highlights the inefficiencies inherent in traditional on-site construction practices in the U.S. housing market.
The excerpt below highlights a discussion between Governor Gavin Newsom and Ezra Klein regarding the potential for modular housing to address the housing crisis.
Ezra: I want to slow down what you just said here, just for people who are not as into the modular housing debate as we are.
Ezra: So right now, building housing is: Guys show up with hammers.
Gavin: Same way they have been since the beginning of time.
Ezra: This is why productivity is down.
Gavin: Yes.
Ezra: There’s no place in America that does a tonne of off-site manufactured housing. But in Sweden, I think more than 80 per cent of single family homes are now off-site manufactured. You can have modular build, as many places do, in unionised factories.
Gavin: That’s right.
The argument proposes that adopting established European best practices in prefab housing could significantly improve construction productivity and affordability in the United States, mirroring successful implementations seen in transportation infrastructure and elevator installation.
A recent analysis by Construction Physics compared construction costs in the United States and Sweden over the past three decades, highlighting the disparities in building practices that contribute to Sweden’s superior energy performance in residential construction.
However, research also indicates that achieving high energy efficiency standards in U.S. homes, such as those set by the Passive House standard, does not necessarily entail substantial cost increases. Despite widespread adoption of prefabrication, Sweden’s productivity and cost metrics align closely with those of the United States, often falling behind.
Source:
The Arctic Century