Can Prefabricated Housing Redefine the Asset Lifecycle of Overseas Project Camps?

In the current global engineering environment, the logic behind the success of overseas projects is undergoing a fundamental change. The traditional "long-term plan, rooted in reality" mindset often proves too cumbersome in the face of complex international situations. The rise of prefabricated housing essentially represents a paradigm shift in overseas project camps, transforming them from "real estate" to "industrial equipment."

I. Strategic Agility: Transforming Construction into "Retreatable Investments"

Overseas projects often face geopolitical risks, policy changes, or unexpected adjustments to contract terms. Traditional buildings (brick-concrete/cast-in-place) are physically "nailed" to the land once construction begins; in the event of force majeure (such as regional instability), the initial investment becomes a sunk cost.

Prefabricated housing, through modular design, provides project teams with valuable "expansion flexibility" and an "exit mechanism." These houses can circulate globally like shipping containers: when a project expands, modules can be added to quickly increase capacity; when a project ends or the environment deteriorates, they can be quickly disassembled, packaged, and transported to the next border. Under this logic, buildings are no longer unmanageable burdens, but rather a **mobile force** that travels with the project team.

II. Management Granularity: Mitigating On-Site Risks Through "De-Skilling"

The greatest uncertainty in overseas projects often stems from local labor. In many Belt and Road Initiative regions, skilled workers are scarce and management costs are extremely high. Traditional construction relies on the seamless coordination of numerous on-site processes; any deviation in the process (such as uneven brickwork or waterproofing failure) can lead to bottomless pits in later maintenance.

Prefabricated housing achieves pre-management: 90% of the complex engineering work (mechanical, electrical, interior decoration, and structural) is completed in a controlled domestic factory. Only a very small number of general workers are needed on-site, assembling the buildings according to standardized manuals, much like connecting water pipes. This "de-skilling" model refines the granularity of construction management from "supervisor's skill" to "checking factory parameters." This not only eliminates the premium risk associated with overseas labor at its source but also ensures the consistent performance of the camp in extreme environments such as extreme cold and heat.

III. Redefining the Asset Lifecycle: From "Zero Residual Value" to "Financial Attributes"

Traditional campsites are typically classified as "consumables" in project audits. The construction waste generated during demolition even incurs additional environmental treatment fees, resulting in virtually zero residual value.

In contrast, high-quality prefabricated houses possess significant "financial residual value". They are more closely represented as machinery and equipment on the balance sheet. After project completion, companies have three profit-generating paths:

Inter-project transfer: Achieving 5-8 turnover cycles, with costs per project approaching zero.

Resale: In the local market, due to the standardization of prefabricated houses, they have extremely high liquidity as existing properties, typically allowing for rapid monetization at 30%-50% of their original price.

Shared leasing: They can even be offered as rental assets to local subcontractors, transforming cost centers into profit centers.

IV. "Green Access Certificate" in the ESG Era

With the increasing global emphasis on sustainable development (ESG) standards, dust, waste, and vegetation damage generated by traditional construction are becoming obstacles to project bidding. Prefabricated housing, as a typical representative of the circular economy, achieves "dry construction," minimizing disturbance to the ground surface. This green characteristic not only enhances a company's international brand image but also serves as a **must-have bonus** when applying for funding from international financial institutions or bidding on projects with high environmental protection requirements.