Transforming Prefabricated Buildings into Community Assets

Communities today are searching for ways to develop athletic facilities that offer cost-effective, sustainable and flexible environments that serve a range of needs. While traditional construction can provide flexibility and functionality, the key difference lies in cost and quality. Prefabrication offers a more budget-friendly solution without sacrificing adaptability, and though traditional construction materials and finishes may achieve a more refined look, careful selection of finishes and materials for Pre-engineered buildings (PEBs) allows for a controlled and polished aesthetic. The concept of prefabrication – constructing building components off-site for assembly elsewhere – has been around for centuries. Early examples include portable cottages designed by London carpenter Henry Manning in 1837, which were exported to Australia and the prefabricated iron buildings shipped during the 1850s gold rush. By the 20th century, the practice had expanded significantly, driven by the need for rapid housing solutions during and after World War II. Iconic structures like Quonset huts in the United States and temporary "prefabs" in the United Kingdom emerged as efficient, cost-effective solutions for mass housing.

Today, prefabricated buildings have evolved into highly engineered and customizable systems. No longer limited to temporary housing, they’ve found applications in residential, commercial and even large-scale infrastructure projects. The adaptability, reduced construction timelines and sustainability attributes make them particularly well-suited for repurposing as athletic and wellness facilities – spaces that demand functionality and community focus. By rethinking how prefabricated structures can serve modern needs, we can unlock new possibilities in sports design and develop a framework for creating versatile, environmentally responsible spaces thoughtfully tailored to the people and communities they serve.

Prefabricated buildings challenge traditional notions of construction and open the door to innovative design possibilities. To fully realize their potential, adapting PEBs into athletic and wellness facilities requires a deliberate focus on user needs, environmental responsibility and creating spaces that inspire and connect. In this article, we’ll explore these concepts in greater detail.

Adapting Prefabricated Buildings to Serve Diverse Needs

Prefabricated buildings represent an opportunity to design functional spaces that are inviting and deeply attuned to the needs of their users. Adapting PEBs into athletic and wellness facilities begins with thoughtful design that prioritizes the people who will experience them every day. A successful sports facility supports seamless movement and engagement for all users, including athletes, coaches, spectators and visitors. Thoughtful design ensures everyone can navigate the space easily and intuitively, enhancing their overall experience. For spectators, this means providing clear, unobstructed pathways to seating areas, concessions and restrooms, creating a seamless journey from entry to exit. Athletes and coaches benefit from dedicated circulation routes that allow them to move efficiently between warm-up areas, team preparation spaces and recovery zones during or between games. For families and other visitors, well-planned drop-off and pick-up zones are essential to minimize logistical challenges and ensure accessibility for people of all ages and abilities. Together, these design considerations create a space that feels welcoming, functional and responsive to the diverse needs of its users.

Flexibility is one of the greatest strengths of prefabricated buildings, making them ideal for communities that require spaces capable of serving multiple functions. Their inherent adaptability allows these facilities to meet a variety of needs, allowing them to stay active and valuable throughout the lifetime of the building. Prefabricated ridge frame systems also offer significant advantages in building height and clearance, particularly for sports like soccer and football that require ample vertical space. Unlike conventional steel, which often requires higher trusses to achieve the necessary clearance, PEB rigid frames are shallower, typically 3–4 feet deep even with long spans over fields or gyms. This design maximizes usable height within the facility, creating open, functional spaces that meet the demands of athletic performance.

Likewise, courts can be designed with multi-sport striping to support basketball, volleyball and more. Synthetic turf overlays can transform spaces for soccer, lacrosse or general fitness training, offering additional functionality without requiring significant structural changes. Open layouts further enhance this versatility, allowing the facility to transition seamlessly between athletic competitions, community events and wellness programs. By prioritizing this kind of flexibility, PEBs can evolve into spaces that feel purpose-built for every user, every day. And as the design evolves, so do the opportunities for innovation, creating a foundation for dynamic, adaptable and efficient sports environments.

Aligning Design with Environmental Values

But it’s not just about how these spaces function – it’s also about how they’re built, making sustainability an integral part of the story. Repurposing existing prefabricated buildings represents a meaningful step toward reducing the environmental impact of construction. By retaining the original structural frame and mechanical systems, communities can minimize the use of new materials, which reduces carbon emissions and conserves resources. Moreover, this process supports a circular economy, where existing assets are reused and adapted rather than discarded.

Prefabricated buildings also present opportunities for deconstruction and reuse, further extending their lifecycle. For example, a fieldhouse with aging finishes or failing surfaces may still have a functional rigid frame. In such cases, the frame could be deconstructed and relocated to a new site, paired with a new slab and updated finishes, to give the structure a second life. While this idea remains largely conceptual, it underscores the potential flexibility of PEBs for relocation and reuse, offering an innovative way to reduce waste further and maximize resources.

Upgrading the building envelope can further enhance sustainability by incorporating insulated panels and energy-efficient glazing systems to improve thermal performance and reduce energy consumption for heating and cooling. Strategic placement of natural light sources, such as translucent panels or vision glass, can cut down on artificial lighting needs, while thoughtful shading solutions prevent excessive heat gain. By adapting rather than demolishing, communities extend the lifecycle of existing buildings, diverting significant amounts of debris from landfills, an approach that helps reduce environmental impact and demonstrates a commitment to responsible resource management – one that aligns with global sustainability initiatives and local community values.

Smart Investments with Lasting Benefits

Sustainability is just one piece of the puzzle. The financial advantages of repurposing PEBs are equally compelling for communities seeking to balance sustainability with affordability. By maximizing the lifecycle of existing materials and systems, these structures provide a cost-conscious alternative to traditional construction without sacrificing quality or functionality, which can free up funds for other critical project elements. Shortened construction timelines amplify these savings by minimizing labor costs and reducing disruption to adjacent facilities or community operations. Lower material costs allow for investments in features that directly benefit users, such as premium flooring, advanced lighting systems or specialized athletic equipment. Funds can also be allocated to improve amenities like spectator seating, locker rooms or concessions, enhancing the facility’s appeal and functionality.

Beyond the building, these savings can support programming that broadens the facility’s impact. Community outreach initiatives, youth sports programs, and fitness classes are examples of ways redirected funds can benefit a wider audience. By striking a balance between cost-efficiency and purposeful investment, PEBs empower communities to achieve more with less and focus on building economically and socially impactful spaces. When considered holistically, the benefits of PEBs go beyond immediate savings, creating opportunities to design spaces that are accessible and enduring.

Key Considerations for Prefabricated Buildings

While prefabricated buildings offer significant advantages in cost, flexibility and sustainability, the design and construction process requires careful planning and attention to detail. Over time, we’ve seen several key lessons emerge that can offer valuable guidance for optimizing these projects:

1. Keep it simple and maximize repetition. Prefabricated structures perform best when the design emphasizes simplicity and repetition. By using a repeating rigid frame module, teams can avoid the challenges of controlling the look and quality of complex structural connections or varying frame sizes. A straightforward, modular approach ensures consistency and efficiency throughout the process.

2. Coordinate grid locations with precision. Careful alignment of the rigid frame grid with court boundaries and overruns is critical for athletic facilities. For example, the layout should account for the space between courts to prevent interference and maximize functionality. Early and precise coordination of these elements can save time and avoid costly adjustments during construction.

3. Manage hybrid structural approaches thoughtfully. Close coordination is essential when combining prefabricated systems with conventional steel framing. Design team structural engineers often have limited influence over the work of the metal building team’s engineers, which can result in unexpected outcomes. Clear communication and proactive collaboration are key to managing these hybrid systems effectively.

4. Prepare for rapid decision-making. The fast-paced nature of PEB projects requires the design team to make decisions quickly to keep the metal building team ahead of schedule. This rapid timeline emphasizes the importance of clear planning, streamlined communication and a well-defined process from the outset.

Based on these lessons, the ideal PEB project is rectangular, repetitive and straightforward in its structural requirements. However, as design processes continue to evolve and teams grow more experienced with these systems, opportunities for customization and flexibility are expanding. With thoughtful coordination and a commitment to continuous improvement, PEBs can successfully adapt to meet various project demands.

An Opportunity to Innovate and Inspire

The future of athletic and wellness design challenges us to think creatively, act responsibly, and design purposefully. Prefabricated buildings offer an opportunity to transform spaces in ways that are adaptable, sustainable and deeply connected to the communities they serve. When approached thoughtfully, these structures evolve into places where people gather, grow and thrive. As designers, planners and collaborators, we have a unique role in shaping these spaces. By working together to harness the potential of prefabricated buildings, we can deliver facilities that inspire movement, foster connection and reflect the values of the people and communities they’re built for. Our call as designers and planners is to continue innovating and creating spaces that set the stage for stronger, healthier and more connected communities.