In a world where housing shortages and construction delays are all too common, imagine a home being built from scratch and ready to live in within just three days. This isn't science fiction—it's happening right now at Gonggan Jaejakso, South Korea's largest wooden modular home factory. Using cutting-edge robotics and automation, this facility is revolutionizing the way we think about homebuilding, making it faster, more efficient, and environmentally friendly.

The Rise of Space Factory: From Traditional Builds to Robotic Precision

Gonggan Jaejakso, known in English as Space Factory, started its journey in 2004 under the name Hangulhousing. Initially focused on traditional timber-frame homes built on-site, the company quickly recognized the limitations of conventional methods: inconsistent quality, high labor costs, and weather-induced delays that could stretch projects by months. By the late 2010s, Space Factory pivoted to modular construction, prefabricating homes in a controlled factory environment. This shift was accelerated by a visit to the LIGNA trade fair in 2019, where they discovered advanced automation solutions.

Today, as South Korea's market leader in modular timber homes, Space Factory targets suburban and rural areas with two- and three-story designs. Their adoption of robotics addresses labor shortages and rising costs, while meeting stringent Korean insulation standards. The company's massive investment—around 40 million Canadian dollars—in a new facility underscores their commitment to scaling up production.

Inside the Factory: A Symphony of Robots and Automation

Spanning approximately 6,000 pyeong (about 200,000 square feet), the Gyeonggi-based factory is a marvel of modern engineering. The production hall measures 200 meters long and 90 meters wide, housing an automated line that began operations in September 2024. At its core are 41 industrial robots that handle everything from precise wood cutting to wall assembly, minimizing human intervention and ensuring millimeter-level accuracy.

The process starts with raw timber materials, which are fed into automated cutting centers. Robots then assemble frames, sheath panels, and integrate plumbing, heating, and electrical systems—all in a seamless workflow. Partnering with WEINMANN (a HOMAG Group subsidiary), Space Factory employs an automated frame work station, 16 processing tables, and five multifunction bridges. This setup achieves a cycle time of just 20 minutes per multi-element module, with plans to reduce it to 15 minutes.

Each wall panel is completed in about 0.5 days, and the full home is prefabricated into modules ready for shipping. On-site assembly takes only one day, bringing the total timeline to an astonishing three days from start to finish. This efficiency allows the factory to produce over 1,700 homes annually, a leap from their pre-automation output of 150-200 units per year. Recent expansions, including a proposed 50,000 m² facility, aim to boost capacity further while cutting costs by up to 30% through advanced automation.

Why This Matters: Benefits Beyond Speed

The robotic approach isn't just about speed—it's a game-changer for sustainability and affordability. Wooden modular homes are carbon-negative, storing CO₂ in renewable, FSC-certified timber. Factory-controlled production reduces waste, ensures consistent quality, and eliminates weather delays common in traditional builds. For consumers, this means more affordable housing options in a market plagued by shortages.

Moreover, automation addresses South Korea's labor challenges, where skilled workers are in short supply. By relying on robots for repetitive tasks, human employees can focus on oversight and innovation, creating a safer and more efficient workplace.

The Future of Housing: Taller, Greener, and Faster

Space Factory's innovations hint at a broader revolution in construction. They're exploring taller timber buildings, pushing beyond South Korea's current four-story limit for modular wood structures. Collaborations with international partners like WEINMANN and potential expansions could make prefab homes a global standard, especially for affordable housing.

As robotics continue to evolve, factories like Gonggan Jaejakso could redefine urban development, making sustainable living accessible to more people. Whether it's combating climate change or solving housing crises, this three-day homebuild is just the beginning of a robotic renaissance in architecture.

In a nod to other innovative processes, similar factories worldwide—such as those producing intricate copper roof tiles—show how automation is transforming traditional crafts into high-tech industries. If you're intrigued, dive deeper into these behind-the-scenes stories; the future of building is here, and it's automated.