Largepanel

Largepanel, or large-panel construction, is a prefabricated building method in which large concrete panels are cast in factories and erected onsite to form walls, floors, and façades. The approach enables rapid construction of multi-story housing and other buildings and was widely used in the mid-20th century in the Soviet Union and many Eastern Bloc countries.

Origin and use: Developed in the 1950s–1960s as a state-backed solution to housing shortages. Factory-made panels allowed standardization, mass production, and quick assembly for residential blocks, schools, and public facilities.

Construction features: Panels are precast concrete units connected on site, with joints sealed. Some systems employ sandwich or insulated panels. Floors can be integrated with wall panels, and assemblies require cranes. Standardized panel sizes streamlined production and erection.

Advantages and drawbacks: Pros include speed, uniformity, and reduced labor needs. Cons include limited architectural variety, potential thermal and moisture issues if insulation is inadequate, and higher retrofit costs or seismic concerns depending on location.

Legacy and variants: In Germany, Plattenbau; in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Paneláky; in Hungary, Panelház; in Poland and elsewhere, block housing. The term largepanel is sometimes used for the panels themselves. As aging stock is renovated for energy efficiency, some buildings have undergone modernization.