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In-Situ vs Transportable vs Stackable: Which WABi System Is Right for You?

Last updated: July 23, 2025

WABi Systems delivers smarter, prefabricated construction solutions that adapt to your site, timeline, and long-term goals. With deep experience across government, Indigenous, defence, housing and tourism sectors, we understand that not every project fits the same model. That’s why we’ve developed three modular construction systems—each one engineered to meet real-world constraints with speed, simplicity, and systemised efficiency.

Whether you’re planning worker accommodation in a remote location, developing housing in a regional growth corridor, or addressing infrastructure gaps in urban environments, this guide will help you choose the WABi System best suited to your project.

Quick Summary – Choosing the Right WABi System

  • In-Situ – Built on site; ideal for remote or community-focused projects requiring local labour and site-specific flexibility.
  • Transportable – Fully built off site; ideal for rapid installation, limited access areas, or weather-constrained builds.
  • Stackable – Modular, multi-storey design; ideal for high-density sites, government housing and scalable urban infrastructure.
  • Our approach – Every WABi system is designed for rapid delivery, minimal site disruption, and maximum environmental and social value.

The short answer: Choose In-Situ for community-driven builds in remote locations. Opt for Transportable when time or access is tight. Use Stackable for scalable housing in high-density zones.

WABi’s Three Smart Construction Systems

In-Situ Construction (On-Site Build)

In-situ is WABi’s original system—designed for projects that need to be built directly on location using prefabricated, kit-based components. The structure is assembled by semi-skilled or local labour, with minimal tools and no requirement for concrete slabs or traditional footings.

This method works best in remote regions where road access, cost of freight, or cultural considerations make off-site delivery difficult or inappropriate. It also creates direct pathways for community engagement—especially in Indigenous projects—where job creation, training and upskilling form part of the project goals.

Core strengths:

  • High-value community return through local assembly
  • Adaptable to complex terrain or environmental conditions
  • Minimal machinery needed for install
  • Easily maintained and upgraded over time

Project types that suit in-situ:

  • Remote indigenous housing
  • Aid-funded infrastructure in the Pacific
  • Government projects tied to local job targets
  • Any region where “build from within” is a long-term benefit

Transportable Construction (Off-Site Build)

WABi’s transportable system is a prefabricated solution built entirely off site and delivered ready for immediate install. These units arrive in large-format modules or as complete structures, allowing you to bypass much of the on-site labour, weather risk, and timeline uncertainty that slows down traditional builds.

Transportable solution

When site conditions limit construction activity—whether due to weather, access, noise restrictions, or short project windows—Transportable becomes the clear choice. It’s ideal for rapid deployment and repeatable designs, ensuring consistent outcomes even in logistically challenging environments.

Core strengths:

  • Built in a controlled environment for quality and precision
  • Significantly reduced time on site
  • Minimal disruption to surrounding infrastructure or community
  • Repeatable across multiple locations with identical specifications

Project types that suit transportable:

  • Worker accommodation for mining, energy, or agriculture
  • Tourism pods and eco-retreats in protected or seasonal environments
  • Short-notice government housing rollouts
  • Temporary or semi-permanent builds on restricted land

The transportable system is engineered for operators who need reliable, scalable results without the risks of on-site variability. By moving the complexity off site, you keep timelines short, reduce labour dependencies, and remove uncertainty from your project delivery.

Stackable Construction (Multi-Storey Modular)

WABi’s stackable system is designed for scale. Using structurally engineered modular units, this system allows for vertical and horizontal expansion—making it ideal for urban, peri-urban, and regional centres where land is limited but demand is growing.

Stackable solutions

When density and repeatability are strategic goals, stackable gives you the flexibility to deliver multiple dwellings in a constrained footprint. The system is modular by nature, meaning units can be configured as stand-alone, double-storey or extended into larger complexes. This makes it particularly valuable for local governments, defence, and workforce housing providers who need to accommodate many people without protracted construction timelines.

Core strengths:

  • Engineered for multi-storey installation with structural integrity
  • Maximises yield in high-demand areas
  • Rapid expansion with minimal groundworks
  • Ideal for repeatable layouts across multiple locations

Project types that suit stackable:

  • Government social or transitional housing
  • Defence accommodation compounds
  • Student housing or worker lodgings near transport hubs
  • High-volume deployments in growth corridors

The stackable system is a future-ready solution for projects that need to scale quickly and efficiently. It reduces reliance on cranes, slabs or complex approvals while delivering modern, durable structures that support longer-term housing or infrastructure programs.

Matching Method to Mission

Each WABi System is purpose-built to solve a distinct challenge. If your project demands local engagement, community outcomes, or flexibility in remote terrain, In-situ offers a smarter, self-reliant path forward. When speed, access, or environmental disruption are your main constraints, transportable delivers consistency and control. And for projects focused on scale, yield, and urban adaptability, stackable provides high-density, modular efficiency.

Choosing the right system means understanding your site, timeline, and long-term goals. At WABi Systems, we don’t just deliver prefabricated buildings—we offer systemised construction methods tailored to the realities of government, infrastructure, and remote deployment projects. Our patented designs are built for assembly by local teams, without complex machinery, helping you meet targets faster and more sustainably.

Need Guidance on the Best-fit Solution for Your Project?

Speak with the WABi Systems team. We’ll help you evaluate your site conditions, workforce access, and delivery timeline—then match you with a system that delivers speed, savings, and social value.