In 1967, Canada built futuristic homes like Lego pieces. Half a century later, they still don’t know how to repair them

Habitat 67, designed by Moshe Safdie for Montreal’s Expo 67, became an iconic example of modular housing built from stacked prefabricated concrete units.

The project aimed to combine urban density with better living quality, inspired by a Lego-like vision of flexible, modern housing.

Instead, it proved far more expensive than expected and later developed leaks, dampness, and mold, making maintenance and restoration difficult.

Its legacy highlights both the promise and the long-term technical costs of innovative prefabricated housing.