The world of prefab and modular homes.
  February 2009 Archive

Small houses in the Economist

Link to Small houses in the Economist
http://www.tinytexashouses.com/TTH%20Gallery.html

The Economist recently covered small houses.

The Small House Movement has been around for years, encouraging people to think about how much house they really need. But lately it has attracted more attention. “It seems like a perfect convergence of a bad housing market meeting a bad economy and more awareness about global warming,” claims Jay Shafer, an enthusiastic advocate.

The article mentions 2 companies, both with prefab options:

Read the entire article.

Subtitle: A new vogue for little living
Publication: The Economist
Length: 414 words
Date: February 19, 2009

Hat tip: Jetson Green on February 23, 2009.

Related Posts:
   1. The New York Times looks at small prefab and more small prefab (Sep 11, 2008)
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The OPEN Prototype Initiative (OPI)

Link to The OPEN Prototype Initiative (OPI)
http://www.openprototype.com/

We recently came across an interesting project called The OPEN Prototype Initiative (OPI). It is:

... developing a series of prototypical homes to test a new model for the design, fabrication and assembly of highly responsive places of living.

Founding partners:

More information is available on the OPI website:

We look forward to seeing more from this collaboration.

Related Posts:
   1. Bensonwood's Unity House (Mar 02, 2009)
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Prefab Green from Michelle Kaufmann Designs

Link to Prefab Green from Michelle Kaufmann Designs
http://www.amazon.com/dp/product/1423604970/

info_smallMichelle Kaufmann just released a new book called "Prefab Green".

The book explains how MKD blends sustainable home layouts, eco-friendly materials, and low-energy options to create a “prepackaged” green solution to home design.

Listed at $30.00, the book is on sale at Amazon for $19.80.

See also: our page of prefab books.

author: Michelle Kaufmann and Cathy Remick
release date: February 15, 2009
list price: $30
details: 176 pages, Hardcover
publisher: Gibbs Smith

Related Posts:
   1. Michelle Kaufmann Designs closing (May 27, 2009)
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Taliesen Mod.Fab complete

Link to Taliesen Mod.Fab complete
http://www.taliesin.edu/pages/MODFAB.htm

Taliesin, the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, posted pictures of their completed Mod.Fab.

[The] prototype residence relies on panelized construction to allow for speed and economy on site or in a factory

PrairieMod tracked their progress from start to finish.

model: Mod.Fab
size: 600 sf
BR: 1
baths: 1

Hat Tip: Jetson Green on February 13, 2009.

Related Posts:
   1. This week: Taliesin, Joshua Tree, mkSolaire and more (Jun 07, 2008)
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MKD Smart Home to reopen March 19

In the mail from info_smallMichelle Kaufmann Designs: If you were unable to see their info_smallmkSolaire on display, you now have a second chance.

We are so deeply pleased that the Museum of Science and Industry has decided to extend the Smart Home exhibit’s run through January 2010! Having closed on January 4th, the exhibit will reopen its doors on March 19th, ready to share even more new ways, big and small, that people can lead eco-friendly lives.

where: Chicago, IL
date: March 19, 2009 - January 2010
price: $10, in addition to $13 museum general admission
note: visiting the home requires a special ticket with a timed reservation; plenty of times are available

Related Posts:
   1. Michelle Kaufmann Designs closing (May 27, 2009)
   2. mkSolaire on display through January 4th at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry (Jun 02, 2008)
   3. mkSolaire to be featured in Chicago museum exhibit (Jan 18, 2008)
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Flat pack cabins from Form & Forest

Link to Flat pack cabins from Form & Forest
http://www.formandforestblog.com/

Jetson Green featured a new company called info_smallForm & Forest.

They will be launching on February 19, 2009 with a full set of flat pack prefab cabins designed by info_smallD'Arcy Jones Design.

The cabins are shipped flat as pre-assembled panels, and Form & Forest anticipates this will save time and waste in the construction process.

One of the first models (seen above):

model: info_smallCowboy
manufacturer: info_smallForm & Forest
size: 635 sf
BR: 1
baths:1

The company's site is organized as a blog. You can also follow their progress on Twitter.

Related Posts:
   1. Lookout by Form & Forest (May 21, 2009)
   2. Trapper and Ranger Flat Pack Cabins by Form & Forest (Mar 27, 2009)
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Home tour in Portland, Oregon this weekend Feb. 21

Link to Home tour in Portland, Oregon this weekend Feb. 21
http://www.11xdesign.com/

If you find yourself in Portland, OR this weekend, you might want to check out this modern home tour.

11xDesign is a free open house of new buildings designed, financed and developed by eleven local architects and designers. The buildings are in different stages of completion.

Of particular interest to Prefabcosm readers, SIPS Residence (built from SIPs) by info_smallSeed Architecture Studio.

event: 11xDesign modern home tour
where: Portland, OR
date: February 21, 2009
time: 10:00am - 5:00pm
cost: Free!
notes: see map for addresses of all 11 locations (pdf)

Hat Tip: Jetson Green on February 16, 2009.

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GOOD magazine's prefab timeline

Link to GOOD magazine's prefab timeline
http://www.good.is/?p=15017

GOOD Magazine recently provided an interesting timeline of prefab history.

Did you know?

1624 – The first known prefab, a panelized wood house, is shipped from England to Massachusetts as housing for a fishing fleet.

They published a set of short articles as the GOOD Guide to Prefab Construction:

Publication: GOOD Magazine
Author: Alexandra Spunt
Date: February 4, 2009

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The sustainability of modular housing

The New York Times recently discussed the sustainability of modular housing.

The modular housing industry likes to say that it has always had a few characteristics that today might be considered eco-friendly — from reduced waste to a smaller construction footprint.

But it’s only recently — and increasingly amid the flagging housing market — that manufacturers of factory-built homes have realized that concepts like efficiency and sustainability can make for good business strategy.

Mentioned in the article:

Read the entire article.

Author: Nick Chambers
Publication: New York Times
Section: Green Inc. Blog ("Energy, the Environment and the Bottom Line")
Length: 467 words
Date: February 11, 2009

(Hat tip: Charles Bevier of Building Systems on February 11, 2009.)

Related Posts:
   1. In the news: New World Home (Aug 31, 2009)
   2. New Old Green Modular™ by New World Home (Jul 10, 2009)
   3. New models from Ecohealth and Penn Lyon (Apr 06, 2009)
   4. Ecohealth in the news (Apr 06, 2009)
   5. Modular Construction in Green Building seminar on March 19, 2009 (Mar 16, 2009)
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Photos of a Sunset Breezehouse being set in California

Link to Photos of a Sunset Breezehouse being set in California
http://blog.michellekaufmann.com/?p=1874

info_smallMichelle Kaufmann shared a series of 8 pictures of a info_smallSunset Breezehouse being set last weekend in the Central Valley of Northern California.

(It looks much warmer there compared to here in New England!)

available: Yes!
price: $499,000-$548,900
size: 1996 sf
BR: 3
baths: 2

Related Posts:
   1. Sunset Magazine features LVM by Rocio Romero (Jul 22, 2009)
   2. Sunset Modern Cottage on display June 12 - July 19, 2009 (Jun 10, 2009)
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Jennifer Siegel interview at Awearness Blog

Andrew Huff of the Kenneth Cole Awearness Blog recently interviewed Jennifer Siegel, founder and principal of info_smallOffice of Mobile Design (OMD).

Well, there are three advantages [to prefab construction], which are the issues that play out in every building. There's always this issue of design or style, the issue of cost, and the issue of time. And what's exciting about factory-built or prefabricated systems is that all three of those become possible -- better design, less time, less money. And that's really the holy trinity in the design world.

Read part one and part two of the interview. (The post embeds the USA Network video that we covered two days ago, but the interview is their own.)

Related Posts:
   1. Jennifer Siegel named 2009 Character Approved Honoree (Feb 11, 2009)
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Pictures of a B-Line Small

Link to Pictures of a B-Line Small
hivemodular.com

Jetson Green recently shared pictures of a info_smallB-Line house by info_smallHive Modular.

Here are the specs:

model: info_smallB-Line
designer: info_smallHive Modular
price: $185/sf
size: 1,410 sf
BR: 2
baths: 2

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Jennifer Siegel named 2009 Character Approved Honoree

USA Network recently named Jennifer Siegel as their 2009 Character Approved honoree for architecture.

The Character Approved Awards honor the characters of the U.S.A. who are changing the face of American culture. Character Approved honorees are innovators in their field who influence our opinions, our style, and our view of the world. They surprise and inspire us with fresh ideas. They are celebrated by their peers. And they have an authentic style that's all their own.

Jennifer Siegel founded CA-based info_smallOffice of Mobile Design (OMD)

Hat tip: Awearness Blog by Kenneth Cole on February 9, 2009.

Related Posts:
   1. Jennifer Siegel interview at Awearness Blog (Feb 13, 2009)
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NY Times: Live the Box competition

Link to NY Times: Live the Box competition
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/02/01/realestate/01njzo-650.jpg

The New York times recently shared the winners of Live the Box: An International Design Competition.

According to the contest site:

AIA Newark and Suburban challenges the world’s most innovative thinkers and designers to re-invent the box with their most inspired and creative utilizations of shipping containers as the primary construct of an urban multi-family mixed use project.

They list the entrants and winners.

Read the NYT article for more details.

Author: Antoinette Martin
Publication: New York Times
Section: In the region: New Jersey
Length: 793 words
Date: February 1, 2009

(Hat tips: TreeHugger on February 2, 2009 and Apartment Therapy Re-Nest on February 3, 2009)

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Container home in Kansas City

Link to Container home in Kansas City
http://www.flickr.com/photos/homecontained

materialicious covered a shipping container house in Kansas City. They found the house via LamiDesign idea log.

The look is very basic. In any case, check out the 53 pictures on Flickr. It's interesting that one section has poured concrete walls.

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Rocio Romero on the radio

KWMU 90.7, a radio station in Perryville, MO, recently broadcast a bit about info_smallRocio Romero.

It's not often that the terms "prefabricated home" and "modern architecture" are heard together. But a young architect in Missouri has spent a decade figuring out how to bring low prices to the realm of high design.

Listen to the broadcast (3:35) via the player at the top of the article, check out their slideshow, and read the accompanying article.

Author: Matt Sepic
Publication: KWMU (90.7)
Section: News
Length: 562 words
Date: January 23, 2009

Related Posts:
   1. Sunset Magazine features LVM by Rocio Romero (Jul 22, 2009)
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Custom modular homes in Massachusetts

Link to Custom modular homes in Massachusetts
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090125/BIZ/901250304

The Cape Cod Times recently featured custom modular homes by info_smallRealty Development Associates in Sagamore, MA.

Modular home buyers now have a wide choice of fine features that rival those in stick-built homes, from tray and vaulted ceilings, to granite and marble tiles, carpet to wood flooring, maple or cherry cabinets, beadboard and paneled wainscoting and high-grade insulated windows.

Read the entire article for more details.

Author: Kathy Sharp Frisbee
Publication: Cape Cod Times
Section: Business
Length: 250 words
Date: January 25, 2009

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