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The world of prefab and modular homes. |
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| http://www.xtenarchitecture.com/ |
ArchDaily recently covered a project by 
XTEN Architecture. The new structure is an art gallery which was added to a private residence in Los Angeles.
A structural system of lightweight braced frames was developed. They were factory built and assembled by crane in one day.
See the post for more details and pictures.
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| http://la.curbed.com/archives/2008/03/ca_boom_the_pre.php |
We couldn't attend this year's CA Boom show in Los Angeles, so here are a few recaps from others:
Curbed LA took a look at the Modern-Shed booth:
One interesting new [entrant] was ... the itty-bitty Modern Shed and its quaint homemade sale sign in the window: "$15,000 with deck. Free Local Delivery."They also went on a tour of the Red Barn Prefab that we covered previously:
The designer of the home was on site, and gave a brief introductory speech before we started exploring and snapping pictures. The home was built using re-engineered steel, concrete floors (natch) and eco-timber flooring.... The home took nine months to build and actually has a twin next door...
The LA Times slideshow included a tour of an OMD home.
We previously covered Allison Arieff's related interview; here's the accompanying slideshow.
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| designmobile.com |
Curbed LA watched an OMD home being delivered:
These shots, taken last month, show the delivery of a two-story prefabricated home going up in the Ocean Park neighborhood of Santa Monica. The 2,200 square foot home is comprised of 4 modular units; these shots show the upper two being installed.
Treehugger reports:
We previously showed the Travelpod, an experimental prefab from Travelodge, and thought it was an interesting one-off. We were wrong; the company is looking seriously at prefab hotels and is building their first in the west London district of Uxbridge, right now.
The Good Human's Prefab Wednesday was off this week.
Inhabitat's Prefab Friday made a surprising architectural discovery at the the Consumer Electronics Show. We'll cover that model soon.
architecture.MNP discussed a recently completed Resolution: 4 project.
A number of folks had thoughts on the Home Delivery prefab exhibition at MoMA. The Dream Antilles had a good idea:
If these houses are supposed to be good, somebody should live in them during the show and the people who view the exhibit should be visitors in the houses.
Jaunted provided some new details:
Foundations will be laid in February and the homes will arrive in late May, popping up in next to no time.
The Chicago Tribune predicts:
Given MoMA's taste-making power and its location in the media capital of the world, the show could go a long way toward making prefab housing something more than just a glimmer in visionaries' eyes.
greenbuildingsNYC is excited. The Gothamist commented, as did Curbed. Treehugger mentioned the show. The Chronicle of Higher Education likes the idea that professors' work will be included in the show.
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| redbarnprefab.com |
If you live in the Los Angeles area and are in the market for a prefab home, Red Barn Prefab might have the land and "barn" for you:
...tear-down on spacious lot with panoramic views from the Hollywood Hills to the Pacific. Also available: plans & construction contract to build a ... loft-style custom home by Red Barn Prefab.
Red Barn Prefab builds "red barns" around the Southwest:
Venice based designer, Andres Ariza started his design career as a result of a frustrating housing search for himself and his then 4 year-old son.... Ariza’s concept has now been refined and launched as a turnkey complete home that is available in 9 states under the moniker “Red Barn Prefab.”
Two more projects are planned, Case Study Houses No.5 and No.6. Features include:
• approx. 3,900 sf
• 4 bedrooms, 3 baths
• screening room
• radiant heating
(Hat tip: Curbed LA)
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| inhabitat.com |
The Good Human's Prefab Wednesday posted a recap of 2007.
Inhabitat's Prefab Friday covered the German 'Option House':
Option is a fully functional, light-filled dwelling that delivers low-impact living in just 70 square meters [753 sf] of elegant and understated space.
Haute*Nature discussed the Sea Train House by Office of Mobile Design:
...an amazing example of how you can change the natural environment...
Jetson Green showed a video of a not-yet-built container home:
Looks pretty cool, but let's see if it gets made...
G Living TV says a Marmol Radziner Prefab is coming to Venice, CA:
Slated to begin production early next year, the exact location of the house is being kept secret. All we have at this stage are some specs: three bedrooms and 2,800 interior square footage with a 750 square foot deck.
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| losangeles.tvoa.net |
From Curbed LA:
Dubbed the Silver Lake Twins, the two homes, both of which are three-bedrooms, three-baths, are located at 3422 Fernwood Avenue (2,600 square feet) and 426 Fernwood Avenue ( 2,200 square feet) and priced at $349,000 and $337,000, respectively, although a disclaimer: price includes land only, with rights to contract with prefab companies Empyrean and Res:4 to finish the design/construct a Dwell home.
The real estate listings at the Value of Architecture have a little more info:
Perched on a rocky promontory with panoramic views of the Hollywood Hills, from Griffith Observatory to Century City, the side-by-side Silver Lake Twins fit well within the modernist architectural tradition of the neighborhood and point to the future of prefabrication in home design.
Curbed readers had mixed feelings:
Those retaining walls are $150-$200k alone. That's a pretty gnarly grade.
Also, seems chances are slim that it will be 'twins' given the effort it's going to take. Anybody really believe two seperate parties are going to end up creating identical properties.
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| modern-modular.com |
CubeMe discussed the Bombala house, an offering from Modern Modular.
Curbed LA wrote about the first weeHouse in Los Angeles:
...a three-unit weeHouse (yes, that's how it's spelled) development for Valevista Trail. A family is planning to build the development, which is currently in the permit phase, and sell the homes...
Spanish-language blog Cien Ladrillos wrote a long post about prefabs in Spain.
Inhabitat's Prefab Friday and The Good Human's Prefab Wednesday both covered the mkLoft from Michelle Kaufmann Designs. We'll discuss that in more detail soon.
Jetson Green looked at a new container project in Panama City, Panama.
I happened upon a new blog called Prefab Dweller, which looks to cover "modern prefab housing, modern architecture, and green housing." Recent posts include one about Alchemy Architects' weeHouse.
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| cubeme.com |
CubeMe wrote about the Drop House, a prefab prototype:
"Here is a Prototype of a really cool-looking portable house."Several of the rooms pop out from the main house volume.
The Good Human's Prefab Wednesday explained why they write about prefab.
Curbed LA wrote about an OMD prefab in Santa Monica:
"Green and tidy!"
We'll discuss Inhabitat's Prefab Friday post about the mkLotus in a separate post.
Jetson Green discussed another prefab prototype, the Tread Lightly House.
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| walkerart.org |
The Some Assembly Required show organized earlier this year by the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, is now on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art at the Pacific Design Center in LA:
"...the exhibition features eight modern modular house projects that have recently been realized. The designs address a range of approaches to prefabrication, including off-site construction, customized sections that are assembled on-site, and kits with plans and parts from which a house can be constructed."
Ecorazzi says "...you can see scale models of prefab homes, pictures, and samples of materials. Architects Marmol Radziner Prefab, Lazor, and Alchemy Architects are showcased..."
On Blogcritics, LX.TV files a video report about the show, featuring an interview with Leo Marmol of Marmol Radziner.
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| from caboomshow.com |
Prefab is definitely entering the design mainstream. Case in point: the presence of prefab at the CA Boom 4 show in Santa Monica March 30th through April 1st.
At least twelve prefab vendors will be on hand to showcase and sell their products. In order to be present, vendors had to satisfy the following criteria:
- ability to provide actual price quotes
- ability to receive and accept orders
- have at least one built dwelling under their belt
- have a manufacturing process in place (not just a plan)
- have knowledge of how to deliver and install the dwelling
These are serious players. They've proven that their products are ready to grow up and enter the real world, not just exist on paper.
All of the vendors present are part of the modernist prefab market. And some established players like Rocio Romero won't even be present. However, just to see the coverage and space being provided to the "Prefab Zone" is exciting, especially for those of us who believe prefab deserves a wider audience.
Between now and the show, I will profile each of the vendors and their products. I'll provide nightly updates of the internet buzz about the show and I will be attending on Sunday, getting a first-hand look at what the companies have to offer. So stay tuned!
