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The world of prefab and modular homes. |
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| Al Seib / Los Angeles Times |
Los Angeles Times recently featured mini prefab structures, including a photo gallery.
Companies mentioned:
Hat tip: materialicious on June 15, 2009.
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| E. Spencer Toy |
Sunset Magazine debuted the Modern Cottage Idea House by 
Modern Cabana at their recent 2009 Celebration Weekend.
Created by Casper Mork-Ulnes, award-winning architect and creative director at Modern Cabana, the Modern Cottage offers an elegant solution for expanding family space in a cost-conscious, fun and sustainable way.
From the slideshow:
Built in panels offsite and assembled in a couple of days at Sunset, the cottages are designed to create more living space that's both eco-friendly and affordable
The cottage will remain on display for an Open House.
Hat tip: Jetson Green on June 4, 2009.
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| dwell.com |
We weren't able to attend this year's Dwell on Design show in LA, so we'll just do a recap from afar.
Dwell's student blogger Jose Garcia interviewed Michelle Kaufmann.
Curbed LA gave a rundown of the prefab neighborhood with a slideshow and commentary.
Marmol Radziner shared some details on their blog. They rolled out the new Rincon 5 at the show:
The 660 square foot Rincon 5 is the largest of our new series of single module accessory buildings. The Rincon 5 is designed to be used as a guest house, office, or vacation retreat.
Apartment Therapy posted their thoughts, with a slideshow.
One of the most popular (and cramped) exhibits was the 1000 sq. ft. HOM shotgun style pre-fab house. Personally our favourite of the homes showcased.
We'll cover HOM in more detail soon. Until then, Jetson Green provided some info:
Of the three models that HOM plans for production, the (smaller) 1000 sf design was exhibited throughout the weekend in LA. HOM designs cost in the $200 psf range, which calculates to approximately $200,000 for a 1000 sf house....
One interesting aspect of these manufactured homes is that they're characterized under the federal HUD code for manufactured housing. Similar to the modern designs we see with miniHome, HOM homes have an axle and wheels that are disguised by skirting and decking.
(For reference: our miniHome page.)
This year's prefab exhibitors:
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Empyrean International
- Gregg Fleishman Studio
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Hive Modular
- HOM
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kitHAUS
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Modern Cabana
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Marmol Radziner
- pieceHomes
Absent from the show, but present last year:
If you visited the show, please leave your impressions in a comment!
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| http://www.dwell.com/peopleplaces/conferences/14292127.html |
Dwell Magazine's third Dwell On Design conference and exhibition is coming to the Los Angeles Convention Center June 5-8.
June 5th and 6th will feature conference sessions on a wide range of topics. On June 6 Michael Sylvester of fabprefab will host a session on "Systems Building and Prefab." Speakers include:
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Michelle Kaufmann of MKD
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Leo Marmol of Marmol Radziner
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Jay Eli of Empyrean International
The public exhibition opens June 7th (emphasis added):
Everything you ever wanted to know about modern design in one very big place: 200+ exhibitors, an entire neighborhood of full-scale pre-fab structures completely landscaped and furnished by Dwell. Plus you'll get hands-on, actionable advice and information from architects, designers and other trade professionals.
Prefab companies that are listed as exhibiting include:
If you're interested in attending, you can register for the exhibition FREE; just enter the code "BDODEC".
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| wired.com |
WIRED published an annotated slideshow of small prefabs last week:
The world is getting hotter and more crowded every day, and modular, prefab housing is just what the doctor ordered. When you go small, it's not just about energy efficiency and carbon footprints -- it's also about being strange, cool and beautiful. We've chosen our favorite houses that meld style with globally conscious living. Enjoy.
Models included:
• weeHouse
• Modern Cabana
• Marmol Radziner Prefab
• micro compact home
Treehugger summarized:
Some are real and some are vaporware; all have been around the block a few times. And of course, the comments include "why are these so expensive?"
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| habode.com |
The G-Living Network wrote about a new prefab concept, the Habode:
Habode homes are environmentally responsible pre-fab buildings that are tailored to your specifications. All of the houses are the same size (80 square meters), but the floor plan, window placement and doors are all up to you.The company has offices in Australia and New Zealand.
Treehugger covered an historic prefab from 1937:
...integrated furniture and appliances, transformer beds, five hundred bucks (about $15 PSF)- what's not to love?
I discovered a blog that's been around for a bit, but that doesn't get updated often: Modern Modular House. A recent entry has me excited for the release of the book Modular Architecture Manual.
The Good Human's Prefab Wednesday mentioned the Modern Cabana:
The structures are also easily expanded, so you can combine different Cabana’s to make whatever size you need, which is pretty cool.
Inhabitat's Prefab Friday discussed French prefab La Maison de Demain.
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| dwell.com |
The Dwell on Design conference is this weekend in San Francisco.
We won't be there, but here's who will:
• Alchemy Architects
• EcoSteel, aka EcoContempo
• Empyrean International
• H-Haus
• Hive Modular
• Michelle Kaufmann
• kitHAUS
• LivingHomes
• Modern Cabana
• Rocio Romero Homes
We heard from Alchemy Architects:
"Alchemy Architects will be at Dwell on Design 2007 with a weeHouse to 'tour'. Amazing, but we had a CA client who's weeHouse is just being finished...so it'll stop in San Fran on its way to San Diego. It's a very exciting opportunity for people who are interested in a weeHouse to see a weeHouse. We'll be in the outdoor, prefab section."
We know these vendors won't be attending:
• CleverHomes
• v2world
Some prefab-specific events that will be worth checking out:
• September 15 and 16, 2:45 - 3:15: "Prefab Discussion Panel" hosted by Michael Sylvester of fabprefab.com
• September 15, 2:00 - 2:30: "The Process Behind Prefab:The Design and Production of Green Modular Homes" with Jared Levy and Jason Davis of Marmol Radziner Prefab
• September 15, 3:30 - 4:00: "Creating the First LEED Platinum Home" with Steve Glenn of LivingHomes
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| metroshed.com |
CubeMe found another company, producing small prefab outbuildings. We've covered Modern Shed, Modern Cabana and Ecospace, and now there is the MetroCabin from MetroShed:
"The simple and sophisticated design allows it to exist easily in an urban setting, while the quiet strength and sturdy attitude are comfortable in a more rugged environment."
Update: fixed the picture (thanks to a commenter for pointing out the mistake)
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| www.moderncabana.com |
I previously mentioned Modern Shed and their prefab Studio Sheds. Since then, I've come across another domestic company offering similar products: Modern Cabana. I just ran across a UK company doing pretty much the same thing.
The goal of the Modern Sheds is "to be assembled quickly and with few tools. All models are packed flat with all the panels pre-built and finished." Their Studio Shed "comes with pre-insulated walls and roof panels" for purposes such as an office or art studio. They also have plans to sell larger Dwelling Sheds, ranging from 475sf to 1,260sf. These will feature the same construction and include bathrooms and kiitchens.
Each
Modern Cabana similarly "comes pre-assembled so it can be deployed in a matter of days - without permits or slab foundation in most communities." Multiple units can be connected "to create expanded floor plans ranging from 100 to 1000+ square feet." Installation can be handled by the buyer, a contractor, or the Modern Cabana team.
UK-based
Ecospace offers similar dwellings, at higher prices. They have four standard sizes ranging from 10' x 9' (~$35,000) to 22' x 9' (~$48,830). Their designs are also a little more interesting, but probably aren't worth the shipping across the ocean.
