The world of prefab and modular homes.
 Entries tagged as 'Prefabcosm'

I've been busy; daily posts will resume soon!

Some of you may have noticed the lack of daily posts recently. I've been driving cross-country, trying to squeeze in some work between visiting friends and family.

Daily posts and site updates will resume in a few weeks.

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New checkbox search for our database of prefab and modular homes

Link to New checkbox search for our database of prefab and modular homes

Hello, Scott here. Peter has just released a new feature that I designed (and he painstakingly implemented). It combines our previous one-click navigation with a more flexible search using checkboxes.

The earlier approach was quick:

  • click any parameter to go directly to those results
  • click any other parameter to drill-down farther

Here's how it looked (for homes priced between $100k - $199k with 1,500 - 1,999 sf):
old-search

Many online stores use this approach, but it has one big problem: what if your target doesn't match the specified ranges? Maybe you'd like 3-4 BR between 1,500-2,999 (which spans 2 ranges). That would take 4 different searches! The solution is simple: checkboxes.

Now you can be thorough:

  • click the checkbox for any parameter
  • click the checkbox for any other parameters
  • click "Search"

Many sites feature direct drill-down, others have checkboxes. We have both working together in the same form. (If you've seen this combination anywhere else, please send us the URL!) To add or remove a single parameter from your search, just click on it directly. To change several, use the checkboxes and click Search.

As before, options that have no data are crossed out. You can click on one to reset your search and see results for just that item.

Please try this new interface to what we think is the world's most complete database of modernist prefab homes that are available to order. (Plus some traditional style homes, and lots of prototype and custom prefabs.)

Related Posts:
   1. Prefabcosm update: available, prototype, discontinued (Jan 12, 2008)
   2. Prefabcosm update: one-click navigation of prefab and modular homes (Dec 27, 2007)
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PreFab Now and a new resource for Prefabcosm

Link to PreFab Now and a new resource for Prefabcosm
amazon.com

I've been going through a bunch of old notes and found a link to PreFab Now. MocoLoco explains:

If any of Trulove's books are an indicator, PreFab Now should include the state of the art in contemporary prefabricated home design. The promo copy hints at this; "Architects are using new construction technologies and materials to create complex designs that make every prefabricated home look custom- designed.". The book also "addresses the advantages and disadvantages of choosing a prefab home over a custom-built one [and] covers cost, sustainability, and durability."

To help keep track of books we cover on Prefabcosm, we've added a new page: info_smallPrefab books.

title: Prefab Now
author: James Trulove
release date: Mar 2007
list price: $39.95
details: 192 pages, hardcover
publisher: Collins Design

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Last year on Prefabcosm: videos

In addition to news articles and websites, we blogged about several videos of prefab and modular homes last year. A full list of videos we covered, in the order we covered them:

Name/Description Subject Length Date
Hive Modular landscape architect info_smallHive Modular 4:34 9/20/06
Hive Modular HGTV show info_smallHive Modular 6:51 2/08/07
Nashville Modern Prefab info_smallHive Modular 1:09 2/26/07
miniHome tour info_smallminiHome 5:07 3/24/07
Pacific Palisades Prefab info_smallOMD 4:11 4/15/07
Resolution: 4 Architecture factory info_smallResolution: 4 Architecture 3:40 5/28/07
Dwell Home open house info_smallResolution: 4 Architecture 2:19 5/28/07
Fly-through of a 3d rendering info_smallResolution: 4 Architecture 0:45 5/28/07
SG Blocks container install SG Blocks 0:31 7/31/07
CNET at the XtremeHomes factory info_smallXtremeHomes
info_smallMKD
3:14 8/30/07
CNET covers the PowerPod PowerPod 5:44 9/18/07
CNET visits the mkLotus info_smallMKD
info_smallmkLotus
3:13 10/2/07
SG Blocks Art Fennel interview SG Blocks 7:44 11/13/07
Res: 4 interview at OpenHouse NYC info_smallResolution: 4 Architecture 4:04 12/1/07
Marmol Radziner videos (7 videos) info_smallMarmol Radziner varies varies
Bob Vila covers modular (44 videos) miscellaneous varies varies
LivingHome installation info_smallLivingHomes ? ?
Modular homes on Cool Stuff Being Made miscellaneous >15:00 ?
Installation of Nevada House 1 info_smallMarmol Radziner 4:51 ?

Related Posts:
   1. Last year on Prefabcosm: historical (Feb 01, 2008)
   2. Last year on Prefabcosm: events (Jan 31, 2008)
   3. Last year on Prefabcosm: news (Jan 30, 2008)
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Last year on Prefabcosm: websites

We covered many informative websites on prefab and modular homes last year. A few of our favorite posts:

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Last year on Prefabcosm: news

Link to Last year on Prefabcosm: news
telegraph.co.uk

A few of our favorite blogs posted round-up posts at the end of last year. Materialicio.us listed their top 25 stories of 2007, including a number of great prefabs. Jetson Green covered his most popular articles.

We were inspired to review our posts, clean-up the tags and share some highlights -- even if a bit late. First up, our favorite prefab news articles from last year.

From major US newspapers:

Local papers:

And more:

Related Posts:
   1. Last year on Prefabcosm: videos (Feb 06, 2008)
   2. Last year on Prefabcosm: historical (Feb 01, 2008)
   3. Last year on Prefabcosm: events (Jan 31, 2008)
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Prefabcosm update: available, prototype, discontinued

Link to Prefabcosm update: available, prototype, discontinued

We've added status designators to each model and variation page. The info_smallBURST* page is shown above, with status "prototype." Each model is designated as either:

available: can be purchased now (example: info_smallmicro compact home)

prototype: includes concepts, demonstration homes, and models that will be available in the future (example: info_smallAperture House)

discontinued: ... but worth tracking to see how the industry changes over time (example: info_smallv2shell)

Related Posts:
   1. New checkbox search for our database of prefab and modular homes (Mar 07, 2008)
   2. Prefabcosm update: one-click navigation of prefab and modular homes (Dec 27, 2007)
   3. Our feed URLs are changing! (Oct 29, 2007)
   4. Prefabcosm site changes! (Oct 29, 2007)
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Prefabcosm update: one-click navigation of prefab and modular homes

Link to Prefabcosm update: one-click navigation of prefab and modular homes

We've been quietly organizing our database of prefab and modular homes by style (traditional or modern), price, size, bedrooms and construction method. Click any choice to see the matching home models; click again to refine your search. At each stage, options that have no data are crossed out.

Other new features:
• a new company index that summarizes what each provides
• individual pages for each home model and variation
• you can now leave comments on home models, variations and companies
• an improved front page with direct access to key features of the site

We have more changes planned; please let us know if you have any specific information requests.

Related Posts:
   1. New checkbox search for our database of prefab and modular homes (Mar 07, 2008)
   2. Prefabcosm update: available, prototype, discontinued (Jan 12, 2008)
   3. Our feed URLs are changing! (Oct 29, 2007)
   4. Prefabcosm site changes! (Oct 29, 2007)
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Our feed URLs are changing!

With the new design and code updates, our feed URLs have changed. If you have been reading our blog via the RSS feed, please change the URL that you use to fetch the feed.

The blog feed is now at:
http://prefabcosm.com/blog/feeds/posts/

The comment feed is now at:
http://prefabcosm.com/blog/feeds/comments/

The old feeds will work for a short period of time and then we will retire them, so please make the change now. If you get stuck or have any questions, let us know!

Related Posts:
   1. Prefabcosm update: available, prototype, discontinued (Jan 12, 2008)
   2. Prefabcosm update: one-click navigation of prefab and modular homes (Dec 27, 2007)
   3. Prefabcosm site changes! (Oct 29, 2007)
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Prefabcosm site changes!

We updated the design of our site this weekend, e.g. stronger highlight in the "nav bar" (navigation menu on the left) and links have moved from the regular bright blue underline to medium blue without underline. Feedback welcome!

And, lots of changes under the hood: please let us know if you notice any glitches. We've already fixed several...

Tip: to make sure you have the latest stylesheets, hold down the "alt" key (or "option" on the Mac) and click the reload icon in your browser.

Related Posts:
   1. Prefabcosm update: available, prototype, discontinued (Jan 12, 2008)
   2. Prefabcosm update: one-click navigation of prefab and modular homes (Dec 27, 2007)
   3. Our feed URLs are changing! (Oct 29, 2007)
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Welcome to the prefabcosm

Our aim is to create the web's #1 resource for prefab and modular homes.

Prefab is poised to change the housing industry. The new emphasis on cutting-edge design and high-quality construction complements the traditional benefits of shorter construction times and the potential for lower costs.

Our primary audience is the potential prefab or modular homeowner.

Our second audience is the prefab industry, including the people and companies that contribute to and produce the materials, products and events that build prefab homes.

As a designer and builder myself, I hope to bring you the latest news, with some added insight. I look forward to sharing my passion for design, and playing whatever small role I can to help move the prefab industry forward.

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Our aim is to create the web's #1 resource for prefab and modular homes. Read our blog for daily news, and browse around to learn more about the emerging world of prefab.