The mkLotus, San Francisco, California
Q. Why did most of the homeowners choose a prefabricated home? Was it for environmental reasons, costs, short construction times, or what else?
I believe that most of the homeowners built their homes prefabricated because of environmental issues. They appreciate how strongly they’re built and their lack of vulnerability to the elements. Other factors include the speed of construction; they are built faster and are not delayed by poor weather conditions. In general, I think people are building prefab because they believe they will get a better house.
Q. Since prefab is still relatively unknown to the general public, how does the prefab construction industry need to change or adapt in order to become more main stream? What challenges do you see that still lie ahead for prefab?
The main detriment the prefab industry has is their lack of advertising and promotion. Prefab construction is one of the best-kept secrets in America. I hope my book helps to demystify and dispel any negative myths about prefabricated homes and shows readers how beautiful and how green these homes can be. For all of the houses featured in the book, I have included a list of its “Green Aspects.” Each and every home demonstrates that green living is not as complicated as you might think, and is attainable by everyone. It also shows readers that you don’t have to sacrifice luxury to go green.
Q. There’s a bit of a stigma out there in the design world, that prefabs are only for people who have a lot of money. Do you think that’s true?
I think the stigma has been that they are small and boxy and this is easily dispelled by Prefabulous + Sustainable. Building a system’s built home can actually save the homeowner up to 15%, which I discuss in the book. Factory-built homes are greener, more efficient, sturdier, and more cost-effective than site-built homes. In addition, many prefab manufacturers offer a limited 10-year warranty, which is much more than any site builder provides.
Q. Who would you want to build your prefab home for you?
I would be happy with any of the builders profiled in the book. They are all extremely knowledgeable and dedicated to building an efficient and comfortable house.
Thanks Sheri, we loved checking out the homes you profiled!
Copyright Abrams; April 2010
Photo of Sheri Koones: © Annie Watson
My prefab dream home costs $150 per sq. ft. It will generate more energy than it consume (including charging electric car). The main structure can be easily replicated by others so that there will be many more this type of home in the world. However, details of the home can be easily customized to fit individual taste.
My view is something more along the lines of the FabCab, I think houses need to be smaller and use the space more efficiently without having things that are unnecessary and without losing comfort. Although we need to live in a way that does not take anything away from others, now and in the future, here and in other countries, people plants and animals. It should feel safe and yet allow to those living inside to feel apart of all that is outside. It should still be aesthetically pleasing and energy/space/resource efficient.
I want a prefab! But if I can purchase an already built semi-efficient home make it efficient with technology and lifestyle changes and urban farming then I would love that as well. But work on PreFAB and I want to read this book!
I agree with Sheri, it’s hard to pick a favorite. I love Michelle Kaufmann’s homes and Hive designs along with many other prefab & sustainable homes. But each site has a home which it would be best suited for so when I get lucky enough for the greenest home, I’ll decide then. can’t wait to read this book, hope it will be in many libraries, working hard on the Reducing “R”. Any word on if it was printed on recycled paper &/or soy ink??
my dream home Michelle Kaufmans prefab is
My dream prefab home is a container home that incorporates 7 shipping containers that span an open distance in the middle. Well insulated for high energy efficiency and finished off with reclaimed and reused materials that include salvaged wood, beams, tile and metal. And hopefully we will be starting on this prefabbish dream house this year. Nothing better than reusing and repurposing what you have into a beautiful home. Though it will be weird to say our home was made in China!
I’m looking to build, I don’t want to buy. My dream is to be able to build a house and have every detail of the house work just for me. A prefab is an awesome way of doing this because you can structure the house to move for you while remaining cost efficient.
My prefab dream would be sustainable and add energy back to the grid while being made of healthy materials like carpets without harsh chemicals. In terms of design and layout, it would be modern with a lot of wood and steel. It would be designed to be livable and promote “organic” movements from one room to the next. I refuse to live in a house where you say how much easier life would be if something was moved just a few feet.
Having witnessed several transformations and updates to the pre-fab industry, I believe that the latest design directions for this approach to living environments inspire me. I have so appreciated the tight fits and the low waste created during the construction of these new designs for this approach fits into the attitude- \\\”tread lightly, disturb little\” upon the land we build.
I so appreciate writers and professionals that locate, document and photograph great examples of architecture and building types. I look forward to curling up with this one.
To choose one style of prefab over another is hard, but regardless it needs to be comfortable and livable for myself and likewise my family, as I want a small collection of these homes surrounding a round drive-way much in the style of a small town. This would allow me to live with my parents and siblings close together and yet with enough privacy to escape each other after heated “Games Nights”! I really can’t wait to see what this book has to offer to me as inspiration!
My dream home is the net-zero Bright Built Barn. Just love it!
my dream green house is a home that utilizes all of its space in a functional and stylish way. Having it be prefab helps with the house being constructed with the least amount of waste, sustainable wood and other eco-friendly products. All products used in the house would be natural if not biodegradable, with wind and solar energy, as well as man-powered energy for small appliances. A small water treatment to make water from cleaning the house and from showers be reusable. The backyard would be a vegetable, fruit and legume garden to help with sustainability. Trash would be recycled and compostables would be used in the garden. So which prefab house seems to be able to do the trick and be my dream home? I would have to say Huf Haus is beautiful, energy efficient, spacious(which although it may be seen as not green, it is needed when you have kids and pets)and uses sustainable wood (and uses remaining wood for its energy!) Thanks!!!
I am particularly fond of the smaller footprint homes, that truly make a green statement. Of the ones shown from the book, Michelle Kaufmann’s design really appeals. Of course there are elements of the others that appeal also. I have always had a soft spot for timber frame, and Brian Fuentes timber frame rises to that.