In the last three articles of our Green Guide to Prefab series we discussed the history of prefab design, the evolution of mobile homes into modular prefabricated homes, and how to best choose a site for your prefab. Despite key components being prefabricated off-site, prefab homes actually offer a lot in the way of customization, allowing individuals to custom tailor many features to create their ideal living space. In our latest Green Guide to Prefab series, we’ll be taking a closer look at the concept of “lifestyle”, and we’ll tell you the questions you need to ask in order to build a home that fits best with your life. Read ahead as former Lindal Cedar Homes CEO and green design consultant Michael Harris returns to Inhabitat to walk us through the business of examining lifestyle and understanding why this element is crucial to creating a happy, comfortable and enduring home.
HOW YOUR LIFESTYLE AFFECTS THE PLANNING PROCESS
For many people, building a home is an exciting prospect that draws upon long-time dreams of creating a living environment that reflects their sensibilities, individuality and independence. Those who opt for prefabricated housing over moving into new communities of cookie-cutter tract houses are typically stirred most by those values — and this is what makes them as unique as the houses they seek.
Some of you are looking forward to planning your new home from scratch and are excited by the opportunity to proceed at a leisurely pace as you plan every detail with an architect. Others of you have may have already designed your dream home on paper and are seeking an expert such as an engineer to help you refine your creation and bring it to code. But there several of you who aren’t working from scratch, but are instead seeking out an existing design that will serve as a good starting point to developing your home. Prefab design is an attractive option for those in search of a perfect lifestyle fit without investing all the time, anxiety and headache that comes with building something from scratch.
One of the most important first steps to building a new home is to decide which of the above approaches best describes your planning temperament. Once you’ve done that, you need to explore this with prefab home builders. By visiting several builders you’re more likely to find one who can provide you with the type of planning experience that suits your lifestyle and temperament. It is important to ask a lot of questions to determine who is your best fit — your choice will bring you closer to making your dream home a reality.
That was a GREAT article. I’m not that old to plan for my own house yet, but I think this article is a great starting point when I start preparing. It was informative and detailed, but without getting bogged down with unnecessary details. Thanks a lot!
Juan Miguel Ruiz
http://www.GreenJoyment.com
Prefab does not necessarily mean predesigned.
My girlfriend and I had some ideas for a home worked out after we found a plot of land. We then went to see an engineer to, as you put it ‘refine it and put it to code’.
We then took the plans and went to several prefab builders and window making companies and got quotes for the wooden frame and the windows.
In 12 weeks, the wooden frame will be delivered. My father and I are going to help the prefab guys putting it together. The prefab builder said it should take only three days.
For budget-reasons we unfortunately had to let the passive house idea go, but the house is still insulated very well (±Rc
and triple glazed all around.