Blu Homes Releases Bigger, Better Glidehouse 2.0 Prefab

Last year a shock went through the prefab world when <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/05/27/michelle-kaufmann-designs-closes-under-terrible-economy/" target="_blank">Michelle Kaufmann had to close the doors</a> on her famous <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/09/21/prefab-friday-green-prefab-mklotus-debuts/">prefab home</a> design company. Then almost a year ago, up-and-comer, <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/09/29/breaking-news-blu-homes-acquires-michelle-kaufman-prefab-designs/" target="_blank">Blu Homes, bought the rights to mK's designs</a> and gained her expertise for a short time in order to update the designs and re-release them under Blu's name. We're excited to announce that the first of the updated homes, the Glidehouse, has just been released -- it's bigger, better and utilizes <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/04/01/blu-homes-unveils-two-story-evolution-prefab-home/" target="_blank">Blu Home's steel framing and folding system</a> for more efficient transport and on-site assembly.

The new Glidehouse is an updated version of Michelle Kaufmann's original. The new design is notably wider than the original.

Blu Homes also adapted the design to conform to their steel and wood hybrid frame and folding technology so it could be manufactured in their factory and delivered more efficiently.

Blu Homes under the mK Designs brand has just unveiled the updated plans. They have yet to construct a new Glidehouse, but given the popularity of mK's designs, it likely won't be long before they are popping these out of their Massachusetts factory.

The Glidehouse still retains many of the original qualities that made it so popular, including the breezy open feel, floor-to-ceiling energy-efficient windows, cedar shading louvers on the front, solar passive design and the contemporary flair inside.

Large storage compartments on the inner walls provide tons of built-in storage, so home owners can store away their things while leaving the space open and uncluttered.

Available with two or three bedrooms and two full baths, the prefab also offers options such as additional bedrooms, carports, garages and fireplaces.

Consider the update as Glidehouse 2.0 -- it's a better and bigger version of the original classic.

In the new design, Blu thought it was important to widen the rooms a bit to provide a more spacious feel. Those few extra feet will make a huge difference.

The standard model comes with two bedrooms and two full baths plus a small office space and starts at $360,000.

The interior of the home can be altered to provide additional office or closet space or stairs to a lower level or garage.

An extra pod or studio space can be added to the design and located next to the main house. This could be used as an office, studio, bedroom or living space.

Blu Homes has worked to design all their homes to high energy efficiency standards -- their homes generally use 50-60% less energy than the average home.

The Glidehouse features a ton of green features and meets ENERGY STAR standards for energy efficiency and performance as well as the American Lung Association Health House standards. The home could also be LEED certified or powered by solar panels if desired.