Casa Garoza: Spanish Prefab Prototype is Designed to Grow Over Time

This simple yet beautiful <a href="http://inhabitat.com/category/architecture/prefab-housing">prefab home</a> in Spain is designed to seamlessly grow over time to accommodate the changing needs of the residents. Designed by <a href="http://www.herrerosarquitectos.com/EN_Ind_Proyectos.html" target="_blank">Herreros Arquitectos</a>, Casa Garoza is a rectangular home made of basic materials that features a single-pitched roof and clerestory windows. The house is the first model for a new industrialized <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/modular-housing">modular prefab prototype</a> -- it currently consists of a studio with a kitchen, living and dining room and a loft, but it was designed to eventually expand to include another half with more bedrooms.

In 2010 Herreros Arquitectos completed the industrialized prototype for their growing house, which focuses on resource efficiency, recycling and sustainability.

During the first phase of construction 4 sections are transported via truck, then hoisted into place on top of a foundation of piers.

After all the modules are in place the exterior skin is sealed up. Each module is fabricated in a factory and includes all the interior finishes, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/incredible-transforming-lego-apartment-packs-4-rooms-into-1/">built-in furniture</a> and part of the exterior.

The modules are the maximum size for shipment via roads in <a href="http://inhabitat.com/metropol-parasol-the-worlds-largest-wooden-structure-opens-in-seville/">Spain</a> (3m wide, 2.50m high, and up to 12m long), which is much smaller than what we can transport in the US.

Limitations in transport sizes, whether in the US or Europe, have a huge effect on the design of prefab homes.

When the family decides it is time to expand, four more modules will be manufactured and shipped to the site, where they can easily hook into the existing home.

Existing exterior doors will become interior doors to the other side of the house, and the home will include multiple bedrooms and bathrooms.

Final floorplan for entire house with both sides installed.

Existing floorplan for one half, ground floor.

Existing floorplan for one half, loft or mezzanine.

Cross section of existing home and deck.