Green Pre Fab

     When prefabricated homes are mentioned, there is often a negative connotation. With prefabricated homes getting more stylish and tasteful, things are changing in how we view them. Another major change is that prefabricated homes are getting green. Prefabricated, or modular, home construction is enjoying a renaissance in the booming green building market.

     The basic principle of prefab construction is that sections of a home, or modules, are built in a controlled factory environment, transported to a project site, and then connected and placed onto a foundation. Depending on the complexity of the home, designers can employ anywhere from two to 50 structurally connected pieces. Once connected it quickly makes a place to call home.

     Most often prefab is associated with very modern design. This sort of building allows modern design techniques to be brought to the mainstream markets because it generally reduces construction and design costs significantly when compared to a similar custom-built home. Recently, a much broader range of prefab home options has emerged using green building principles.

     Green prefab homes come in all shapes and sizes. Smaller is the design choice for the “Wee House” by Alchemy Architects. Alchemy offers a wide selection of green materials, technologies and styles in their prefab houses. They come in small “solitaire” units or in multi-module larger “companions” if you need more space. While Wee Homes arrive on site nearly ready to live in, the homeowner still needs a contractor to complete the foundation, utility hookups and cabinetry. But you’ll save time, money and dramatically lower your environmental impact with a dwelling like the Wee House.

     There are several other examples that can be found on the web. One was a home that was made by MKD design that was featured in Sunset Magazine, called “The Breezehouse”. The home is Energy Star certified and highly efficient, relying on open cell foam insulation and thorough caulking to eliminate air leakage. The Breezehouse also features water-saving plumbing fixtures, on-demand water heaters, and a mechanical ventilation system that is 30% more efficient than typical forced-air systems.

     Another innovative prefab design is the Solaleya Home. Solaleya homes actually rotate to track the sun in order to use passive solar energy for heating. This rotation is highly energy efficient, provides a constant change of scenery, and brings warming natural light into the living space. The structure is made of a central pillar and arches, giving the home excellent hurricane and earthquake resistance. It is also Energy Star rated and is truly the house of choice for anyone who follows the sun all year round.

     Bamboo homes are another interesting option. These green prefab homes are made almost entirely out of bamboo, one of the most sustainable building materials on Earth. They can be customized for any climate zone making them incredibly strong and able stand up to both earthquakes and hurricanes. Many of these homes are built in Hawaii and are transported by ship, which is one of the less carbon-intensive methods of moving materials. If you live on the western coast of the U.S., transportation is less of an issue. The other environmental benefits of a bamboo structure certainly counter this one drawback.

     If you are looking for another choice in green housing, prefab might be an interesting option. It certainly has eco-friendly advantages and might be your green alternative.