Archive for April, 2007
April 12, 2007 at 5:58 am · Tags: Books
A few weeks ago, we mentioned the release of the new book, Prefabulous. We asked for a review, and the Realty Times was nice enough to answer, somewhat. The article is more of an update of the trends happening in prefabricated homes. Here is an excerpt:
Strutting her point that prefab is the new fab, Ms. Koones grabs readers’ attention with an introduction to system-built homes illustrated by a jaw-dropping Mediterranean-style mansion located in toney Southampton, New York. Replete with a tile roof, arched doorways and windows, brick and columned accents, and a gorgeous fountain flanked by recessed alcoves for statuary, the stuccoed home looks like it was moved from the hills of Tuscany to New York.
April 4, 2007 at 1:14 am · Tags: SeattlePrefab
We’ve been enjoying a blog that started this year called SeattlePrefab. This is the site’s self description:
Seattle Prefab is run by two couples who are planning to build a mini-community of prefab homes in the Seattle area. We plan to use this site to share our experience throughout the process so that others interested in pursuing modern prefab architecture can learn and contribute thoughts, advice, and maybe some encouragement as we move forward.
Here is one of their proposed floorplans:
April 4, 2007 at 1:08 am · Tags: eCube
eCube is a line of “environmentally responsible”, flatpak homes that can cost as little as $150/sq. foot when constructed.
“The E Cube housing system has twice the energy efficiency of comparable houses built to standard code requirements. E Cube houses meet or exceed all other Code requirements. Jenesys maintains a core commitment to the extensive use of environmentally sustainable products.”
April 4, 2007 at 12:59 am · Tags: MetroShed
MetroCabin is an attractive prefabricated room, whose manufacturer, MetroShed, claims can be assembled in three days by two people. It seems like an attractive option for those looking for a small office, cabana, or getaway. It starts at $29,500
April 4, 2007 at 12:30 am · Tags: BokLok, Europe, Ikea, UK
Ikea has now put together an informative website that highlights their intentions with the planned Boklok developments across Europe. Additionally, there are several country-specific sites for Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, and the UK.
Secondly, the Guardian has thorough coverage of Ikea’s Boklok move into the UK,
Expansion into the UK is a big step for BoKlok, but a logical one. It was conceived in 1996 in response to similar housing conditions to those of present-day UK: demand outstripping supply, rising prices, not enough homes being built at the affordable end of the market. Initially, the BoKlok team turned not to architects but to researchers. They tracked trends in the dwindling size of the average Swedish household, and identified the model BoKlok homeowner: a female single parent with one child, no car and an average income. They then studied how much she could afford in rent, and set their budgets accordingly. Surveys conducted at Ikea stores across Sweden revealed their potential customers’ housing priorities: the desire to live in secure, small-scale surroundings; proximity to the countryside; contact with neighbours; and homes that were light, well-planned, functional and furnished with natural materials.
