I found two articles on prefab homes.
The reasons for pre-fab lack of appeal in the past has been very few
nice designs and they are about the same price as site bult houses.
New modern energy efficient designs and cost effective manufacturing
may change all that.
1. In the Azure magazine (Arcitecture $ Design - Sept/Oct 2004 edition, page 53)
An article on contempoary pre-fabs:
"In the past there has been a negative perception of modular homes.
But with advances in new technology, today's prefabs are well built
and energy efficient, while the manufacturing process itself is more
environmentally friendly. These houses sell for about the same as
conventional homes and less than custom-designed buildings. And if the
current boom in a modern design aesthetic is any indicator, prefabs
are in for a fab future."
2. from www.modularconnection.com/evolutn.html
An article on the history and future of pre-fabs:
"At the Modular Connection there's an awareness of anew picturesque
movement desired in the marketplace. Houses reflecting traditional
American taste such as Victorian, Colonial, English Tudor,
Contemporary and many other designs are part of our product portfolio.
Finished houses range from 850 sq ft lake units to more than 3,000 sq
ft four bedroom, three bath luxury homes. There's a wide selection of
floor plans, styles and sizes to meet every descriminating taste.
These houses are well designed aesthetically for low heating and
cooling cost.
A modular/industrialized house is considered the strongest of any
frame house built, conforming exactly to the same standards and codes
as site-built housing. A buyer should understand that buliding codes
don't guarantee quality. Careful investigation and comparison by the
prospective home buyer, to detect important differences, is essential.
THE FUTURE
Even the most conservative predictions anticipate housing prices will
continue to rise. Prime land is becoming more difficult to locate,
development expense and labor costs will move up and pressure will
mount for higher selling prices to the buying public. The unique
advantages inherent in the modular approach are predicted to make this
method the dominating force in building. Efficient manufacture of
products with buyer appeal is sure to accelerate this thrust. The
unique advantages inherent in modular construction have benefits that
can work to the advantage of the residential construction industry.
Becoming the dominant force will not be achieved in any revolution but
in continued gradual integration of the modular method into the
conventional building process."
Infonut7 |
