SubscribeSign In
A corrugated metal roofing, pine walls stained a warm blonde hue, and an abundance of glass make this modern prefab feel much roomier than its 1,600-square-feet size.
A corrugated metal roofing, pine walls stained a warm blonde hue, and an abundance of glass make this modern prefab feel much roomier than its 1,600-square-feet size.
For her family’s house near Melbourne, Anna Horne created a series of prefab wood modules using a design from the company Prebuilt. She found the old industrial letter at a factory; it stands for Somerset, the name of the house.
For her family’s house near Melbourne, Anna Horne created a series of prefab wood modules using a design from the company Prebuilt. She found the old industrial letter at a factory; it stands for Somerset, the name of the house.
“One of the goals of Zenkaya was to create employment in a country crippled by [an unemployment rate of over 25 percent],” explains the architect, who likes to call himself a social entrepreneur.
“One of the goals of Zenkaya was to create employment in a country crippled by [an unemployment rate of over 25 percent],” explains the architect, who likes to call himself a social entrepreneur.
Resident Brian Whitlock saved some serious cash by taking on much of the construction and electrical work himself.
Resident Brian Whitlock saved some serious cash by taking on much of the construction and electrical work himself.
Their tenants include veterinary student Leslie Carter and intern architect Brad Raines.
Their tenants include veterinary student Leslie Carter and intern architect Brad Raines.
Builders, developers, designers, and architects have developed a range of homes that are composed of prefabricated, modular, or kit-of-parts pieces that can allow for lower costs, faster and easier on-site construction, and even higher quality spaces. Here, we delve into the differences—and similarities—among these manufactured residences.
Builders, developers, designers, and architects have developed a range of homes that are composed of prefabricated, modular, or kit-of-parts pieces that can allow for lower costs, faster and easier on-site construction, and even higher quality spaces. Here, we delve into the differences—and similarities—among these manufactured residences.
An outdoor shower tucked behind a screen off the master bedroom neutralizes this threat. “We thought it sounded great for muddy kids to run up and shower off there,” Coco says.
An outdoor shower tucked behind a screen off the master bedroom neutralizes this threat. “We thought it sounded great for muddy kids to run up and shower off there,” Coco says.
Madrid-based firm PKMN dreamed up this flexible concept for a client with a tiny home north of the city. Made up of three shelving units on track system, the All I Own House can be configured in countless ways, making space for a bedroom, kitchen, sitting area, changing room, and more. Shown here is a horizontal Murphy bed, which makes a great space-saving solution as well as a comfortable sleeping space.
Madrid-based firm PKMN dreamed up this flexible concept for a client with a tiny home north of the city. Made up of three shelving units on track system, the All I Own House can be configured in countless ways, making space for a bedroom, kitchen, sitting area, changing room, and more. Shown here is a horizontal Murphy bed, which makes a great space-saving solution as well as a comfortable sleeping space.
The open observatory.
The open observatory.
Described as “Lego for grown-ups” Grupa’s ili_ili lamps (which translates to “either-or”) allow the consumer to pick and choose between six modular elements in different colors in order to create their own individualized lamps.
Described as “Lego for grown-ups” Grupa’s ili_ili lamps (which translates to “either-or”) allow the consumer to pick and choose between six modular elements in different colors in order to create their own individualized lamps.
Modular
Modular
Modular
Modular
Modular
Modular
A drop-down countertop conceals dishware and other kitchen belongings.
A drop-down countertop conceals dishware and other kitchen belongings.
One-Family Custom Housing: Olson Kundig Architects created this home in Washington's remote Methow Valley as four structures oriented around a central courtyard, each positioned to best enjoy the surrounding vistas in all four seasons.
One-Family Custom Housing: Olson Kundig Architects created this home in Washington's remote Methow Valley as four structures oriented around a central courtyard, each positioned to best enjoy the surrounding vistas in all four seasons.
A glass-fronted walkway leads from the main house to the office/play area.
A glass-fronted walkway leads from the main house to the office/play area.
A bathroom sits at one end of the room.
A bathroom sits at one end of the room.
In episode 5, Machnik and his teammates were asked to reimagine a pre-fabricated modular home. Lukas is commended for his idea to create a built-in daybed that saves space and provides a nook for relaxing. Photo courtesy of Lukas Machnik.
In episode 5, Machnik and his teammates were asked to reimagine a pre-fabricated modular home. Lukas is commended for his idea to create a built-in daybed that saves space and provides a nook for relaxing. Photo courtesy of Lukas Machnik.
The POD INDAWO, designed in Johannesburg by architect architect Clara da Cruz Almeida and the interior designer team Dokter and Misses, tries to address some of the country's housing issues in roughly 186 square feet by stacking space, incorporating custom storage solutions, and—most relevant to the South African context—maximizing sunlight and outdoor exposure.
The POD INDAWO, designed in Johannesburg by architect architect Clara da Cruz Almeida and the interior designer team Dokter and Misses, tries to address some of the country's housing issues in roughly 186 square feet by stacking space, incorporating custom storage solutions, and—most relevant to the South African context—maximizing sunlight and outdoor exposure.
The Element House stands on pylons, creating the illusion of it hovering over the desert floor. Nine thermal chimneys, one of which can be seen right, channel hot air out from the interior living areas.
The Element House stands on pylons, creating the illusion of it hovering over the desert floor. Nine thermal chimneys, one of which can be seen right, channel hot air out from the interior living areas.
“Your first impression is that the house is very closed,” says David Barragán of the building he designed with Jose María Sáez in Quito, Ecuador. Stacked concrete forms, developed by Barragán and Sáez and used as planters along the front facade, offer privacy and integrate the building with the site.
“Your first impression is that the house is very closed,” says David Barragán of the building he designed with Jose María Sáez in Quito, Ecuador. Stacked concrete forms, developed by Barragán and Sáez and used as planters along the front facade, offer privacy and integrate the building with the site.
The POD INDAWO prototype prefab home from South Africa—the name comes from an indigenous word for place—offers a sustainable, affordable solution to overcome the high barrier to homeownership.
The POD INDAWO prototype prefab home from South Africa—the name comes from an indigenous word for place—offers a sustainable, affordable solution to overcome the high barrier to homeownership.
The compact, custom bathroom. Currently estimated to cost between roughly $18,000 and $63,000 depending on options, the pod not only offers a choice of on- or off-grid living (with the installation of solar cells), but presents a new framework for more local, sustainable housing, according to Almeida.
The compact, custom bathroom. Currently estimated to cost between roughly $18,000 and $63,000 depending on options, the pod not only offers a choice of on- or off-grid living (with the installation of solar cells), but presents a new framework for more local, sustainable housing, according to Almeida.
Within the small, bi-level dwelling of steel, wood and aluminum, a system of space and energy conservation govern every feature, from the white-and-mint exterior that reflects solar heat to the inclusion of a slim ladder to reach the upper mezzanine. Adriaan Hugo of Dokter and Misses incorporated custom piecework, as well as a foldaway couch and table, to make the interior feel as large as possible.
Within the small, bi-level dwelling of steel, wood and aluminum, a system of space and energy conservation govern every feature, from the white-and-mint exterior that reflects solar heat to the inclusion of a slim ladder to reach the upper mezzanine. Adriaan Hugo of Dokter and Misses incorporated custom piecework, as well as a foldaway couch and table, to make the interior feel as large as possible.
Durango Urbano - Eskema Arquitectos
Durango Urbano - Eskema Arquitectos
Durango Urbano - Eskema Arquitectos
Durango Urbano - Eskema Arquitectos
Durango Urbano - Eskema Arquitectos
Durango Urbano - Eskema Arquitectos
Durango Urbano - Eskema Arquitectos
Durango Urbano - Eskema Arquitectos
Durango Urbano - Eskema Arquitectos
Durango Urbano - Eskema Arquitectos
Durango Urbano - Eskema Arquitectos
Durango Urbano - Eskema Arquitectos
Durango Urbano - Eskema Arquitectos
Durango Urbano - Eskema Arquitectos
Durango Urbano - Eskema Arquitectos
Durango Urbano - Eskema Arquitectos
Durango Urbano - Eskema Arquitectos
Durango Urbano - Eskema Arquitectos
“In South Africa, a lot of the population live in backyard shacks,” says architect Clara da Cruz Almeida. “So why don’t we make it better and desirable?” The display unit features a glass side wall that gives a glimpse of the interior.
“In South Africa, a lot of the population live in backyard shacks,” says architect Clara da Cruz Almeida. “So why don’t we make it better and desirable?” The display unit features a glass side wall that gives a glimpse of the interior.
While the bi-level space gives the impression of airiness in a relatively confined room, those clamoring for more space can simply fold up the couch and go out on the custom deck, which the designers call the lounge, to rest under the retractable awning. There’s an easy expansion plan, too, since multiple steel-framed modular units can be linked together to create a larger, custom dwelling.
While the bi-level space gives the impression of airiness in a relatively confined room, those clamoring for more space can simply fold up the couch and go out on the custom deck, which the designers call the lounge, to rest under the retractable awning. There’s an easy expansion plan, too, since multiple steel-framed modular units can be linked together to create a larger, custom dwelling.
The architects wrapped the glazing around the corner of the living room to bring the landscape inside. The open-web trusses run continuously from indoors to out. A fleet of Modernica furnishings complement a Prototype Boomerang chair by Richard Neutra, a custom Moufelt industrial felt rug, and Circa50 butterfly chairs.
The architects wrapped the glazing around the corner of the living room to bring the landscape inside. The open-web trusses run continuously from indoors to out. A fleet of Modernica furnishings complement a Prototype Boomerang chair by Richard Neutra, a custom Moufelt industrial felt rug, and Circa50 butterfly chairs.

1,824 more photos