There are quite a few companies out there that are marketing “prefab” but not all of them are designing and producing entirely finished products. Many projects we have seen appear to be partially complete and require quite a bit of on-site assembly, finish work, and so on. Some of that can be averted if your architect targets an “as complete as possible” approach.
Tips
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Prefab is Not Necessarily Less Expensive
It certainly can be, but as with any project it depends on the architect, the fabricator, and how everything is organized in anticipation of installation at your site. Your architect needs to be…
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Measure Twice, Cut Once
My dad always told me to “measure twice, cut once.” I think that is excellent advice for prefabrication projects, as well as for sustainable projects in general. It doesn’t mean…
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Think Smaller. Think Efficient.
Don’t target a prefab project and forget to adapt your wish list to fit the capabilities of the task at hand. A prefabricated house or commercial project has certain limitations, one of which…
Articles
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101 Prefab
Everything you wanted to know about prefab but were afraid to ask! We've tapped the brain behind popular web resource FabPreFab to explain the birds and bees of manufactured housing.
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Prefab, Proven
In January 2003, we issued a challenge to 16 architects: Design a modern prefab home for $200,000. Here’s the story of the house that resulted from that challenge—and what we learned…
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Prefab Parlance
From Kynar and Galvalume to SIPs, the terminology associated with prefab construction can be daunting. We asked a handful of architects and designers to help us build a prefab glossary of the top…
Products
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Prefab Prototypes: Site-Specific Design for Offsite Construction
A detailed guide to six different prefab systems, weighing the pros and cons of each and explaining how they work.
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K3
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Standard Cabana
Event
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Prefab Education Workshop
Join Ryan E. Smith, professor of architectural technology and author of Prefab Architecture, in the Prefab Education workshop on January 13th, 2012. Learn about the history of industrialized…
Videos
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Design Leader: Michelle Kaufmann
As part of our Design Leaders video series, prefab specialist Michelle Kaufmann shares her philosophy on sustainable modular construction.
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Contained
In a quest to create some private space in a soaring loft, two San Franciscans turned to shipping containers as a design solution. View the final transformation, which includes a teak-and-copper…
Dwell Collection
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Mapping Prefab
In just under ten years, dozens of prefab projects from all over the world have graced the pages of Dwell. We sifted through our archives to find some of our best-loved pieces, revisiting stories…
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I;m a follower of "Dwell" & have attended your shows in L.A. I'm seeing a few new "manufactured and modular homes" going into an area in So. California that is full of potential because it's right across from the beach! The park HOA (of which I'm one) are going to be buying their LAND and already I'm seeing the "new" designs come in. I see an opportunity for Dwell and/or other contractors & architects to showcase your products and talent. I plan to stop by your booth @ the Palm Springs Modernism Week & inquire if any of my ideas might be of interest. I'm a realtor in Palm Springs and also have contacts in the mid-century modern area here. Look forward to hearing from you! Regards, Nancy
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