Here Are the Modern Prefab Designs That Amazon’s Investing In
Take a look at the prefabricated homes designed by LivingHomes, the company that established the Amazon-backed startup, Plant Prefab.
The world of prefab has been abuzz with the news that Amazon’s Alexa Fund is investing in Plant Prefab, a Southern Californian startup that builds prefab homes using sustainable construction processes and materials.
The company was originally established in 2016 as an offshoot of LivingHomes, a design and development company that’s built dozens of award-winning prefabs—including the nation’s first LEED Platinum home. After outsourcing their construction for years, LivingHomes CEO Steve Glenn explains, "We realized that if a factory was set up to turn out high-quality construction, it would solve our needs plus the needs of other developers."
LivingHomes is thrilled to expand their opportunity to design even smarter homes. "We are really excited to work with Amazon and integrate their great smart home technology into our homes," says Glenn. "Smart home technology is an increasingly popular feature in all our homes."
Below, we take a look at some of the modern, eco-friendly homes created by LivingHomes.
LivingHomes at Atwater Village
Location: Atwater Village, Los Angeles
Designer: LivingHomes
Size: 1,800 square feet | 3 beds | 3 baths
LivingHomes at Atwater Village was the company's first development project. Consisting of six town homes and an office building, all of the units are certified LEED Platinum—the first homes in Los Angeles under $1,000,ooo to be given this status at the time.
LivingHomes at Atwater Village is a part of a collection of six single-family homes located in the heart of L.A.'s Atwater Village.
Photo: LivingHomes
The interiors lead to a large, covered terrace through generous sliding doors.
Photo: LivingHomes
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Photo: LivingHomes
Custom LivingHome Near Beverly Hills
Location: Los Angeles
Designer: LivingHomes with architect Suchi Reddy
Size: 3,932 square feet | 5 beds | 4.5 baths
Built for actor Will Arnett and featured in Dwell Magazine, this steel-frame house is slotted into a secluded dell in Beverly Hills. For Will, LivingHomes completely reimagined its RK2 model—a design originated by legendary SCI-Arc cofounder Ray Kappe—downsizing the floor plan by 10 percent, among other changes.
This custom residence for actor Will Arnett was inspired by LivingHomes' RK2 model. About a third was built on-site, including a glass staircase tower and a guest wing (featuring a recording booth where Will can ply his trademark baritone).
Plant Prefab
Intrigued by the "smart, simple things" being done with modular housing, Will Arnett tapped architect Suchi Reddy and prefab company LivingHomes to design a house that merges the best of on-site and factory construction. The "Arrested Development" and "LEGO Movie" actor’s new home, completed in 2017, faces down a verdant canyon in Beverly Hills.
Photo: Miller Mobley
Near the front door, charred oak treads float on a blackened steel stringer to the master suite and on to the roof.
Photo: Miller Mobley
Custom LivingHome CK5
Location: Hollywood
Designer: LivingHomes
Size: 2,200 square feet | 3 beds | 2.5 baths
This home features a custom floor plan based on the LivingHomes standard CK5 design.
This boxy contemporary prefab in Hollywood was a custom-built for a client.
Photo: LivingHomes
The backyard gives a clear view of the modular construction.
Photo: LivingHomes
Bright interiors are thanks to high ceilings and ample glazing.
Photo: LivingHomes
LivingHome C6
Location: Van Nuys
Designer: LivingHomes
Size: 1,232 square feet | 3 beds | 2 baths
This home in Van Nuys is the first standard C6 model that LivingHomes completed. It is certified LEED Platinum.
The C6 is one of LivingHomes' most popular models. Coming in at 1,232 square feet, this LivingHome offers a comfortable living space for a relatively low cost.
Photo: LivingHomes
LivingHome CK5.4 New Orleans
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Designer: LivingHomes
Size: 1,550 square feet | 3 bedrooms | 2 baths
The CK5.4 New Orleans was the first home that LivingHomes completed with Brad Pitt’s Make It Right for their project in the Lower Ninth Ward. This home is certified LEED Platinum.
The CK5.4 was built with Brad Pitt’s Make It Right Foundation.
Photo: LivingHomes
Five solar panels line the roof.
Photo: LivingHomes
Photo: LivingHomes
LivingHome RK1
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Designer: Ray Kappe
Size: 2,500 square feet | 3 bedrooms | 2.5 baths
Designed by Ray Kappe, the first LivingHome was installed in only eight-and-a-half hours. It was the first home to be certified LEED Platinum. It was also the first home in Los Angeles County to have a permitted grey water system.
LivingHomes holds weekly, scheduled tours of this LivingHome in Santa Monica.
Photo: LivingHomes
The building was constructed with energy-, water-, and resource-efficient materials, as well as with materials and systems that reduced indoor air pollution.
Photo: LivingHomes
Shop the Look
Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Charles and Ray Eames had ideas about making a better world, one in which things were designed to bring greater pleasure to our lives. Their iconic Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman (1956) began with a desire to create a chair with “the warm, receptive look of a well-used first baseman’s mitt.” The result embodies what it really means to lounge. In continuous production since its introduction, this set is widely considered one of the most significant designs of the 20th century. Combining soft, inviting leather or mohair with the sleek form of molded wood, the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman is the culmination of the Eameses’ efforts to create a club chair using the molded plywood technology they pioneered in the ’40s. Even today, each piece is assembled by hand to ensure the highest level of quality and craftsmanship, and you’ll be pleased to discover the set gets even better with use and age. Cushions snap in and can be removed and changed. This is the authentic Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Herman Miller. Made in U.S.A.
ShopPhoto: LivingHomes
KT1.5 Newport Beach
Location: Newport Beach, CA
Designer: Kieran Timberlake
Size: 2,466 square feet | 3 beds | 2.5 baths
This model served as a show home at both the International Builders Show and TED before it was sold. It was the first home in Newport Beach to be certified LEED Platinum.
This four-module LivingHome was installed in just four hours.
Photo: LivingHomes
The 2,466 square foot, two-level home features three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths.
Photo: LivingHomes
Interiors were designed by Kristin Kilmer Design, Inc.
Photo: LivingHomes
Custom Home in Livermore
Location: Livermore, California
Designer: Toby Long
Size: 1,800 square feet | 3 beds | 3 baths
This single-level, ranch-style home was the first prefab that Plant Prefab built for the Northern California market.
Designed by Toby Long, this custom home was built by Plant Prefab and destined for a spectacular site in Livermore.
Photo: LivingHomes
Learn more about Plant Prefab and LivingHomes.
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