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The Top 10 Prefab Homes of 2022View 37 Photos

The Top 10 Prefab Homes of 2022

From modular units that become entire residences when assembled to tiny houses on wheels, these are this year's best-in-class prefabs.
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As the prefab industry thrives, designers continue to sculpt out niches in the still-burgeoning market and turn to prefabrication as resource for bespoke projects. From a bright CLT insertion into a brick-and-mortar London townhome or a glass-encased, one-room hideaway, let the latest in prefab expand your idea of what this technology holds in store.

Jens Risom’s Legacy Lives On at His Son’s Block Island Prefab

Following in the footsteps of his father Jens Rinsom, a celebrated furniture designer and pioneering prefab adapter, Tom Risom and his wife, Pamela Austen, built their own prefab home with an eye toward the future. "We took the plan that my father built and added 60 years of technology," says Tom. 

Following in the footsteps of his father Jens Rinsom, a celebrated furniture designer and pioneering prefab adapter, Tom Risom and his wife, Pamela Austen, built their own prefab home with an eye toward the future. "We took the plan that my father built and added 60 years of technology," says Tom. 

Tom collaborated with Maine design firm Go Logic to create a 1,700-square-foot prefab built to Passive House standards. Even with its advantages—a high thermal performance, airtightness, and maximal solar heat gain, to name a few—the home features white cedar shingles and a shed roof that keeps with regional vernacular, and, like the A-frame, includes plenty of glass to capture the stunning views off the rugged coastline and Atlantic Ocean beyond.

Tom collaborated with Maine design firm Go Logic to create a 1,700-square-foot prefab built to Passive House standards. Even with its advantages—a high thermal performance, airtightness, and maximal solar heat gain, to name a few—the home features white cedar shingles and a shed roof that keeps with regional vernacular, and, like the A-frame, includes plenty of glass to capture the stunning views off the rugged coastline and Atlantic Ocean beyond.

In a bid to capture the attention of city dwellers looking for a quick country escape, Hurley House is installing a series of Scandi-inspired prefabs in the Hudson Valley meant to give guests the feel of a private retreat. The 400-square-foot units are framed with light-gauge steel, insulated with spray foam, clad in wood composite boards, and built on chassis with axles so they can be wheeled in and out of place.

In a bid to capture the attention of city dwellers looking for a quick country escape, Hurley House is installing a series of Scandi-inspired prefabs in the Hudson Valley meant to give guests the feel of a private retreat. The 400-square-foot units are framed with light-gauge steel, insulated with spray foam, clad in wood composite boards, and built on chassis with axles so they can be wheeled in and out of place.

Designed by Moliving, each standalone unit is like a hotel suite. At the front is a deck, where an entry leads past a bathroom, into a living area with clerestory windows, and then to a wood-paneled bedroom fronted by a window and doors that open onto a patio with a lakefront view. Sleek interior finishes, like a blend of tile in the bathroom, and wood cladding around the mini bar, give it a refined feel. Rounding out the accommodation is a hot tub positioned to the side.

Designed by Moliving, each standalone unit is like a hotel suite. At the front is a deck, where an entry leads past a bathroom, into a living area with clerestory windows, and then to a wood-paneled bedroom fronted by a window and doors that open onto a patio with a lakefront view. Sleek interior finishes, like a blend of tile in the bathroom, and wood cladding around the mini bar, give it a refined feel. Rounding out the accommodation is a hot tub positioned to the side.

London creative studio Unknown Works has bookended brick infill terrace house with two semi-detached additions to provide "space for a young family’s creative pursuits, ensuring the layout could be adapted for hosting parties and intimate family gatherings." Designed as a kit of prefabricated structural panels in spruce cross-laminated timber (CLT)—chosen as a flexible, cost-effective, sustainable material technology—the additions were assembled on-site in just four days.

London creative studio Unknown Works has bookended brick infill terrace house with two semi-detached additions to provide "space for a young family’s creative pursuits, ensuring the layout could be adapted for hosting parties and intimate family gatherings." Designed as a kit of prefabricated structural panels in spruce cross-laminated timber (CLT)—chosen as a flexible, cost-effective, sustainable material technology—the additions were assembled on-site in just four days.

"The CLT panels have been insulated, coated in textural render, and painted a bold banana yellow to form a stepped rear extension and cubic front porch," says Unknown Works. "The yellow additions are tempered by gently rounded edges to bring a softness to their overall form, and stainless steel rain chains—a traditional Japanese guttering option—negate any visual clutter caused by downpipes."

"The CLT panels have been insulated, coated in textural render, and painted a bold banana yellow to form a stepped rear extension and cubic front porch," says Unknown Works. "The yellow additions are tempered by gently rounded edges to bring a softness to their overall form, and stainless steel rain chains—a traditional Japanese guttering option—negate any visual clutter caused by downpipes."

U.K. design firm Koto’s proof of concept for their new venture in architect-designed modular residences is in North Uist, an island in the remote Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The roughly 2,200-square-foot, four-bedroom home carries the company’s characteristic sculptural forms, jet-black yakisugi cladding, and Japandi aesthetic.

U.K. design firm Koto’s proof of concept for their new venture in architect-designed modular residences is in North Uist, an island in the remote Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The roughly 2,200-square-foot, four-bedroom home carries the company’s characteristic sculptural forms, jet-black yakisugi cladding, and Japandi aesthetic.

The roofs pitches align with the landscape’s different slopes, creating a sympathetic composition. The exterior is clad in burnt larch timber and features expansive glazing that embraces the views, timber floors, and natural stone details. Designed by Koto Living, a new branch of the firm, the interiors of the home reflect the studio's focus on natural materials and texture to create a connection between the house and its environment.

The roofs pitches align with the landscape’s different slopes, creating a sympathetic composition. The exterior is clad in burnt larch timber and features expansive glazing that embraces the views, timber floors, and natural stone details. Designed by Koto Living, a new branch of the firm, the interiors of the home reflect the studio's focus on natural materials and texture to create a connection between the house and its environment.

Designed by Manta North, this 516-square-foot guesthouse for visitors and family lies near the intersection of Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. The tiny home has a simple, archetypal silhouette with a rectangular form and a gable roof with hidden gutters that can either divert rainwater or collect it for filtering and reuse. The exterior is clad with cross-laminated timber, which the firm says offers a sustainable, durable, and precise alternative to concrete, metal, and gypsum. 

Designed by Manta North, this 516-square-foot guesthouse for visitors and family lies near the intersection of Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. The tiny home has a simple, archetypal silhouette with a rectangular form and a gable roof with hidden gutters that can either divert rainwater or collect it for filtering and reuse. The exterior is clad with cross-laminated timber, which the firm says offers a sustainable, durable, and precise alternative to concrete, metal, and gypsum. 

Inside, the home features a fully equipped kitchen, a bedroom, a bathroom, a guest area, a smart lighting system, heated oak parquet flooring, and plenty of windows. "The internal organization is a play between activity areas at the center of the volume, and uninterrupted passage along the perimeter," Saliņš says. "The living area and the bedroom are placed at opposite ends of the module, while the bathroom and the kitchen are in the middle as functional separators."

Inside, the home features a fully equipped kitchen, a bedroom, a bathroom, a guest area, a smart lighting system, heated oak parquet flooring, and plenty of windows. "The internal organization is a play between activity areas at the center of the volume, and uninterrupted passage along the perimeter," Saliņš says. "The living area and the bedroom are placed at opposite ends of the module, while the bathroom and the kitchen are in the middle as functional separators."

In collaboration with San Antonio-based architecture studio Lake|Flato, HiFAB has created two models for prefab "Haciendas." Though they might look like regular homes—allowing them to integrate into existing neighborhoods—these homes can be constructed on site in seven days or less. The Studio is a two-bedroom, two-bathroom home that starts at $249,000, while The Standard is a larger three-bedroom, two-bathroom home that starts at $375,000. 

In collaboration with San Antonio-based architecture studio Lake|Flato, HiFAB has created two models for prefab "Haciendas." Though they might look like regular homes—allowing them to integrate into existing neighborhoods—these homes can be constructed on site in seven days or less. The Studio is a two-bedroom, two-bathroom home that starts at $249,000, while The Standard is a larger three-bedroom, two-bathroom home that starts at $375,000. 

Both models feature the same simple, clean design language with a vaulted ceiling in the main living and dining area that aims to make the relatively small footprint—The Studio is approximately 1250 square feet, and The Standard is approximately 1875 square feet—feel spacious. The modular components can be arranged to create three different layouts, and clients also have the opportunity to choose tiles, paint, and other finishes.

Both models feature the same simple, clean design language with a vaulted ceiling in the main living and dining area that aims to make the relatively small footprint—The Studio is approximately 1250 square feet, and The Standard is approximately 1875 square feet—feel spacious. The modular components can be arranged to create three different layouts, and clients also have the opportunity to choose tiles, paint, and other finishes.

With sustainability top of mind, Dobrowolski and his team devised eESCAPE, a new line of all-electric tiny homes on wheels that can be powered with a standard wall socket, a solar setup, or an electric truck or car. The line’s three models include the eOne, the eVista, and the eVistaXL, which start at $43,600 and range in size from 200 to 350 square feet of living space.

With sustainability top of mind, Dobrowolski and his team devised eESCAPE, a new line of all-electric tiny homes on wheels that can be powered with a standard wall socket, a solar setup, or an electric truck or car. The line’s three models include the eOne, the eVista, and the eVistaXL, which start at $43,600 and range in size from 200 to 350 square feet of living space.

The three home designs, created by Architect Kelly Davis with a Scandi-modern aesthetic, are insulated with Greenguard gold-certified recycled materials, capped with steel roofs, and clad with sustainably grown rough-sawn wood siding with a dark stain. Inside, floor-to-ceiling white birch makes for bright, warm, and textured interiors. "We wanted them to reflect natural beauty, and to capture a greater sense of space," says Dobrowolski.

The three home designs, created by Architect Kelly Davis with a Scandi-modern aesthetic, are insulated with Greenguard gold-certified recycled materials, capped with steel roofs, and clad with sustainably grown rough-sawn wood siding with a dark stain. Inside, floor-to-ceiling white birch makes for bright, warm, and textured interiors. "We wanted them to reflect natural beauty, and to capture a greater sense of space," says Dobrowolski.

Starting at $32,000, the roughly 100-square-foot, one-room escape by MuuwSpace is distinct in its hexagonal plan: a shape that the company's cofounder Tommy Truup says they borrowed from natural patterns. "Beehives and carbon structures in human cells are the same," he points out. "It makes it seem like a larger space—we wanted to avoid the feeling of being boxed in."

Starting at $32,000, the roughly 100-square-foot, one-room escape by MuuwSpace is distinct in its hexagonal plan: a shape that the company's cofounder Tommy Truup says they borrowed from natural patterns. "Beehives and carbon structures in human cells are the same," he points out. "It makes it seem like a larger space—we wanted to avoid the feeling of being boxed in."

Three of the office’s six walls are floor-to-ceiling glass that deepen the user’s connection with the surrounds, whether that’s a remote piece of property or a backyard garden. "We use an insulated glazing from Saint-Gobain with metallic blue external reflection—it allows for privacy and has great solar control," says Truup. Customizable features include the interior finishes, heated vinyl flooring, dimmable ceiling lights, wall-integrated speakers, electrical sockets in the walls and the floor, and an air conditioning module.

Three of the office’s six walls are floor-to-ceiling glass that deepen the user’s connection with the surrounds, whether that’s a remote piece of property or a backyard garden. "We use an insulated glazing from Saint-Gobain with metallic blue external reflection—it allows for privacy and has great solar control," says Truup. Customizable features include the interior finishes, heated vinyl flooring, dimmable ceiling lights, wall-integrated speakers, electrical sockets in the walls and the floor, and an air conditioning module.

To fill what they view as a gap in the tiny home marketplace, Howard and Kevern have just rolled out Vika Living's first product, the Vika One. The foldable prefab—vika is Swedish for fold—features a 144-square-foot open plan with a living area, a bed that converts into seating, and a table that collapses into the wall. The program is rounded out with a full kitchen and bathroom.

To fill what they view as a gap in the tiny home marketplace, Howard and Kevern have just rolled out Vika Living's first product, the Vika One. The foldable prefab—vika is Swedish for fold—features a 144-square-foot open plan with a living area, a bed that converts into seating, and a table that collapses into the wall. The program is rounded out with a full kitchen and bathroom.

Aylott & Van Tromp has developed the highly customizable Nokken prefab cabin from the ground up to sell to hoteliers interested in bite-sized additions to their properties, or creating entire resorts anew. Anyone can purchase a single cabin, but Aylott & Van Tromp envisions clusters of them placed in remote settings to combine the experience of camping with the amenities found in a high-end hotel. 

Aylott & Van Tromp has developed the highly customizable Nokken prefab cabin from the ground up to sell to hoteliers interested in bite-sized additions to their properties, or creating entire resorts anew. Anyone can purchase a single cabin, but Aylott & Van Tromp envisions clusters of them placed in remote settings to combine the experience of camping with the amenities found in a high-end hotel. 

Wrapped in perforated metal and European larch stained a deep-brown color, the rectangular prefab includes an open kitchen and living space, a bedroom, a bathroom, and wall-height windows to take in a view.

Wrapped in perforated metal and European larch stained a deep-brown color, the rectangular prefab includes an open kitchen and living space, a bedroom, a bathroom, and wall-height windows to take in a view.

The compact row houses feature carefully angled solar panels that harness every moment of the sun.

The compact row houses feature carefully angled solar panels that harness every moment of the sun.

Metal stairs attached via wires allow an abundance of light to reach the first floor.

Metal stairs attached via wires allow an abundance of light to reach the first floor.

With an off-the-grid house on a remote mountain, architect Smiljan Radić rebuilds the past.

With an off-the-grid house on a remote mountain, architect Smiljan Radić rebuilds the past.

"We are still getting to know the house, becoming acquainted with and learning to inhabit the space. We see this as a life project, and we aim to spend more time here as we grow older," adds Antonio.

"We are still getting to know the house, becoming acquainted with and learning to inhabit the space. We see this as a life project, and we aim to spend more time here as we grow older," adds Antonio.

The self-sufficient Courtyard House embraces the bush landscape in all directions.

The self-sufficient Courtyard House embraces the bush landscape in all directions.

Sliding glass doors blur the lines between indoors and out.

Sliding glass doors blur the lines between indoors and out.

Michael K. Chen Architecture channels Le Corbusier vibes into a modular and multifunctional holiday home aboard the world’s largest residential yacht.

Michael K. Chen Architecture channels Le Corbusier vibes into a modular and multifunctional holiday home aboard the world’s largest residential yacht.

The custom dining table is paired with Mars dining chairs covered in Maharam wool by Konstantin Grcic.

The custom dining table is paired with Mars dining chairs covered in Maharam wool by Konstantin Grcic.

Handcrafted according to centuries-old technique, Estonian company Iglucraft’s shingled saunas and cabins are straight out of a fairy tale.

Handcrafted according to centuries-old technique, Estonian company Iglucraft’s shingled saunas and cabins are straight out of a fairy tale.

Inside, the cabins are wrapped in either aspen or spruce, with most of the timber sourced sustainably from Estonian forests. The same shingling technique used on the exterior is employed to create a layered, half-dome design at each end of the hut.

Inside, the cabins are wrapped in either aspen or spruce, with most of the timber sourced sustainably from Estonian forests. The same shingling technique used on the exterior is employed to create a layered, half-dome design at each end of the hut.

Assembled in just two weeks, the idyllic retreat near Woodstock, New York, realizes a couple’s dream of rural living.

Assembled in just two weeks, the idyllic retreat near Woodstock, New York, realizes a couple’s dream of rural living.

The kitchen countertops are soapstone and the faucet is by Axor.

The kitchen countertops are soapstone and the faucet is by Axor.

A designer couple convert three shipping containers into a 530-square-foot, solar-powered dwelling on their family’s farm.

A designer couple convert three shipping containers into a 530-square-foot, solar-powered dwelling on their family’s farm.

The living area, housed in the second container volume, features a vintage metal stove.

The living area, housed in the second container volume, features a vintage metal stove.

Ready for life on land or water, the net-zero LilliHaus is a plug-and-play prefab by SysHaus.

Ready for life on land or water, the net-zero LilliHaus is a plug-and-play prefab by SysHaus.

While the design is suitable for life on land, the owners of this one decided to mount it on a floating catamaran, which can be moored to a buoy or sailed at speeds of up to four knots. The tiny house, called Altar, is currently offered as a rental on Airbnb.

While the design is suitable for life on land, the owners of this one decided to mount it on a floating catamaran, which can be moored to a buoy or sailed at speeds of up to four knots. The tiny house, called Altar, is currently offered as a rental on Airbnb.

The Japanese "no-brand" masters of minimalism unveil the first single-story design in their line of prefab homes.

The Japanese "no-brand" masters of minimalism unveil the first single-story design in their line of prefab homes.

The model home is furnished with Muji's line of home goods.

The model home is furnished with Muji's line of home goods.

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