Prefab

The natural aged cedar exterior is protected by a steel roof.

As Nicolás Tovo and Teresa Sarmiento of La Base embraced modular design as part of their architectural practice, they noticed that prospective clients were wary of prefabricated construction. So the duo teamed up with Place, an Argentine prefab builder, to make a proof of concept just outside the Patagonian resort town of Bariloche.

Warm wood detailing ensures that the concrete flooring has a natural contrast.

Blue Sky Building Systems worked with CB Architecture to create a modern home for a family of four in Orinda, California.

Both sets of panels slide open for maximum views and solar gain; in inclement weather, they shutter completely, while clerestory windows bathe the space in light.

“The name 'Unfinished House' refers to an aesthetic attitude…. Self-finishing materials were selected to reduce resources and reveal the building’s construction. Tile and plywood are the only added ‘finishes’; They cover areas with wiring and plumbing,” the architects tell us. “The building is an all-timber structure with cellulose and wood fiber board insulation. Many of the materials were locally-produced including the wood framing, plywood, corrugated metal, and wood cladding.”

- Santa Monica, California Dwell Magazine : July / August 2017

Base models of Dvele homes start at $250 per square foot, and range in size — the company wants its sustainable structures to be flexible to either small or large footprints.