Collection by Charlotte Safavi

This Green-Minded Prefab Treads Lightly on the Earth

A smartly built modular home helps a couple save on energy bills.

After seeing Chris Pardo’s prefabricated modular housing online, a young couple approached the award-winning architect to adapt his Elemental Architecture Line to create a green house for them. The pair owned a two-and-a-half-acre lot situated on a hill in Cloverdale, Sonoma County, California. “The homeowners wanted lots of light, as well as a smooth connection between indoor and outdoor areas,” says Pardo, adding, “They also had a genuine appreciation for the scenery and topography.” The resulting, 2,300-square-foot three-bedroom house—constructed by Method Homes—sits compactly on the hillside, with a spacious 450-square-foot roof deck off the main living area. “By maintaining a detailed focus on situating the home correctly on the property, we were able to maximize natural light, take advantage of the views, and create comfortable open spaces, all while having a limited footprint touch the earth,” says Pardo. The homeowners, who write and publish from home for a living, are delighted with their new house.

The couple’s airy home office is situated in the top module. A linear desk on wheels sits in a bright corner with floor-to-ceiling, wood-framed windows that overlook the scenic city of Cloverdale and its surrounding countryside. The windows are made by Eagle Windows, with low-e and tinted glass. Easily operable lower windows help create cross ventilation on warm days, avoiding a habitual reliance on energy-guzzling AC.
The couple’s airy home office is situated in the top module. A linear desk on wheels sits in a bright corner with floor-to-ceiling, wood-framed windows that overlook the scenic city of Cloverdale and its surrounding countryside. The windows are made by Eagle Windows, with low-e and tinted glass. Easily operable lower windows help create cross ventilation on warm days, avoiding a habitual reliance on energy-guzzling AC.
Method Homes installed the sleek U-shaped kitchen, which features maple cabinets, concrete with fly ash countertops, and a sculptural ceiling-mounted hood. The open steel railing is an architectural detail added by Method Homes. Dining options include an eat-in bar, as well as a dining table made from reclaimed wood. Flooring throughout is made of certified green-strand bamboo, harvested sustainably, that contributes to healthful indoor air quality and is comfortable underfoot.
Method Homes installed the sleek U-shaped kitchen, which features maple cabinets, concrete with fly ash countertops, and a sculptural ceiling-mounted hood. The open steel railing is an architectural detail added by Method Homes. Dining options include an eat-in bar, as well as a dining table made from reclaimed wood. Flooring throughout is made of certified green-strand bamboo, harvested sustainably, that contributes to healthful indoor air quality and is comfortable underfoot.
An overhead ceiling fan in the living room also helps maximize circulation and save on energy bills. The expansive windows provide plenty of natural sunlight to warm the house in the colder months. A jute rug defines the seating area.
An overhead ceiling fan in the living room also helps maximize circulation and save on energy bills. The expansive windows provide plenty of natural sunlight to warm the house in the colder months. A jute rug defines the seating area.
Off the kitchen is an exterior bridge that leads onto a spacious 450-square-foot deck that can be used for entertaining. The roof deck materials include rain-resistant cedar wood planks, as well as a durable HardiePanel parapet with metal siding from Taylor Metal.
Off the kitchen is an exterior bridge that leads onto a spacious 450-square-foot deck that can be used for entertaining. The roof deck materials include rain-resistant cedar wood planks, as well as a durable HardiePanel parapet with metal siding from Taylor Metal.
The cantilevered office space above the garage is also underlit with exterior lighting between the driveway and the home. Landscaping is minimal, with native plants that require little maintenance. Water drains through a downspout onto pea gravel.
The cantilevered office space above the garage is also underlit with exterior lighting between the driveway and the home. Landscaping is minimal, with native plants that require little maintenance. Water drains through a downspout onto pea gravel.
In the rear, the master bedroom is visible in the cedar volume. The living room cantilevers over the lower patio, providing ample shade.
In the rear, the master bedroom is visible in the cedar volume. The living room cantilevers over the lower patio, providing ample shade.