It's no secret that Amazon has been moving into the smart home sector—in fact, just this month they launched over a dozen Alexa-powered smart home devices. So it really isn't much of a surprise that this week, Amazon's Alexa Fund—which has backed start-ups focused on voice technology—has announced its investment in Plant Prefab, a Southern Californian start-up specializing in building prefab homes using sustainable construction processes and materials. It's a new direction for the online retailer, and Paul Bernard, director of the Alexa Fund, expressed his excitement in a statement: "We're thrilled to support [Plant Prefab] as they make sustainable, connected homes more accessible to customers and developers."

Plant Prefab constructs the modules that become their prefab homes at their 62,000-square-foot facility in Rialto, California, before shipping the parts to the build site. Site work is performed while the home undergoes construction, saving substantial build time and minimizing neighborhood disruptions. The company also teams up with select design partners to create high-quality, custom projects. Scroll ahead to take a look at some of the homes the SoCal prefab builder is currently making.

A Modern Barnhouse in Oakland

AD1: The Versatile Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)

LivingHomes, C6-Van Nuys

Plant Prefab Napa Home

Palo Alto Prefab

Multi-Family Residence in Berkeley

For more information, check out the Plant Prefab website.

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Amazon Joins Forces With Plant Prefab, a Smart Housing Startup