Prefab’s been around since the beginning of the 20^th century in this country. The earliest house kit dates back to 1906 when the Aladdin Company sent its catalogues to enterprising do-it-yourselfers across North America. The more famous  Sear, Roebuck and Company sold about  100,000 prefabricated house kits between 1908 and 1940. Some of these houses are still up and standing, a tribute to good craftsmanship and durable materials.  They benefited from the assembly-line production model of the automobile industry. Mass production of housing parts meant  lower cost for the buyer.  After a decline due to the stock-market crash of 1929, prefab house production rebounded following the end of WWII, as returning veterans needed new homes.  Little by little, it simply became low-cost housing.

Twenty-first century prefab housing presents many new, fabulous alternatives. It offers recyclable options which standard housing can’t, such as converting cargo containers as steel-frame modules… pretty resourceful approach that Logical Homes, an affiliate of architecture and interior design firm DeMaria Design, can rightfully boasts. This new architectural fad is called shipping container architecture but if you don’t like the idea of living in a cargo container, then just a set of rough steel frames will work as fine. Both are very eco-friendly spirited: e-houses proudly feature Solar Energy system, greywater recycling (also called sullage), or even an organic waste composting machine. They meet the standards of major green building programs, such as EnergyStar, by integrating efficient technologies and using renewable materials. Finally, the factories where such houses are built generate less waste than traditional construction sites. Overall, its impact on the environment is lower and makes e-houses the preferred solution when it comes to sustainability.

Prefab housing is still less expensive than traditional housing. According to howstuffworks.com, buyers “can expect to pay 10 to 25 percent less for prefabricated houses over stick-built construction”.  That is because prefab home parts like windows and walls come in a standard, uniform size, so there is much less need for skilled workers . What about personality? You can have that too, as some prefab homes can be customized,  provided you can afford the increase in price.

If you are not ready for the big leap but happen to own a piece of land, why not start small with a shed or cabana in your backyard? For $29,000, kithaus.com will send you a 13’ W x 8’9” D x 9’10” H contemporary looking shed. If you are a bit tight on money right now, then try the 12’ W x 10’ D x 9’ H Standard Cabana, by moderncabana.com for $11,500. One last argument: remember, it’s transportable. You’ll never have to leave your home again.

You can find out more about container architecture and see pictures of the different stages of conversion-construction at: http://www.jetsongreen.com. Also read the Feb 2009 issue of dwell magazine for more information. Some e-housing companies to check out are Hive Modular, Envision Prefab and Resolution: 4 Architecture.

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