Prefabulous for Everyone

Description

Prefabrication’s time has come. Koones showcases 24 examples of environmentally friendly, cost-effective houses built wholly or partially off-site. Prefabricated housing is a practical solution since it is faster to build, less expensive than site-built houses, and potentially more energy efficient—all aspects that are attractive to homeowners. According to manufacturers, they are seeing the trend for house size coming down but with higher quality amenities. Sheri Koones has authored a series of five prefabulous books; this one is her sixth. She includes a variety of prefab homes from small to large, including modular, SIPS (structural insulated panels), panelized, and kit built. The houses are from a range of locations across the United States and Canada. Koones includes luxurious, expensive houses as well as some modest, lower-cost homes. She includes two houses that replaced homes that burned down in the California fires. There are several ADUs (accessory dwelling units). The prefab manufacturers have changed in many cases since she wrote her last Prefabulous book in 2016. Although this book includes some of the best older companies, it also includes houses built by new, up-and-coming manufacturers. Homes are in: Ulster County, New York New York, New York Burlington Vermont Dorset. Vermont Pioneertown, California Los Angeles, California Santa Rosa, California Malibu, California Vancouver British Columbia Orillia, Ontario Fraser, Colorado Denver, Colorado Newburg, Oregon San Juan Islands, Washington Seattle, Washington Las Vegas, Nevada St. Johns, Virgin Islands Milwaukee, Wisconsin Houston, Texas Scarborough, Maine Review: Three Books in One! - Some authors become dependable and consistent. Sheri Koones only gets better! Back in the 90s as an architect interested in factory delivery, I was directed to Koone's first foray into writing - PreFabulous! It was not a big-budget book but it was the only one out there and it delivered the goods on a dime. Originally, the emphasis was on affordability and ease of construction. Over the years, however, Ms. Koones has expanded her focus to include residential design, energy conservation, environmental conservancy, and small-footprint architecture. In this latest offering, the collection of small, tiny and not-too-big homes are all environmentally sound, site specific and factory delivered. Of course the photographs are stunning but she also provides the floorplans and all the products that make the homes distinctive. Above all, Koones has actually interviewed the factories where each home was manufactured. Many architects and builders have experience with prefab systems, factory delivery and energy efficiency but perhaps no one has the breadth of understanding for this residential venue like Sheri Koones. Review: Great Reference - Great addition to the library if you’re looking at options to a traditional stick house.