Very few companies have been able to make an affordable, green home for the masses yet. When they do, sales are sluggish and the homes are usually discontinued.
The manufactured giant Clayton Homes introduced their modern iHouse and eHouse. The layouts were great and there were several unique features. The butterfly roof on the ihouse along with its optional rooftop deck, solar PV system, rainwater catchment, and separate studio were all great options that people want now – the problem was they still had the stigma attached to them.
Whether mainstream wasn’t ready for such changes or the companies just haven’t gotten the marketing right, they simply did not sell.
Fortunately, there are a few independent shops that are producing their own pre-fab designs successfully. Of course, their homes are not cheap, some start in the high $300,000 dollar range.
Still, their designs are great to see what works with the buyers, what features are best for green living and what architectural designs are most pleasing.
The chances are pretty good that a mainstream manufactured home builder will eventually get a green modern design to offer the mainstream market that’s still affordable.
Perhaps we can expect to see designs like these from popular architectural shops.
Michelle Kaufman is best known for her modern, green, airy and light-filled prefab designs. She is considered one of the most successful green, pre-fab architects and is a favorite of Inhabitant.com. She has designed several commercial and residential homes as well as parks and communities.
Blu Homes
Blu Homes is doing a great job at pre-fab design. Their infamous GlideHouse offers great storage, warm materials, and high ceilings. The home starts in the high $300,000 range.
BluHouse has a home called Element that starts in the more affordable $160,000 area. This home uses a folding system once it is placed on the foundation.
It’s fun to see the newest ideas for factory-built housing, whether manufactured or modular.
Of course, modular is more expensive than traditional manufactured homes. This is because they must meet both national and local inspections. There is also a ton of after-installation finish work that’s required on modular homes. This increases costs significantly.
Source
Thanks Houston! I would love to see/share them!
Mobile homes are earth friendly in the first place: less waste, cause less environmental impact, are efficient and cost effective. Buying a new “green” pre-fab is just showing off.
There are plenty of used already built “trailers” that do not need to add to the energy, material, labor and waste costs of a new green Mobile McMansion.
People love to feel superior though. If it’s made in a factory and has to be trucked to a site, it’s a mobile home.
Behold, the future. Sad that the mentality of 'the future' still sucks. "I'm better than you" is what the glamourous pre-fab houses–and their owners no doubt–are conveying, however subtle. How one embraces the glam while ignoring it's humble origins is beyond comprehension. SO: As people give up their mega-mansions ('cause they can no longer afford them; check out Hollywood if you've any doubts) and 'simplify' their lives (please; we've heard it only a gazillion times), they'll seek out the rage in less expensive yet still fashionable lifestyles. Michelle Kaufman will be so eager to design homes for the horse-and-buggy set (conveniently overlooking the fact that the six horses previously used to pull the grand buggy have been reduced to two)…dollars signs spinning and twirling in her mind as she signs off on yet another signature masterpiece (*ack* *gag*). Meanwhile, the tried and true will look, blink and laugh at the fools who don't have a clue–due to denial!–about how they really aren't living in a home that's any more grand than the lowly 'trailer'. We–current mobile home owners and soon to be owners–are the 'tried and true'. I'm laughing my butt off already as I imagine the rather snotty dialogue taking place between members of the 'fabulous pre-fab denizens' as they applaud their less-is-more lifestyle 'choices'. What? Bitter, me? Don't kid yourself upper crust siblings! Hahahahahahahaha! After all, I know the real score. 🙂