Marmol Radziner Homes (MRH) are factory-built volumetric modular units. Mr. Radziner states that the homes:

are created with the environment in mind and are built to make LEED certification.  Materials, methods and lifestyle is chosen in such a way as to have as little impact on the environment as possible.  For long-term sustainability, the module structures are made from recycled steel. The homes employ other green materials, including Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs), FSC-certified wood, low VOC Green Seal paint, solar panels, and more. Floor-to-ceiling windows capture natural light, while expansive decks provide shade for passive cooling and promote the best of indoor/outdoor living.

The MRH homes are componentized into house and deck modules which are each a maximum of 12’ wide and 55’ long. Modules are customized in the factory to include the materials, fixtures and other components the client requests. Each module is constructed of recycled steel and then a variety of sustainable material are used as infill panels. Other green materials are used such as SIPs, FSC-certified wood, bamboo flooring, copper siding, and low VOC green seal paint. These materials are all combined to produce a home that is well insulated so that when the exterior temperature is not within the human comfort range the house can be closed and minimal energy used to condition the space.

Energy efficient appliances are used to further offset the house’s impact on the environment. Equipment such as water heaters and HVAC equipment is chosen based on efficiency. Solar panels are an option and can be installed on the roof to offset utility usage.

MRH homes are highly customizable. Factory fabrication techniques are not said to limit the design and customization ability of the architect but does allow for minimized construction waste, recycling of materials, reduced site disruption, and allows craftsmen to work in one central area.

Prices for the house start at around $265 per SF installed but not including the site and foundation costs. Many options are available and the house can be customized so the prices can vary significantly.

Marmol Radziner estimates that it takes between 6 to 8 months to deliver the final home once the process is started. After the site work and house modules are complete the house is delivered and assembled in one day. An additional 4 to 6 weeks of final finish work is needed after the house is connected to the slab. Utilities must also be connected during this time. These times do not however include any regulatory or financing deadlines that may slow the process. The modules are designed specifically to conform to national highway transportation standards at maximum dimensions of 12’ wide, 55’ long, and 13’ high. Final checks ensure that no materials were dispaced during transport.

For more information please visit the Marmol Radziner Homes website.

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The FlatPak House is a factory-built house designed by Charlie Lazor. The house design is based on principles the designer acquired while doing work for his award winning modern furniture design company, Blu Dot. Furniture is of course increasingly being designed to minimize the cost of material, labor and transportation which are the major contributors to furniture cost. It is for that reason that companies like IKEA use systems where interchangable parts are packaged efficiently in “flat packs” for easy transportation. The modular nature to these furniture designs mean that specialized labor is not required. Borrowing from these ideas, the FlatPak House system is a “menu of components” designed to yield unique combinations and solutions to a clients needs at a lower cost, increased quality and on a predictable schedule.

The FlatPak House is not specifically designed to meet any sustainable goals. Instead it is economical in its use and careful in its selection of materials. The construction type does limit waste and reduce the amount of site disturbance. Also, the house is designed with large open glazing areas that encourage daylighting and natural ventilation. 

Production of the modular pieces takes place in a factory and then the flat-pack pieces are trucked out to the site for final assembly. The house is based on an 8’ grid. The designer and client have the option of changing the material, shape, and character of the building every 8’ in the building plan and elevation/section. The variations become an exercise in customizing the house the the client’s needs. The design process is estimated to take anywhere from three weeks to six months based on the clarity of discussions between architect and client. Manufacture and assembly of the house is estimated to take an additional 6 months after design is complete.

For more information please visit the FlatPak website.

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The LV Series home is designed and produced by Rocio Romero LLC. The design seeks to maximize livable space and minimize clutter.  The homes are factory-built as a kit of parts by Branstrator Inc. that is delivered to site as a flat pack by trucks.  Rocio Romero states that the homes employ the principles of minimalism to produce comfortable spaces that promote natural air and light.  The designer also emphasises environmental stewardship by conserving material waste, choosing efficient appliances and equipment, and using well insulated material assemblies.

The LV Series house shown here is only one of many variations produced by Rocio Romero LLC.  Design aesthetic, construction method, and delivery are similar for all models however.  Variations include multiple bedroom versions, garages, camp lodges and office buildings.

The LV Series home maximizes interior livable space by compressing all of the service functions into a bar on one side of the building.  The houses all have a standard width of 25’1” but vary in sizes depending on length.  The houses allow some degree of customization.  For instance three foundations are available: crawl space, basement, and slab on grade.  Exterior materials can be either galvalume or hardiplank/siding painted a variety of colors.  The interior layout is flexible as long as a 15’ span is not exceeded and one one 12’ structural wall must remain in the space for lateral stability. 

The LV Series house is very durable.  It is designed to meet both California earthquake regulations and withstand winds of up to 150 mph.  The roof is built up EFDM with layers of insulation sloped at 1/4”/foot and has an insulation rating of R50.  Exterior walls are rated at R38 and floors at R19.  Glazing insulation values are not given because they are owner supplied so will vary.

The house encourages natural ventilation through use of (suggested) operable windows, thin section, and high clerestory windows.  HVAC can be customized but a standard heat pump is suggested.  Lighting and electrical are highly customizable.  Fixtures must also be chosen separately.

The LV Series home is factory-built as a kit of parts.  It is packed as a flat-pack for transport on trucks for delivery to the site.  The structural frame is steel post and beam construction with 2×6 SYP stud framing with OSB nailed and glued to create rigid panels.  The insulation is not included.  Foundations must be pre-prepared and then house is assembled by a licensed contractor upon delivery.

General Description:  The Glide House is a factory-built modular home designed by Michelle Kaufman Designs.  The house is an example of clean simple modern living with an emphasis on both the internal and exterior environment.  The design is available in several different configurations which  are all based on common dimensions to facilitate factory-construction, easy transportation, and quick on site assembly.

The Glidehouse has large open spaces with big windows along one entire facade to create a sense of spaciousness within the modest dwelling.  Storage and utility spaces are cleverly built into a core strip along one edge of the building which further serves to emphasize the open living, dining and kitchen areas in the plan.  The storage space is also flexible to accommodate varied styles of living and frees the living area of the house from clutter. 

The house is available in one, two, three and four bedroom versions with an optional two story plan.  Buyers can also choose from several different window, door, wall, flooring, fixture, facade and roofing options.  These options allow a moderately customized house design to be made starting with a limited number of plans.

The Glidehouse is designed with fundamental “green” building strategies in mind.  The long shallow building form encourages cross ventilation and this is encouraged by large windows on the living side and clerestory windows above the service core.  The house does not come standard with any SPV, SHW, GeoTH, or WGR systems but all are available after consultation.  Further design of the house may be required to facilitate incorporation of “green” technologies.  Materials are chosen based on environmental criteria and the factory-based construction system maximizes efficiency of materials and captures waste while not significantly affecting the area adjacent to the building site. 

Construction Process:  Delivery of the house is streamlined to help create the simplest and most accessible buyer experience possible and increase predictability of product.  Step one is to obtain the land.  Step two is to get financing.  Step three is to meet with MKD and decide on the options needed.  Step four is obtaining engineering and permits.  Step five is production of the home by the MKD factory and preparation of the site.  Step six is delivery and buttoning of the house modules.  Taken as a whole the buyers experience, while not offering the tremendous freedom of designing a home from scratch with an architect, is scripted to be straightforward and prompt.

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Bo Klok, which translates to “clever living”, is a factory-built modular house design by IKEA which is currently sold in Sweden, Great Britain, Finland, Denmark, and Norway.  The house is desined to be extremely affordable to allow low-income families the ability live in a clean contemporary environment similar to the lifestyle marketed through IKEA furniture.  The Bo Klok comes in several different varieties which are all based on the same construction and delivery processes. 

 Shown here is the apartment building style of Bo Klok.  The success of the Bo Klok comes from their simple design, sturdy construction, social conciousness and low cost.  It is reported that 80% of the construction is done inside factories with erection of the apartment buildings on site completed in one day including stacking of modules, roof installation, and installation of the electrical system.  The low cost of the homes, which price in at around $14,000 for a one bedroom apartment, can be attributed to the factory-built construction system and to the material purchasing power of both IKEA and SKANSKA, a construction partner in the Bo Klok ecosystem.  The apartments come in one and two bedroom versions and every apartment includes a lawn, a patio/deck, and an apple tree.  The apartment also comes standard with a $500 furniture voucher to IKEA, 8’6” ceiling heights, oak flooring, appliances, hidden piping, central heating, light on three sides, choice of six wallpapers, and a free 2 hour visit by a professional interior decorator. 

 The apartments owners are selected from a waiting list and must fulfill a number of criteria based on income and family size.  There are some complaints about the socialistic approach to ownership but IKEA maintains that it is necessary for the development of a stable community.  Interestingly, homes once puchased cannot be sold on the open market.  They must be resold back to the housing collective as a means of maintaining control over the units.  It is reported that whenever a Bo Klok development is announced there is a rush for new owner applications and the waiting list is long which suggests that the concept is successful.

Bo Klok started in 1996.  It is factory-built at one of five regional centers.  The manufacturing process has evolved since it was started.  Originally the apartments were built as panelized wall systems but the process has now evolved into production of volumetric modules that are delivered to site and then quickly assembled.  It is projected that in the future the apartments will only be produced as volumtric modules and that the available product porfolio will grow.

For more information please visit the IKEA Sweden website.

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