Don't Be Afraid of Prefab

From Trace Collaborative Intern Katie Truncellito

There are a number of trends that can be seen in the housing market today: (1) we see an increasing number of smaller (or occasionally referred to as appropriately sized) houses, (2) that people are finding it trendy to have green products in their homes (even though we know that individual products alone don’t lead to a truly “green” lifestyle), and (3) that LEED certified houses and neighborhoods are becoming more popular with communities.

Housing is a tricky topic in the U.S. The typical and celebrated “American Dream” is one of the contributors that has left our environment in need of repair. Maybe we don’t really need that 4-car garage and game room. Maybe we don’t actually need to separate our houses just enough to have a sliver of wasted green space so that we can call it a “single-family-home”. And maybe, just maybe, that imported marble countertop doesn’t need to come from Italy… maybe a recycled local product could be just as beautiful and a lot healthier for the environment.

Perhaps Marmol Radziner Prefab has the right idea. Many of you may get scared at the mention of prefab, but should we have to give up personal choices and good design when choosing a prefab house? According to Marmol Radziner, based out of Los Angeles, the answer is no… And this must be why they have gotten so much press, including a recent article at Dwell.com. Click here for the full article.

The idea behind the modular houses from Marmol Radziner is that factory-built houses can still be customized and unique to the individual, but still made with consideration to the site and environment. While the site is being prepared, the modules for the house are being made in the factory so that by the time the modules are actually brought to the site, the house is just days away from move-in. Other groups have been very successful at prefab design as well, though many of them are closer to the standard pieces-and-parts approach.

Why are Marmol Radziner Prefab houses a good option when considering the environmental impact of a new house? There are many answers. As with any prefab, because they are made in the factory and not on-site, materials can be measured accurately to reduce waste, and any scraps can be re-used. Also, since the modules are sized to fit a truck bed, the embodied energy of transporting is reduced since multiple materials don’t need to be brought from multiple locations. All Marmol Radziner Prefab houses are LEED certified (the level generally is dependent on the site). To view more about why this product is a good idea, click here to view their website.

The most important thing we can do is start to rethink our idea of the “American Dream” and what that means in terms of housing and the environment. Marmol Radziner Prefab has re-thought… and good for them for getting their thoughts and work in the public eye!