Prefabulous World

July 1, 2014

Koones's fifth survey of modular and prefabricated homes (after Prefabulous + Almost Off the Grid) goes international to select 50 green examples. A dozen homes are located in the United States and Canada. The author points out in her introduction that prefabrication has some advantages over conventional on-site construction: greater precision in assembly; less damage to the property; rapid structural erection; and reduced waste. Most of these houses are architect-designed and quite a few are retreats located in remote areas. Although some look boxy, they wouldn't be confused with mass-produced trailer abodes. These homes feature different types of prefabrication using a variety of building materials. Each structure is represented with floor plans, text description, and several pages of quality color photographs. Sidebars highlight relevant construction standards, certifications, and technologies. Contact information for architects, manufacturers, builders, and suppliers is listed in a resource appendix. It's unlikely these diverse designs will all be prototypes for either prefabrication or ecological living. Also, the touted cost savings of prefabrication are debatable. However, the book presents innovative dwellings, building systems and environmental equipment that are in use now and consuming minimal resources. VERDICT Ecologically conscious readers will be inspired.--David R. Conn, formerly with Surrey Libs., BC

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