We’ve mentioned Ideabox several times over the years, and their new offering, the Fortino, has to be one my favorites.  The Fortino was on display at the Seattle Home Show 2, although, unfortunately, there was a huge pole at the show obstructing photos.  You’ll have to imagine the Fortino in a well-manicured, xeriscaped setting on the lot of your choosing.  Something like 30,000 people saw the Fortino in Seattle, and Jim Russell, founder of Ideabox, tells me the response was incredible. 

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Since we first mentioned Stillwater Dwellings in March, the new company has been extremely busy.  Not only have they lined up plans to build green prefabs in Portland (Or.), Santa Barbara (Ca.), and Healdsburg (Ca.), but they’ve recently completed their first prefab home in Bend, Oregon.  The company was kind enough to send us a few photos of the inside and outside, and the modern home is just stunning.

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Several months ago, we mentioned news that Studio Daniel Libeskind designed a modern prefab with the prototype of the prefab under construction in Datteln, Germany.  That home, more precisely a visitor center with conference rooms for the time being, was celebrated in an inauguration ceremony on September 29, 2009.  The Villa, a first in the Libeskind Signature Series of homes, is super efficient and uses minimal energy, despite its size. 

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Hot on the heels of acquiring Michelle Kaufmann Designs, Blu Homes has now announced the completion of their first home in Colorado.  Homeowners Michael and Nikki Fischer have moved into their custom Blu | Chalet, and they seem to love it (watch video below).  With a blend of smart design and energy efficient products, energy costs for the Fischer Chalet are expected to be about 30-50% less than a similar, traditionally constructed home.

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If you have a future architect or designer at home, you've probably started them out with spongy building blocks or something.  After that, you might move up to the wooden building blocks, and at some point, Legos will likely get a turn.  Maybe even a prefab playhouse like this would do the trick?  Modern Cabana, the same company that designed and built the Modern Cottage Idea House for Sunset Magazine, recently announced that they're offering this KIDDO Cabana in kit form for $1,500.

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