The Tulane School of Architecture Green Build program set about to research, develop, and construct an inventive and experimental prototypical house.  A green house.  Made in a factory.  Specifically for post-Katrina New Orleans.  Students first researched everything from construction processes to materials selection parameters.  Above all, access to materials, affordability, and sustainability ruled the day.  In the end, Tulane Green Build came up with a design for a 1,200 sf home with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. 

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MetroShed, in collaboration with its Miami-based partner Cabin Fever, recently announced that it would produce a smaller version of the popular 16′ x 20′ MetroCabin in 2008.  The smaller MetroCabin will be 12′ x 16′, with prices starting at $17,460 (which includes flat-packed shipping and delivery).  The new MetroCabin features curved steel roof beams (or the straight roof package), Duro-Last roofing, prefab SIP walls, and premium heavy-duty sliding doors. 

And although the company’s MetroShed product is built with greener materials such as FSC-certified woods, I’m not sure if this one is.  That said, if you live in this, and this alone, I’d say you’re pretty green. 

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4/4/2009 Update: Logical Homes has officially launched!

Tonight, Dwell posted image of AEGEAN, a modern prefab made of shipping containers.  If my information is correct, Aegean is the first prefab from Peter DeMaria for Logical Homes.  The Logical Homes website is still in pre-launch with just a simple landing page.  Aegean was built inside the CES convention center for Olevia, a company that makes energy-efficient TVs.  Via Dwell.

++Logical Homes – Next Generation Prefab [JG]

Tonight, Michelle Kaufmann announced that her firm will participate in the "smart home: green + wired, Powered by ComEd and Warmed by Peoples Gas" exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry ("MSI") opening May 8, 2008.  MKD will exhibit a modern, green prefab on parkland just southeast of MSI.  The project has been in the works for a few months, and over the last week, they’ve broken ground and laid the foundation.  As rendered above, the full-sized mkSolaire will demonstrate the mk 5 EcoPrinciples: smart design, eco materials, energy efficiency, water conservation, and healthy living. 

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This is the miniHome DUO SE, which is basically the combo of an add-on and the SOLO 2008 version that was recently announced.  Starting at $149,900, it’s a well-designed home of 475 sf.  The DUO uses 1/10th the water, fuels, and materials, and 1/100th the electrical energy of a conventional home: it’s a net-zero energy home.  And as you can tell from the renderings, you can outfit your DUO with a stylish green roof and contemporary wrap-around decking.  Really, anything is possible with this little treasure home.  Small.  Stylish.  Green.  Affordable.  Looks like Sustain MiniHome is offering financing now on their homes, too.

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