I’ve been talking with LABhaus, a new prefab company, about their affordable modular homes. LABhaus set out to create a progressive, modern home that mainstream consumers could actually afford. In the process, they ended up creating not just one home but three: Slide, Stretch, and ecoVilla. The models range in size from 1693 to 5071 square feet and in price from $199,900 to $649,000. Here’s what you can expect from a LABhaus home:
- Designed to LEED Gold and Energy Star;
- Advanced energy-efficient lighting packages;
- Icynene foam insulation for a tight envelope;
- High recycled content in key building components;
- Construction in minimum waste environment; and
- Optional 3 kW grid-tie roof-mounted photovoltaics.
LABhaus has agreements to manufacture these homes in 31 states through Indiana Building Systems in the Midwest and Sun Building Systems in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. The company also tells me development projects are underway in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and a model home should be open by the end of the summer.
If LABhaus comes through with their goal to provide affordable (but luxurious and modern), sustainable homes, they’ll be a hit with consumers. Check out the three home designs from LABhaus.
Rendering credits: LABhaus.
The home design is not really appealing to my particular tastes, but the idea is great anyway. Maybe in the future there will be some nice pictures of the inside. I would like to see what features it would have if it’s going to be modern and affordable.
Finish Werks, a green builder in Maryland, is now partnering with LABhaus to offer their eco designs in the Washington/Baltimore metro area.
I agree with Portland Real Estate’s comments about taste, but that is just my particular taste. I wish them well. The more of these green prefab builders that do well in the housing industry, the better for housing costs and the environment.