PreFab Home

by Michael Buchanan, Franklin Schmidt, Esther Schmidt

The Prefab Home looks at the emerging world of prefabricated or modular housing, and delves into how new advances are being made to create prefab homes in the popular and widespread Arts & Crafts style of the early twentieth century. When Michael Buchanan set out to find ways to build a house more cost-effectively, he turned to prefab construction. He wanted to pursue his dream without sacrificing his sense of style, all while staying within a realistic budget. What he discovered about the possibilities of cost-efficient prefabricated housing will astound and amaze anyone who thinks "prefab" necessarily means "double-wide!"
The book traces the home's creation from beginning design phases, through production at the factory, to placement and assembly onsite, to interior design and decoration. The whole process was filmed and will be featured as a special episode for "This Old House", to air on PBS this spring and then syndicate to other stations.
Chapters
· Framing a Setting goals and defining design aesthetics
· History of Modular Construction
· Vocabulary of Modular Design
· Design Recipe for a Pre-Fab Bungalow
· Updated Arts & Crafts Details
Michael Buchanan is the owner of Michael Buchanan Designs, a New York-based interior design firm that pairs European philosophies with practical and functional needs. He is also the owner of a popular antique store in the Pennsylvania countryside. His designs have been featured in Traditional Home and Better Homes and Gardens. Michael has been invited by Christopher Lowell himself to participate in a new feature next season, "Designer's Round Table." He can also be seen on HGTV's "Decorating With Style" and "Our Home."

Genres: Architecture

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 24, 2004

Reviews

[mad mags · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heavy on Design, Light Prefab/Modular How-To

"PreFab Home" is an interesting read for anyone considering building a home, prefab or not. In it, designer and author Michael Buchanan follows one modular house through the design, building, and decorating processes. However, if you know little to nothing about modular homes, you might be disappointed with the scope of "PreFab Home."

"PreFab Home" is divided into five chapters: History of Modular Construction; The Language of Modular Construction; Design Recipe for a Modular Bungalow; Updating Arts and Crafts Detail; and Creating the Look for Less. As you can see from the chapter headings, the book is as much about designing and decorating a home in general as it is about prefabricated/modular homes specifically. Personally, this came as a bit of a disappointment to me - when I borrowed "Prefab Home" from my library, I expected to find a guide that focused on modular homes: how to choose a dealer and a model, how the construction and installation processes progress, how to shop for a contractor and finishing crew, etc. Decorating a modular home is the same as decorating a stick-built home, so I didn't anticipate much design advice. I wanted to learn about prefab homes, and the title of the book IS "PreFab Home," so I didn't think that my expectations were unreasonable!

Buchanan does touch upon the issues unique to modular homes, including the ones mentioned above. But be warned: his discussion is usually superficial. This is certainly helpful for the merely curious, but if you're really serious about building a modular home, you'll definitely need to purchase additional books to guide you through the process. In many ways, "PreFab Home" is like a glossy brochure for the modular home industry: Buchanan spends more time trying to convince readers that prefab homes can indeed be Fabulous, and less time explaining how exactly you should go about designing, choosing, and building one. A noble cause, yes, but kind of pointless, since anyone who buys a book about modular homes is probably considering buying or building one already!

Also, because the book follows one home from start to finish, Buchanan focuses on one style ad nauseam: the Arts and Crafts bungalow. While he does offer some practical decorating tips that anyone can utilize, in many ways, "PreFab Home" reads (and looks) like an Arts and Crafts tribute album. This is great for fans of the period; not so great if you're less than crazy about frilly, cluttered interior design.

Overall, "PreFab Home" offers a decent introduction to modular homes for newbies. If you know nothing about modular homes and are curious, "PreFab Home" is a nice, light read. If you know nothing about modular homes but are considering building one, "PreFab Home" may or may not be helpful; there are some great photos, but not a lot of practical, hands-on, how-to advice. If you already know the prefab home basics and/or aren't an Arts and Crafts fan, pass this one up.

http://www.easyvegan.info/2005/10/08/...

[Bonnie Kaerie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this book hoping it would discuss different types of prefab homes available and compare the advantages of the different types. Granted this book is from 2004, so i knew it wouldn’t answer all my questions, but i thought it would be a good starting place. I found it disappointing for all the reasons mad mags listed. And let me add: the photographs are redundant and uninspiring.

[Ligaya · Rating 2 out of 5]

As this book follows one homeowner through the process of constructing his own pre-fabricated home, there is just his one perspective, his one house, so it lacks the depth that I was hoping for. Much of the book deals with decorating the interior and, at this point in time, looks very dated.