Prefab Architecture


Book Description

"Prefab Architecture . . . is beyond theory, and beyond most of what we think we know about pods, containers, mods, and joints. This book is more than 'Prefabrication 101.' It is the Joy of Cooking writ large for the architecture and construction industries." From the Foreword by James Timberlake, FAIA THE DEFINITIVE REFERENCE ON PREFAB ARCHITECTURE FOR ARCHITECTS AND CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS Written for architects and related design and construction professionals, Prefab Architecture is a guide to off-site construction, presenting the opportunities and challenges associated with designing and building with components, panels, and modules. It presents the drawbacks of building in situ (on-site) and demonstrates why prefabrication is the smarter choice for better integration of products and processes, more efficient delivery, and realizing more value in project life cycles. In addition, Prefab Architecture provides: A selected history of prefabrication from the Industrial Revolution to current computer numerical control, and a theory of production from integrated processes to lean manufacturing Coverage on the tradeoffs of off-site fabrication including scope, schedule, and cost with the associated principles of labor, risk, and quality Up-to-date products featuring examples of prefabricated structure, enclosure, service, and nterior building systems Documentation on the constraints and execution of manufacturing, factory production, transportation, and assembly Dozens of recent examples of prefab projects by contemporary architects and fabricators including KieranTimberlake, SHoP Architects, Office dA, Michelle Kaufmann, and many others In Prefab Architecture, the fresh approaches toward creating buildings that accurately convey ature and expanded green building methodologies make this book an important voice for adopting change in a construction industry entrenched in traditions of the past.







Developing with Manufactured Homes


Book Description

The most completely finished variation of industrialized housing is the manufactured home. Many people still refer to these homes as mobile homes, even though they are rarely, if ever, moved. Developing with Manufactured Homes illustrates how the manufactured housing industry functions & how the homes are constructed. It explains how developers can make use of the industrialized approach to building, in lieu of the increasingly cumbersome "stick" building process. Elementary concepts in land selection, acquisition, the public approval process, development & construction are not covered in this book, except to the extent that the use of manufactured housing would dictate a significant variation in practice as compared to building homes on site. The primary focus throughout the text is on fee simple development-merging the house with the land to create a singular title of real estate. Although the emphasis is on subdivisions, planned unit developments & urban infill lots as opposed to the development of land-lease communities, many of the subjects covered are applicable to all of the above modes of land use. This book is an indispensable guide for any builder, developer or student interested in taking advantage of the opportunities in manufactured housing development.




Prefab Housing and the Future of Building


Book Description

As we stand on the cusp of a fundamental restructuring of the housing and building industries, this book provides timely insights into the promise of prefabricated housing. The idea of a more industrialised approach to house building is not a new one: since the 19thcentury, designers, inventors, engineers, builders, developers, and entrepreneurs have all been fascinated by the idea of the factory-built, modular home. But international housing affordability crises, emerging technologies, and concerns for more sustainable building practices have given a new urgency to the need to transform building construction in the 21st century.Richly illustrated and drawing on historical examples and contemporary design studies, the book takes the reader through the foundations of prefab, leading up to a discussion of contemporary problems and opportunities. It includes a broad international survey of leading companies and their products, and draws on research from an international team of experts in the field. This book suggests a future scenario for industrialised house building that will both challenge the existing industry and stimulate the public imagination.




Builder's Guide to Floors


Book Description

Takes you step-by-step through all aspects of flooring and its role in home-building projects by providing information on hardwood, tile, carpet, and other types of floors.




Design in Modular Construction


Book Description

Modular construction can dramatically improve efficiency in construction, through factory production of pre-engineered building units and their delivery to the site either as entire buildings or as substantial elements. The required technology and application are developing rapidly, but design is still in its infancy. Good design requires a knowledge of modular production, installation and interface issues and also an understanding of the economics and client-related benefits which influence design decisions. Looking at eight recent projects, along with background information, this guide gives you coverage of: generic types of module and their application vertical loading, stability and robustness dimensional and spacial planning hybrid construction cladding, services and building physics fire safety and thermal and acoustic performance logistical aspects – such as transport, tolerances and safe installation. A valuable guide for professionals and a thorough introduction for advanced students.




Housing 2.0


Book Description

Home is the ultimate consumer product. It has to be. We spend nearly 70 percent of our lives in our homes. Which leads to the "why" forHousing 2.0: Home is where life happens. Moreover, housing is one our nation's largest industries with a profound impact on our national economy. However, five crises are historically converging on the industry causing exponentially increasing pain. Housing 2.0 is about connecting the dots by identifying four market-ready innovations that will effectively mitigate these crises. In essence, it is a guide how to prepare for the inevitable disruption looming ahead.And it all begins by shifting the housing industry to a user experience optimization business model. Housing 2.0 uniquely serves this transitionwith an actionable framework for consistently delivering homes that meet and exceed homebuyer expectations. It includes:? 19 strategies for optimizing 5 key user experiences? 150+ proven user experience best practices? 400+ pages of meticulously organized content? 360+ citations supporting key findings and recommendations? Hundreds of charts, graphs, and illustrations? Eight thought leaders essays providing expert insights in key principlesAdapting the Housing 2.0 framework provides an opportunity to build homes with substantially greater user value at significantly lower cost.This finding is supported by detailed tabulations throughout the book and empirical case studies in the final chapter. But one warning. Housing 2.0 is a lot to take in all at once. Do not be overwhelmed by all of the exciting opportunities provided to optimize how we build communities and individual homes. Instead, every housing organization should be inspired to start getting on their own optimization path. One wherethey customize the comprehensive Housing 2.0 framework for their regional constraints and business constraints, and then start applying it to actual projects. Towards that end, all housing professionals are invited to join Housing 2.0 Workshops and Action Groups provided by Green Builder Media and to start their own journey to user experience leadership. Housing 2.0 is about homes where life happens better.




The Modern Builder's Guide


Book Description




The Grissim Ratings Guide to Manufactured Homes


Book Description

The first comprehensive consumer ratings guide to every manufactured home builder and their brands, with at-a-glance listings that provide key information home shoppers need to make an informed buying decision. All 79 U.S. builders evaluated More than 300 brands and series describedPlus, an annotated construction rating chart with 56 criteria you can use to evaluate any home'before you buyJohn Grissim's bestselling "The Complete Buyer's Guide to Manufactured Homes and Land" has been hailed as the definitive resource for navigating the tricky waters of the manufactured home marketplace. Now he has written a companion guide that takes a close look at every manufacturer and the brands they build, providing up-to-date, essential information together with authoritative, no-nonsense insights that have made him a respected industry observer and voice for the home-buying consumer. Each manufacturer's listing includes:Company background/historyStates where soldPrincipal market niche/target customerRetail price rangeWho they compete againstConstruction rating on a 1-to-10 scaleBrands and series describedDescription of a popular modelWhat distinguishes brand from competitionNumber of dealerships Warranty structureAvailability of in-house financing/insuranceWeb site rating and evaluationAuthor's commentsExhaustively researched, and containing much information that many manufacturers would prefer you not know, The Grissim Ratings Guide to Manufactured Homes not only tells you who's who in the manufactured home universe'enabling you to compare and evaluate their products'it will help you be informed, empowered and confident as you make the many decisions involved in the purchase of your new home.




The Grissim Buyer's Guide to Manufactured Homes and Land


Book Description

The authoritative consumer guide to manufactured homes and purchasing land or leasing a home site, providing up-to-date, essential information home buyers need to make an informed purchase decision. This second edition of the bestselling guide is completely revised and updated, including a new annotated construction rating table with 56 criteria you can use to evaluate any home'before you buy. In this comprehensive book, John Grissim, author of the best-selling companion resource, The Grissim Ratings Guide to Manufactured Homes, gives you everything you need to safely'and successfully'navigate the tricky waters of the manufactured home marketplace. He explains how the manufactured home industry operates, how to find a dealer worthy of your trust, how to make the right home selection, and, as important, how to be informed, empowered and swindle-proof. Exahustively researched, with extensive input from both industry insiders and consumer advocates, this guide contains much information that retailers, even the good guys, don't want you to know. In addition to clear step-by-step guidance in the home buying process, John Grissim provides up-to-date, essential information together with authoritative, no-nonsense insights that have made him a respected industry observer and voice for the home-buying consumer.