Architecture
6 Fabulous Australian Prefab Homes
Step inside six pre-fabulous homes that give conventional homes a run for their money
Prefabricated (or ‘prefab’) homes have had a bad reputation in the past. But don’t feel bad – they earned it. For many years, prefab homes were a beacon. A shoddy beacon. You could easily spot their deteriorating timber cladding, box-like form and ‘living areas’ that made even a shoebox, in comparison, feel spacious and accommodating. But times have changed. One-dimensional has replaced five. Global warming is the new El Niño. And prefab homes are giving conventional homes a run for their money. Literally. High-quality prefab homes are now cheaper (and faster) to construct than conventional housing. And aesthetically speaking? Well, I’ll let the following images do the talking…
Inside, the modern decor and built-in furniture embody the quality of any architecturally designed home. The joinery in this home is a testament to the high-quality assurance standards associated with its in-factory construction.
“There are numerous advantages with prefab but the most telling are controlled environment construction and timing of completion,” says Christine McCorkell of Archiblox.
There are really no compromises in this modern breed of prefab. Look around to see if you can spot where the prefabricated modules are joined (hint: you can’t).
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“There are numerous advantages with prefab but the most telling are controlled environment construction and timing of completion,” says Christine McCorkell of Archiblox.
There are really no compromises in this modern breed of prefab. Look around to see if you can spot where the prefabricated modules are joined (hint: you can’t).
See more photos of this project
2. Musk Creek House by Modscape
Musk Creek House by Modscape is designed as two prefabricated modular units that are separated by covered decking. The modules were placed onto the site in a circular clearing, giving the appearance of being surrounded by forest.
The use of native branches as part of the front pergola add a unique touch, which makes the otherwise precision lines of the prefabricated units feel rustic. Combined with the charcoal grey exterior, the home disappears into its natural setting.
This impressive home was constructed for just $290,000, in less than two weeks, thanks to the efficiencies of prefabricated construction.
Musk Creek House by Modscape is designed as two prefabricated modular units that are separated by covered decking. The modules were placed onto the site in a circular clearing, giving the appearance of being surrounded by forest.
The use of native branches as part of the front pergola add a unique touch, which makes the otherwise precision lines of the prefabricated units feel rustic. Combined with the charcoal grey exterior, the home disappears into its natural setting.
This impressive home was constructed for just $290,000, in less than two weeks, thanks to the efficiencies of prefabricated construction.
The larger of Musk Creek’s two modules is the main living space with open-plan kitchen, dining and living area, master bedroom and bathroom. The smaller module is home to a studio and a guest bedroom and bathroom.
Apart from the practicalities of transporting the prefabricated units to site, this modular design has ecological benefits too. The home’s two modules can operate independently, meaning less space to heat, cool and clean! But when family and friends inevitably come to enjoy the home’s rural setting, they have enough space to accommodate everyone.
Inside, the use of sustainable timber flooring throughout and a wood-burning fireplace adds a sense of ambience and warmth, perfect for the heavily-wooded location and unusual for prefabricated homes of the past.
Apart from the practicalities of transporting the prefabricated units to site, this modular design has ecological benefits too. The home’s two modules can operate independently, meaning less space to heat, cool and clean! But when family and friends inevitably come to enjoy the home’s rural setting, they have enough space to accommodate everyone.
Inside, the use of sustainable timber flooring throughout and a wood-burning fireplace adds a sense of ambience and warmth, perfect for the heavily-wooded location and unusual for prefabricated homes of the past.
3. Cremorne Extension by ArchiBlox
Prefabricated construction isn’t just for new homes either – as ArchiBlox’s Cremorne Extension demonstrates. In fact, the benefits of prefabrication can really add up for renovations and extensions.
“The big reduction lies in the soft or holding costs, such as rent and financing. Homeowners only need to find alternative accommodation or arrange bridging finance for a significantly shorter, pre-defined period – several weeks instead of months,” explains McCorkell.
This custom-designed extension was prefabricated off-site and effortlessly connects the existing Victorian-era terrace with a new open-plan kitchen, dining and living area. Upstairs, a new master bedroom with ensuite bathroom cantilevers over the lower level to provide summertime shading and to break up the rear facade.
The rear facade is clad in left-to-weather timber and flat-sheet Colorbond steel – both hard-wearing materials that will age gracefully and a far cry from the poor quality prefab cladding of the past.
Prefabricated construction isn’t just for new homes either – as ArchiBlox’s Cremorne Extension demonstrates. In fact, the benefits of prefabrication can really add up for renovations and extensions.
“The big reduction lies in the soft or holding costs, such as rent and financing. Homeowners only need to find alternative accommodation or arrange bridging finance for a significantly shorter, pre-defined period – several weeks instead of months,” explains McCorkell.
This custom-designed extension was prefabricated off-site and effortlessly connects the existing Victorian-era terrace with a new open-plan kitchen, dining and living area. Upstairs, a new master bedroom with ensuite bathroom cantilevers over the lower level to provide summertime shading and to break up the rear facade.
The rear facade is clad in left-to-weather timber and flat-sheet Colorbond steel – both hard-wearing materials that will age gracefully and a far cry from the poor quality prefab cladding of the past.
There’s no telling this place was built in a factory and trucked to site! The interior design is stylish and modern. High-quality finishes fit the budget thanks to the cost-saving efficiencies of prefabricated construction.
Plus, a fabulous roof deck expands the home vertically! In spite of the narrow dimensions dictated by the site, there are several ‘break-out’ spaces to ensure the homeowners never feel cramped.
See more photos of this project
See more photos of this project
4. Salt Creek Rural Retreat by ARKit
Salt Creek Rural Retreat by ARKit highlights the benefits of prefabricated construction in rural areas where hard-to-access sites and sourcing skilled local builders can make a project prohibitively expensive.
Designer Oana Chirvase from ARKit explains: “For a rural project such as Salt Creek, the added advantages [of using prefabricated construction] include the cost benefits of competitive pricing from a large pool of metropolitan-based trades; reduced site management costs together with time and travel savings associated with coordinating site deliveries; and site-based trades.”
With the help of prefabrication, this project solved key problems of rural construction. Prefabricated panels were delivered and assembled on site. This minimised time on site to just four weeks, kept the budget in check by using more affordable local labour, and removed any transportation snags that can occur when moving fully assembled prefabricated units.
Salt Creek Rural Retreat by ARKit highlights the benefits of prefabricated construction in rural areas where hard-to-access sites and sourcing skilled local builders can make a project prohibitively expensive.
Designer Oana Chirvase from ARKit explains: “For a rural project such as Salt Creek, the added advantages [of using prefabricated construction] include the cost benefits of competitive pricing from a large pool of metropolitan-based trades; reduced site management costs together with time and travel savings associated with coordinating site deliveries; and site-based trades.”
With the help of prefabrication, this project solved key problems of rural construction. Prefabricated panels were delivered and assembled on site. This minimised time on site to just four weeks, kept the budget in check by using more affordable local labour, and removed any transportation snags that can occur when moving fully assembled prefabricated units.
The prefabricated modular panels have a distinctive size and shape. This is used as a design feature rather than drawback – creating a regular vertical rhythm in the small project.
Its price-tag of just $90,000 was only achievable with prefabricated construction. The price of having skilled labour on site would have broken the tight budget.
See more photos of this project
Its price-tag of just $90,000 was only achievable with prefabricated construction. The price of having skilled labour on site would have broken the tight budget.
See more photos of this project
5. Essendon Residence by ARKit
ARKit specialise in ‘Advanced Prefabricated Architecture’ and this second project – an extension to a Federation house in Essendon – demonstrates the benefits of using prefabrication techniques in house additions.
“A primary benefit of using prefabrication for a house addition is the reduced site build time. Through prefabrication, it is possible to fully construct the addition within the factory, with very minimal time on site for only those works associated with site preparation and inter connection with the existing building. This is a big benefit to clients who are then able to remain at their homes either throughout the works or are able to vacate just for a minimal period, such as a week, during the installation stage. Particularly on tighter, urban sites, this approach is much less disruptive to both the homeowner and neighbours,” says Chirvase.
Like Salt Creek, this project was constructed on site from prefabricated components due to the difficultly and expense of accessing the rear site with a crane.
ARKit specialise in ‘Advanced Prefabricated Architecture’ and this second project – an extension to a Federation house in Essendon – demonstrates the benefits of using prefabrication techniques in house additions.
“A primary benefit of using prefabrication for a house addition is the reduced site build time. Through prefabrication, it is possible to fully construct the addition within the factory, with very minimal time on site for only those works associated with site preparation and inter connection with the existing building. This is a big benefit to clients who are then able to remain at their homes either throughout the works or are able to vacate just for a minimal period, such as a week, during the installation stage. Particularly on tighter, urban sites, this approach is much less disruptive to both the homeowner and neighbours,” says Chirvase.
Like Salt Creek, this project was constructed on site from prefabricated components due to the difficultly and expense of accessing the rear site with a crane.
The use of prefabricated components assembled on site allowed for a heated concrete slab and creates wide, uninterrupted internal spaces.
A double height stair void connects the lower and upper levels and creates a light-well for the open-plan kitchen, dining and living area.
Thanks to prefabrication, this project was completed in just 21 weeks with the budget-friendly price-tag of $350,000.
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A double height stair void connects the lower and upper levels and creates a light-well for the open-plan kitchen, dining and living area.
Thanks to prefabrication, this project was completed in just 21 weeks with the budget-friendly price-tag of $350,000.
See more photos of this project
6. Smiths Lake House by Sandberg Schoffel Architects
Smiths Lake House shows us another approach to prefabrication. For this project, just the steel structure was prefabricated off site, with the remainder built by a local builder. This approach ensured maximum design flexibility, technical precision, eliminated the need for an on-site welder and saved time.
“The steel frame was made off site without any delays and was done while the site was prepared, resulting in reduced project time on site,” says Architect Michael Sandberg of Sandberg Schoffel Architects. This hybrid method of prefabrication also minimised damage to the heavily forested site, giving the builders a steady ‘platform’ from which to work.
“We needed very minimal footings for the lightweight steel structure, so screw-in steel piers were used to avoid any site excavation, saving time and avoiding damage to the site and surrounding trees,” Sandburg says.
Smiths Lake House shows us another approach to prefabrication. For this project, just the steel structure was prefabricated off site, with the remainder built by a local builder. This approach ensured maximum design flexibility, technical precision, eliminated the need for an on-site welder and saved time.
“The steel frame was made off site without any delays and was done while the site was prepared, resulting in reduced project time on site,” says Architect Michael Sandberg of Sandberg Schoffel Architects. This hybrid method of prefabrication also minimised damage to the heavily forested site, giving the builders a steady ‘platform’ from which to work.
“We needed very minimal footings for the lightweight steel structure, so screw-in steel piers were used to avoid any site excavation, saving time and avoiding damage to the site and surrounding trees,” Sandburg says.
Once the millimetre-perfect skeleton of the home was in place, the builder easily infilled the structure with interior and exterior finishes.
“The steel frame was erected very quickly on site, which allowed the house to be sealed with cladding, also steel, very quickly,” Sandberg points out.
This hybrid method of construction helped to overcome the challenges of working on an isolated site by reducing the time and number of trades required on the land.
Again, the results match those of any traditionally-built home, but once you consider the savings on time, money and resources, prefab comes out on top!
See more photos of this project
TELL US
Do you rate prefabricated homes?
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“The steel frame was erected very quickly on site, which allowed the house to be sealed with cladding, also steel, very quickly,” Sandberg points out.
This hybrid method of construction helped to overcome the challenges of working on an isolated site by reducing the time and number of trades required on the land.
Again, the results match those of any traditionally-built home, but once you consider the savings on time, money and resources, prefab comes out on top!
See more photos of this project
TELL US
Do you rate prefabricated homes?
MORE
The Pros and Cons of Prefabricated Homes
Inside the Box: Shipping Containers Transformed Into Unique Homes
14 Incredible Homes You Won’t Believe Exist
This stylish prefabricated two-bedroom home in Sorrento was custom-designed by ArchiBlox, an architect/builder team that specialises in designing and constructing sustainable modular prefab homes.
This home’s rich timber cladding is a far cry from the aluminium sandwich panel that graced the exteriors of last generation’s prefabs. Cleverly-designed recesses allow sliding glass doors to disappear – transforming an enclosed deck into a seamless indoor/outdoor space.
Large floor-to-ceiling openings, which were previously unimaginable in prefab construction, are another feature putting today’s prefabs on par with conventional homes.