Architecture

Gallery: The prettiest prefabricated homes

Gallery: The prettiest prefabricated homes
Portuguese prefabricated housing firm Mima Housing's Mima Light features a mirrored base section that makes it appear to float in mid-air
Portuguese prefabricated housing firm Mima Housing's Mima Light features a mirrored base section that makes it appear to float in mid-air
View 64 Images
The Pulkabacken home by Street Monkey Architects in Värmdö, Sweden, featuring a large, grass-covered ground-to-roof slope that provides privacy and can be used for sledding in the snow
1/64
The Pulkabacken home by Street Monkey Architects in Värmdö, Sweden, featuring a large, grass-covered ground-to-roof slope that provides privacy and can be used for sledding in the snow
The Pulkabacken home by Street Monkey Architects in Värmdö, Sweden, featuring a large, grass-covered ground-to-roof slope that provides privacy and can be used for sledding in the snow
2/64
The Pulkabacken home by Street Monkey Architects in Värmdö, Sweden, featuring a large, grass-covered ground-to-roof slope that provides privacy and can be used for sledding in the snow
The Pulkabacken home by Street Monkey Architects in Värmdö, Sweden. The 200 sq m (2,152 sq ft) dwelling was built using prefabricated steel and concrete modules
3/64
The Pulkabacken home by Street Monkey Architects in Värmdö, Sweden. The 200 sq m (2,152 sq ft) dwelling was built using prefabricated steel and concrete modules
Inside the Pulkabacken home by Street Monkey Architects in Värmdö, Sweden
4/64
Inside the Pulkabacken home by Street Monkey Architects in Värmdö, Sweden 
The single-story Schoolmasters prefab home in Scotland comprises a total floorspace of 195 sq m (2,098 sq ft), and features four bedrooms and three bathrooms
5/64
The single-story Schoolmasters prefab home in Scotland comprises a total floorspace of 195 sq m (2,098 sq ft), and features four bedrooms and three bathrooms
Inside the single-story Schoolmasters prefab home in Scotland
6/64
Inside the single-story Schoolmasters prefab home in Scotland 
Inside the single-story Schoolmasters prefab home in Scotland
7/64
Inside the single-story Schoolmasters prefab home in Scotland 
The single-story Schoolmasters prefab home in Scotland comprises a total floorspace of 195 sq m (2,098 sq ft), and features four bedrooms and three bathrooms
8/64
The single-story Schoolmasters prefab home in Scotland comprises a total floorspace of 195 sq m (2,098 sq ft), and features four bedrooms and three bathrooms
The Heijmans ONE by Dutch construction firm Heijmans was imagined as prefab dwelling for young professionals
9/64
The Heijmans ONE by Dutch construction firm Heijmans was imagined as prefab dwelling for young professionals
The Heijmans ONE by Dutch construction firm Heijmans was imagined as prefab dwelling for young professionals
10/64
The Heijmans ONE by Dutch construction firm Heijmans was imagined as prefab dwelling for young professionals
The Heijmans ONE by Dutch construction firm Heijmans
11/64
The Heijmans ONE by Dutch construction firm Heijmans
Inside the Heijmans ONE by Dutch construction firm Heijmans
12/64
Inside the Heijmans ONE by Dutch construction firm Heijmans
The Montfort show-home from the Prefabricated Accessible Technological Homes (or P.A.T.H.) range, a line of prefab dwellings that generate significantly more energy than they require
13/64
The Montfort show-home from the Prefabricated Accessible Technological Homes (or P.A.T.H.) range, a line of prefab dwellings that generate significantly more energy than they require
The Montfort show-home from the Prefabricated Accessible Technological Homes (or P.A.T.H.) range, a line of prefab dwellings that generate significantly more energy than they require
14/64
The Montfort show-home from the Prefabricated Accessible Technological Homes (or P.A.T.H.) range, a line of prefab dwellings that generate significantly more energy than they require
The Prefabricated Accessible Technological Homes (or P.A.T.H.) range was dreamt up by designer Philippe Starck and Slovenian prefabricated housing specialist Riko
15/64
The Prefabricated Accessible Technological Homes (or P.A.T.H.) range was dreamt up by designer Philippe Starck and Slovenian prefabricated housing specialist Riko
Inside the Montfort show-home from the Prefabricated Accessible Technological Homes (or P.A.T.H.) range, a line of prefab dwellings that generate significantly more energy than they require
16/64
Inside the Montfort show-home from the Prefabricated Accessible Technological Homes (or P.A.T.H.) range, a line of prefab dwellings that generate significantly more energy than they require
Tree Snake Houses by RA Architectural and Design Studio
17/64
Tree Snake Houses by RA Architectural and Design Studio
A wooden walkway leads to the Tree Snake Houses, by RA Architectural and Design Studio
18/64
A wooden walkway leads to the Tree Snake Houses, by RA Architectural and Design Studio
A wooden walkway leads to the Tree Snake Houses, by RA Architectural and Design Studio
19/64
A wooden walkway leads to the Tree Snake Houses, by RA Architectural and Design Studio
A wooden walkway leads to the Tree Snake Houses, by RA Architectural and Design Studio, which are made from mostly natural and wooden materials and were prefabricated off site
20/64
A wooden walkway leads to the Tree Snake Houses, by RA Architectural and Design Studio, which are made from mostly natural and wooden materials and were prefabricated off site
The Surf Shack from Backcountry Hut Company, a Canadian firm that offers flatpack cabins that assemble "like Ikea furniture"
21/64
The Surf Shack from Backcountry Hut Company, a Canadian firm that offers flatpack cabins that assemble "like Ikea furniture"
Interior of the The Surf Shack from Backcountry Hut Company, a prefab home with an open interior layout and generous glazing
22/64
Interior of the The Surf Shack from Backcountry Hut Company, a prefab home with an open interior layout and generous glazing
The Surf Shack from Backcountry Hut Company, a Canadian firm that offers flatpack cabins that assemble "like Ikea furniture"
23/64
The Surf Shack from Backcountry Hut Company, a Canadian firm that offers flatpack cabins that assemble "like Ikea furniture"
Interior of the The Surf Shack from Backcountry Hut Company, a prefab home with an open interior layout and generous glazing
24/64
Interior of the The Surf Shack from Backcountry Hut Company, a prefab home with an open interior layout and generous glazing
The debut dwelling from the UK's Bluefield Houseboats, who uses prefabricated construction, energy-efficient design, and home automation technology in its houseboats
25/64
The debut dwelling from the UK's Bluefield Houseboats, who uses prefabricated construction, energy-efficient design, and home automation technology in its houseboats
The debut prefab houseboat from the UK's Bluefield Houseboats a single-story home with a total floorspace of 500 sq ft (46.5 sq m)
26/64
The debut prefab houseboat from the UK's Bluefield Houseboats a single-story home with a total floorspace of 500 sq ft (46.5 sq m)
The debut prefab houseboat from the UK's Bluefield Houseboats a single-story home with a total floorspace of 500 sq ft (46.5 sq m)
27/64
The debut prefab houseboat from the UK's Bluefield Houseboats a single-story home with a total floorspace of 500 sq ft (46.5 sq m)
Inside the debut dwelling from the UK's Bluefield Houseboats, who uses prefabricated construction, energy-efficient design, and home automation technology in its houseboats
28/64
Inside the debut dwelling from the UK's Bluefield Houseboats, who uses prefabricated construction, energy-efficient design, and home automation technology in its houseboats
Rendering of a prefabricated Green Magic Home, a quaint, vaulted house that sits beneath a covering of soil and vegetation
29/64
Rendering of a prefabricated Green Magic Home, a quaint, vaulted house that sits beneath a covering of soil and vegetation
When soil is added to a prefabricated Green Magic Home, its weight reportedly actually helps press the sections together, adding strength instead of creating structural stress
30/64
When soil is added to a prefabricated Green Magic Home, its weight reportedly actually helps press the sections together, adding strength instead of creating structural stress
When soil is added to a prefabricated Green Magic Home, its weight reportedly actually helps press the sections together, adding strength instead of creating structural stress
31/64
When soil is added to a prefabricated Green Magic Home, its weight reportedly actually helps press the sections together, adding strength instead of creating structural stress
Rendering of a prefabricated Green Magic Home, a quaint, vaulted house that sits beneath a covering of soil and vegetation
32/64
Rendering of a prefabricated Green Magic Home, a quaint, vaulted house that sits beneath a covering of soil and vegetation
The Wood Studio House in Sant Cugat, Spain
33/64
The Wood Studio House in Sant Cugat, Spain
Much of the Wood Studio House's structure was built using prefabricated timber sections
34/64
Much of the Wood Studio House's structure was built using prefabricated timber sections
Inside the Wood Studio House, whose structure was built using prefabricated timber sections
35/64
Inside the Wood Studio House, whose structure was built using prefabricated timber sections
Much of the Wood Studio House's structure was built using prefabricated timber sections
36/64
Much of the Wood Studio House's structure was built using prefabricated timber sections
These clever prefabricated box homes from London's Bert and May Group are also expected to withstand most weather conditions and come with a 10 year structural guarantee
37/64
These clever prefabricated box homes from London's Bert and May Group are also expected to withstand most weather conditions and come with a 10 year structural guarantee
These clever prefabricated box homes from London's Bert and May Group can be set up in as little as one day
38/64
These clever prefabricated box homes from London's Bert and May Group can be set up in as little as one day
These clever prefabricated box homes from London's Bert and May Group are also expected to withstand most weather conditions and come with a 10 year structural guarantee
39/64
These clever prefabricated box homes from London's Bert and May Group are also expected to withstand most weather conditions and come with a 10 year structural guarantee
These clever prefabricated box homes from London's Bert and May Group can be set up in as little as one day
40/64
These clever prefabricated box homes from London's Bert and May Group can be set up in as little as one day
The Kiss House flatpack home is a certifiable Passivhaus and can be assembled in four days
41/64
The Kiss House flatpack home is a certifiable Passivhaus and can be assembled in four days
The Kiss House flatpack home is a certifiable Passivhaus and can be assembled in four days
42/64
The Kiss House flatpack home is a certifiable Passivhaus and can be assembled in four days
Offering two, three and four bedroom versions, the Kiss House is built using cross-laminated timber (CLT)
43/64
Offering two, three and four bedroom versions, the Kiss House is built using cross-laminated timber (CLT)
Offering two, three and four bedroom versions, the Kiss House is built using cross-laminated timber (CLT)
44/64
Offering two, three and four bedroom versions, the Kiss House is built using cross-laminated timber (CLT)
The prefabricated foldable M.A.Di house by Italian architect Renato Vidal takes less than a day to install
45/64
The prefabricated foldable M.A.Di house by Italian architect Renato Vidal takes less than a day to install
The M.A.Di home is an economical flat-packed housing solution that is not only sustainable, but designed to last and withstand earthquakes
46/64
The M.A.Di home is an economical flat-packed housing solution that is not only sustainable, but designed to last and withstand earthquakes
Inside the M.A.Di home, an economical flat-packed dwelling that pops up in less than a day
47/64
Inside the M.A.Di home, an economical flat-packed dwelling that pops up in less than a day
The prefabricated foldable M.A.Di house by Italian architect Renato Vidal takes less than a day to install
48/64
The prefabricated foldable M.A.Di house by Italian architect Renato Vidal takes less than a day to install
The Disappear Retreat is a prefab, off-grid dwelling with a footprint of just 83 sq ft (7.7 sq m)
49/64
The Disappear Retreat is a prefab, off-grid dwelling with a footprint of just 83 sq ft (7.7 sq m)
The Disappear Retreat is a prefab, off-grid dwelling with a footprint of just 83 sq ft (7.7 sq m)
50/64
The Disappear Retreat is a prefab, off-grid dwelling with a footprint of just 83 sq ft (7.7 sq m)
Inside the Disappear Retreat prefab, off-grid dwelling
51/64
Inside the Disappear Retreat prefab, off-grid dwelling
A look inside the Disappear Retreat prefab, off-grid dwelling
52/64
A look inside the Disappear Retreat prefab, off-grid dwelling
Plús Hús is a 320-sq ft prefab home that is energy-efficient, modular home and won’t break the bank
53/64
Plús Hús is a 320-sq ft prefab home that is energy-efficient, modular home and won’t break the bank
Plús Hús is a 320-sq ft prefab home that is fully customizable
54/64
Plús Hús is a 320-sq ft prefab home that is fully customizable
Plús Hús is a 320-sq ft prefab home that is fully customizable
55/64
Plús Hús is a 320-sq ft prefab home that is fully customizable
Plús Hús is a 320-sq ft prefab home that is energy-efficient, modular home and won’t break the bank
56/64
Plús Hús is a 320-sq ft prefab home that is energy-efficient, modular home and won’t break the bank
The Archiblox Archi+ Carbon Positive House is a prefab home that produces more energy than it uses
57/64
The Archiblox Archi+ Carbon Positive House is a prefab home that produces more energy than it uses
Designer Archiblox says the Archi+ Carbon Positive House is the "world's first carbon positive prefabricated house
59/64
Designer Archiblox says the Archi+ Carbon Positive House  is the "world's first carbon positive prefabricated house
The Archiblox Archi+ Carbon Positive House is a prefab home that produces more energy than it uses
60/64
The Archiblox Archi+ Carbon Positive House is a prefab home that produces more energy than it uses
Portuguese prefabricated housing firm Mima Housing's Mima Light features a mirrored base section that makes it appear to float in mid-air
61/64
Portuguese prefabricated housing firm Mima Housing's Mima Light features a mirrored base section that makes it appear to float in mid-air
Portuguese prefabricated housing firm Mima Housing's Mima Light features a mirrored base section that makes it appear to float in mid-air
62/64
Portuguese prefabricated housing firm Mima Housing's Mima Light features a mirrored base section that makes it appear to float in mid-air
Portuguese prefabricated housing firm Mima Housing's Mima Light features a mirrored base section that makes it appear to float in mid-air
63/64
Portuguese prefabricated housing firm Mima Housing's Mima Light features a mirrored base section that makes it appear to float in mid-air
Portuguese prefabricated housing firm Mima Housing's Mima Light features a mirrored base section that makes it appear to float in mid-air
64/64
Portuguese prefabricated housing firm Mima Housing's Mima Light features a mirrored base section that makes it appear to float in mid-air
View gallery - 64 images

Prefabricated homes might be cheaper and quicker to assemble, but they come with certain limitations that don't impede traditionally constructed dwellings. Typically consisting of large housing components shipped to and then assembled on site, they don't tend to offer the same creative freedom when it comes to design, but as these examples demonstrate, that doesn't always have to mean compromised aesthetics.

When you picture a prefabricated home you might imagine a boxy structure, you know, a simple four-walls-and-a-roof-type scenario. And a lot of the dwellings featured here do indeed take that form, but we've also got houseboats, treehouses and hobbit homes that blend into hillsides.

When soil is added to a prefabricated Green Magic Home, its weight reportedly actually helps press the sections together, adding strength instead of creating structural stress
When soil is added to a prefabricated Green Magic Home, its weight reportedly actually helps press the sections together, adding strength instead of creating structural stress

There's also a Swedish home with a rooftop slope for sledding, a surfer's shack for coastal getaways and homes that cleverly use mirrors to disappear into their surroundings. And over the past few years we have seen designers begin to incorporate energy efficient technologies into the prefab mix, making for some homes that generate more energy than they require.

Jump on into the gallery to see this prefabricated eye-candy for yourself.

View gallery - 64 images
1 comment
1 comment
Douglas Bennett Rogers
It is best to go through a large developer to avoid being shut down mid-project by a disgruntled neighbor, and losing all of your investment.