Berkshire House - 3 Bedrooms 2,227 sf Modular Home, West Stockbridge, Massachusetts

Floor Plans
About Resolution: 4 Architecture

Project	Berkshire House
Architects	Resolution: 4 Architecture
Manufacturer	Simplex Homes
Area	2,227 sf
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2
Modules	6 modules, Butterfly Roof
Location	West Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Year	2007

Description by architects

Situated three hours north of New York City and two hours west of Boston, the Berkshire Mountains have long been a vacation destination for urban dwellers. This particular escape was designed for a Brooklyn couple and their teenage son for use primarily on the weekends throughout the year. Raised slightly above grade, the house sits in a natural clearing on the edge of a plateau, overlooking a steep drop formed by the Housatonic River.

Leaving the car behind, visitors enter the house up a gently sloping ramp, transitioning to a large outdoor covered space. Designed to accommodate a future screened porch, this entry threshold frames views of the woods, valley, and mountains beyond. The single-story main volume of the home, clad in cement board panels and glass, is placed perpendicularly to the two-story cedar volume. Similar to The Dwell Home, this 2,100-square-foot composition is also a variation of the Two-Bar Bridge in the L Series typology. Both have communal loftlike spaces that are wrapped in floor-to-ceiling glass, surrounded by trees, and flanked by decks. An upper bar of private spaces bridges over the large exterior space, forming a portal to the site.

Whereas The Dwell Home contains a carport under the bridge piece, the Berkshire House includes space for a future screened porch surrounding the house's main entrance. Similar to The Dwell Home though, this home responds to its climate and site with a roof deck, a butterfly roof to collect rainwater, and clerestory windows that face south in the Berkshire's northern climate to maximize solar heat gain. Utilizing the constant temperature of the earth, the Berkshire House is heated and cooled through the use of geothermal energy, increasing the sustainability factor beyond that of The Dwell Home.

Simplex Homes

Simplex Homes is a modern, technically advanced, nationally recognized leader in modular construction.

Simplex Homes management team is among the most experienced in the industry. Simplex Homes are among the largest modular industry employers in Pennsylvania but remain a family owned firm. Simplex Homes craftsmen are among the most skilled in prefabricated modular industry and many have been with the company almost since the founding of Simplex Homes over 5 decades ago.

Simplex Homes concentrates their efforts on building the highest possible quality modular structures. Simplex Homes build first homes and dream homes as well as architecturally significant homes and commercial buildings that range from dormitories to hotels, from professional office space to light industrial buildings.

Shift | House - 1,600 SF 2 Bedrooms Modular House by Palette Architecture, East Hampton, Long Island, New York

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Floor Plans
Installation Process
About Palette Architecture

Project	Shift | House
Architects	Palette Architecture
Manufacturer	Simplex Homes
Contractor	Cedar Knolls Homes
MEP Engineer	RAAD
Area	1,600 SF
Bedrooms	2
Modules	3 modules, 5 panels
Installation Time	1 day (+days of finishing)
Location	East Hampton, Long Island, New York
Year	2023
Photography	Jody Kivort

Description by architects

Shift | House is a 1,600 SF, new house for a family of four. It is constructed of prefabricated, modular components that were factory fabricated and connected on site. The design takes advantage of prefabrication’s economies in budget and schedule, without compromising on the overall design intent. These tools are deployed in a house enriched by its natural surroundings, and supportive of the family’s activities.

In the immediate aftermath of the pandemic, there was a desire amongst many New Yorkers to supplement their homes in the city with ones more connected to nature. A prior client asked us to design a second home away from their Brooklyn townhouse. They quickly settled on a tree lined subdivision in East Hampton, in relative visual seclusion from its neighbors. The house was to be modest in scale and budget, with an urgency to occupy it quickly.

Concurrent with the start of this project, we were navigating contractor shortages and long wait times on a number of our projects. We suggested prefabrication to achieve lower construction costs, an expedited schedule, and improved budget and schedule certainty. We embarked on a design process that worked within prefabrication’s limits, while pressing the fabricator to expand their offerings to meet our design goals.

Prefabricated Construction in the Residential Real Estate Market

March 2025

http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/remav-2025-0004

Authors:

Małgorzata Krajewska
Nicolaus Copernicus University

Ewa Siemińska
Nicolaus Copernicus University

Izabela Rącka
Calisia University - Kalisz Poland

Kinga Szopińska
Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology

Ivo Kostov
University of Economics Varna

PREFABRICATED CONSTRUCTION IN THE RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE MARKET

Małgorzata Krajewska¹, Ewa Siemińska², Izabela Rącka³*, Kinga Szopińska¹, Ivo Kostov⁴

1. Department of Geodesy, Spatial Management and Real Estate, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, 7 prof. S. Kaliskiego Av., 85-796 Bydgoszcz, Poland, (MK) e-mail: malgorzata.krajewska@pbs.edu.pl, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8541-2295; (KS) e-mail: k.szopinska@pbs.edu.pl, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2702-936X
2. Department of Investment and Real Estate, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, ul. Gagarina 11, 87-100 Toruń, Poland, e-mail: ewahsiem@umk.pl, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8885-0338
3. Institute of Social Sciences, University of Kalisz, ul. Nowy Świat 4, 62-800 Kalisz, Poland, e-mail: i.racka@uniwersytetkaliski.edu.pl, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2344-0901
4. Department of Business, Investment, Real Estate, University of Economics – Varna, 77 Kniaz Boris I Blvd., 9002 Varna, Bulgaria, e-mail: i.kostov@ue-varna.bg, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5623-471X
* Corresponding author

Abstract

Persistent housing shortages and escalating housing investment costs in numerous countries drive the search for technologies that enable faster, cost-effective housing development. Prefabrication technology has emerged as a promising solution, which enables buildings to be constructed in significantly shorter timeframes compared to traditional methods. This approach utilizes prefabricated structural elements manufactured in controlled factory settings, leading to a substantial reduction in the carbon footprint associated with the construction process.

This study focuses on two primary objectives: 1) Identifying the key factors for integrating prefabricated construction technology into the multifamily housing market, especially within the framework of sustainable development policies and the growing housing gap, and 2) Examining buyer preferences to assess their openness toward prefabricated construction in the multifamily residential market. Identification of the determinants of the implementation of prefabricated technology was carried out based on comprehensive literature review and critique of source documents. Additionally, buyer preference surveys were conducted among residents in post-communist Central and Eastern European countries (Poland, Bulgaria, and Ukraine).

$220,000 Four Story Four Apartments Prefabricated Modular Housing, Chile

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3D Renderings
Construction Process
About ELEMENTAL Architecture

Project	Chusmisa Housing Wildfire Reconstruction
Architects	ELEMENTAL
Area	252m² (4 apartments of 63m²)
Modules	8 prefabricated living modules and 3 prefabricated roof modules
Manufacturing Time	1 month
Installation Time	1 day (+5 days of finishing)
Project Cost	$220,000
Location	Viña del Mar, Chile
Year	2025

A year after the mega-fire in Viña del Mar and with only 26% progress in the reconstruction work in the area, the ELEMENTAL office and local authorities began the construction of a prefabricated modular housing project in one of the residential neighborhoods most affected by the catastrophe. It is a medium-density residential building with a modular metal structure that aims to serve as a starting point for other similar modular projects, in response to what is now considered one of the most catastrophic events in the recent history of Chile. The objective, declared by both Alejandro Aravena and the mayor of the city, Macarena Ripamonti, is that the technology and management model behind this prefabricated housing project serve as a precedent to deliver rapid and definitive modular housing solutions in emergency scenarios.

NKN-Softshell - Semi-Permanent Prefab Cabin with Fabric Roof and Walls, Allow for Easy Transport and Assembly

Floor Plans
About Nokken
About Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)

Project	NKN-Softshell
Architects	Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), Nokken
Area	18sqm (195sqft)
Outer Dimentions	4.2m (w) x 4.2m (l) x 4.6m (h)
Price	From € 18,950 / $ 22,500
Year	2024

Nokken and Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) collaborate on Softshell, a semi-permanent prefab cabin addressing the evolving needs of hospitality and residential markets. Combining architectural innovation with environmental responsibility, Softshell redefines mobile accommodations for eco-resorts, glamping sites, boutique hotels, and beyond. Softshell caters to a global shift toward experiential, eco-friendly travel, offering a low-impact structure that blends harmoniously with its surroundings. The lightweight sustainably sourced timber frame and recyclable canvas, produced in Spain, allow for easy transport and assembly in remote areas.

Ecocapsule - 10 sqm (≈100 sqft) Off-The-Grid Portable Home by Nice Architects

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Contact Info
About Nice Architects

Ecocapsule is an off-the-grid portable home designed by Nice Architects and offering an unmatched dwelling experience. With its flexibility, worldwide portability and immense off-the-grid life span it is suitable for a wide range of applications and purposes: from a tourist lodge or an independent research station to a humanitarian-action unit or an emergency housing.

Ecocapsule is a low-energy prefab home packed into a compact and efficient form. It merges a off-the-grid capabilities, compact volume and close to maximum energy efficient shape with the luxuries of a hot meal, running water and a warm bed.




Even though very small in size, each unit comfortably houses two adults. The efficient spatial layout design allows you to enjoy familiar convenience of usual homehold facilities in off-the-grid conditions. Hot shower, built-in kitchenette and toilet are luxuries of a hotel room that are now available for using in wilderness also.

Plenty of storage space can fit all your travel, research or sport equipment. Despite its small size each Ecocapsule unit is fitted with all basic and essential features necessary for a prolonged and comfortable stay without a need to re-supply or recharge.

Power

Ecocapsule off-the-grid portable home is powered by an array of solar cells complemented with a built-in wind turbine. High-capacity battery (9744Wh) and dual power system ensures that unit will have enough power during periods of reduced wind or solar activity. The surface of an Ecocapsule unit is covered with high-efficiency solar cells with 2.6 sqm of area (600W) and a retractable pole holding a wind turbine (750W) is further attached to the unit. This creates a system with possibility to harvest an energy that can support comfortable conditions almost year-round in many off-the-grid locations.

Water

External spherical shape is designed with optimization for the collection of dew and rainwater. Moreover, water from any sources can be cleaned and utilized by built-in water filters.

Dimensions, weigh and shipping

Sizes of Ecocapsule (HxLxW 2.55×4.45×2.25m/4.5m with extended pole) allow it to be shipped into a standard shipping container. No precautions or special preparations are necessary to transport the cabin worldwide. It can be towed, airlifted, shipped or even pulled by a pack animal. Weigh of the off-the-grid portable home is 1500kg.

Walking Robotic Off-Grid Mobile Home Concept by Encho Enchev

About Encho Enchev

Description by designer

This is a mobile vacation home concept. The house is meant to be for 2 people and a pet. It is fully functional and in theory should be possible to be built in the near future :) I am posting a lot of renders that present most of the features of the house. One of the things that is not visible in the images is the 4 deployable harpoons for additional stability in rough sloped terrain. The mechanical legs are equipped with 5cm layer of non-slippery rubber on the bottom. They also have 2 deployable spikes on each leg. The design of the interior is modern, high-tech and minimalistic. All the windows are using the "smart glass" technology. There are also traditional curtains for the old fashioned customers. The bathroom is situated in the middle of the interior (for privacy). There is a large storage space under the living area.

The "standart" version includes: 1 ATW / 2 mountain bikes / 2 shezlong / 2 terrace chairs + table / 1 emergency diesel fuel generator / 1 BBQ unit and additional supply and tool boxes.

Cheers!

Innovative Protective Enclosures: Enhancing Reliability In Harsh Industrial Environments

In the rugged landscape of industrial settings, ensuring equipment reliability is non-negotiable. Extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, or high levels of airborne particles pose formidable challenges. To shield sensitive equipment from these extreme conditions, conventional solutions often fall short.

This is where the role of protective enclosures becomes crucial. By erecting robust barriers against environmental threats, these structures keep your equipment operational, reducing downtime and minimizing maintenance costs. Understanding the workings and advantages of these innovative measures can empower you to make informed decisions about securing your industrial assets. 

Exploring The Versatility Of Fabric Buildings In Commercial Applications

Fabric buildings have transformed the commercial landscape, offering innovative solutions for diverse applications. Their versatility makes them an attractive option for many industries, from agriculture to manufacturing.

These structures provide numerous benefits, including cost efficiency, quick installation, and flexibility. Understanding the various uses of fabric buildings can help businesses make informed decisions about their construction needs.

Continue reading to discover how fabric buildings can meet the unique demands of your industry.