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Collection by Caroline Wallis
Editor’s Pick

An Eco-Friendly Prefab Assembled In One Day

Only 29 hours were required to install this “off-the-shelf” Seattle prefab home that packs a plethora of energy efficient features.

To assemble a house in a day is a feat in itself. Constructing a near net-zero energy house in a day is a major design/build achievement. The prefab firm Greenfab rose to the challenge with a variation of their 1700 Series model—packed with energy-efficient features—that came together in just one day (though required a few more weeks to finish minor details). Greenfab worked with the Seattle homeowners on every aspect of the project from finding the property to build on, to design and ultimately construction and home delivery. “In furnishing the home, our interior design, Modernous, worked to create a warm, comfortable and modern space that reflected the green-built philosophy of the home created by Greenfab,” explains Greenfab founder and president Johnny Hartsfield. The result is a modern eclectic four bedroom space which now targets LEED Platinum certification.

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The exterior features cedar tongue and groove siding and James Hardie panels. Due in part to smart material choices, the house is 51% more efficient than the standard newly constructed home and 61% more efficient than a typical existing home.
The exterior features cedar tongue and groove siding and James Hardie panels. Due in part to smart material choices, the house is 51% more efficient than the standard newly constructed home and 61% more efficient than a typical existing home.
The home incorporates ductless mini-split heating/cooling units—one in every room—that use inverter-driven compressors to provide exact control 100% of the time. This means each unit can target the rooms being used and not empty ones. Overall, this system can cut heating and cooling costs by 30% compared to traditional systems.
The home incorporates ductless mini-split heating/cooling units—one in every room—that use inverter-driven compressors to provide exact control 100% of the time. This means each unit can target the rooms being used and not empty ones. Overall, this system can cut heating and cooling costs by 30% compared to traditional systems.
As Greenfab explains, “Each bedroom is equipped with a wall-mounted, thermostat controlled, convection heater that intakes the ambient air in the room, warms it up and re-diffuses it throughout the room in a silent and consistent way. By using the existing heat in the room to maintain a comfortable temperature, energy and money is saved through this heating method.”
As Greenfab explains, “Each bedroom is equipped with a wall-mounted, thermostat controlled, convection heater that intakes the ambient air in the room, warms it up and re-diffuses it throughout the room in a silent and consistent way. By using the existing heat in the room to maintain a comfortable temperature, energy and money is saved through this heating method.”
Minimalist vintage furnishings such as the CB2 dining table and Eames replica chairs give the interior a unique Scandinavian-meets-Pacific-Northwest flavor.
Minimalist vintage furnishings such as the CB2 dining table and Eames replica chairs give the interior a unique Scandinavian-meets-Pacific-Northwest flavor.
“The homeowners are not afraid of bold color, so it was fun to highlight pops of color throughout the spaces,” says the architect. Here, Silestone and LG Hi-Macs countertops help brighten up the kitchen.
“The homeowners are not afraid of bold color, so it was fun to highlight pops of color throughout the spaces,” says the architect. Here, Silestone and LG Hi-Macs countertops help brighten up the kitchen.
One of the custom design alterations made to the original 1700 Series prefab kit is roof access by way of strand-woven bamboo stairs and a hatch. The top floor boasts three bedrooms and two baths, while the lower levels include one bed and one bath in addition to an airbnb rental space.
One of the custom design alterations made to the original 1700 Series prefab kit is roof access by way of strand-woven bamboo stairs and a hatch. The top floor boasts three bedrooms and two baths, while the lower levels include one bed and one bath in addition to an airbnb rental space.
Perhaps the greatest challenge of the project was trying to pack so many energy efficient features in under a budget. Not only does the bathroom feature NuHeat radiant floor mats but all water is heated with a GE Hybrid Heat Pump Water Heater, saving on heating expenses by around 67%.
Perhaps the greatest challenge of the project was trying to pack so many energy efficient features in under a budget. Not only does the bathroom feature NuHeat radiant floor mats but all water is heated with a GE Hybrid Heat Pump Water Heater, saving on heating expenses by around 67%.