6 Prefab Companies Building Sturdy, Resilient Homes in Florida

ByMyProperty Life

These companies build stylish and strong prefab homes that make the most of Florida’s balmy weather and stand up to storms.

A typical Lake|Flato Porch House can be completed in approximately 12 months with construction costs running from $300 to $350 per square foot.

Homes in the Sunshine State often embrace the outdoors with generous porches and layouts that encourage passive cooling—but they also have to be strong enough to withstand hurricane-force winds. Here, we take a look at several prefab, modular, and kit homebuilders that are developing exemplary homes that fit into the humid, warm temperatures of the southeast. Take a look below!

Ablenook Modular Dwellings

Launched as an architecture school project and later patented through the University of South Florida, AbleNook is a flat-pack kit home made from aircraft-grade aluminum framing and SIPs. The hurricane-resistant design can withstand 180-mph gusts of wind, and adjustable leg jacks enable it to adjust to uneven terrain. The flexible structure can be expanded with additional modules to serve as a dwelling, emergency shelter, school, or office. No power tools are required to assemble the modular homes. A larger, bespoke dwelling with a Smeg kitchen and spacious, skylit bathroom costs $65,000, with proceeds going towards production design for disaster relief AbleNooks. Deliveries are expected in Q3 2019.

Launched as an architecture school project and later patented through the University of South Florida, AbleNook is a flat-pack kit home made from aircraft-grade aluminum framing and SIPs. The hurricane-resistant design can withstand 180-mph gusts of wind, and adjustable leg jacks enable it to adjust to uneven terrain. The flexible structure can be expanded with additional modules to serve as a dwelling, emergency shelter, school, or office. No power tools are required to assemble the modular homes. A larger, bespoke dwelling with a Smeg kitchen and spacious, skylit bathroom costs $65,000, with proceeds going towards production design for disaster relief AbleNooks. Deliveries are expected in Q3 2019.

Read another article:Design Trends for Creating a Vacation Vibe at Home

Photo: Daniele Bortotto

SteelHomes

The Tulip model by Steelhomes is a 1-bedroom, 2-bathroom residence with just over 1,000 square feet of living space. Based in Miami, Steelhomes maintains a steel frame factory in Opa Locka and works throughout South Florida.

The Tulip model by Steelhomes is a 1-bedroom, 2-bathroom residence with just over 1,000 square feet of living space. Based in Miami, Steelhomes maintains a steel frame factory in Opa Locka and works throughout South Florida.

Courtesy of Steelhomes

Homes of Merit

Based in Bartow, Florida, Homes of Merit was established in 1973 and builds modular and mobile homes throughout Florida. Their homes typically include front porches, expansive outdoor areas, and modern, technology-forward interiors.
Read another article:Hot Trends: 20 Best Farmhouse Style Kitchens in White and Wood

Based in Bartow, Florida, Homes of Merit was established in 1973 and builds modular and mobile homes throughout Florida. Their homes typically include front porches, expansive outdoor areas, and modern, technology-forward interiors.

Photo: NOON Home

See the full story on Dwell.com: 6 Prefab Companies Building Sturdy, Resilient Homes in Florida
Related stories:

  • This Palm Springs Prefab Is a “Living Lab” for its Designer Residents
  • An Award-Winning Prefab Cork House Pops Up on the Banks of the River Thames
  • 7 Stand-Out Sustainable Prefab Firms in New England

Similar Posts

  • Auburn Addition and Remodel

    Built in the late 1970s, the Auburn house is reminiscent of the California Modern homes built in the mid-century. Located in an established neighborhood of mixed residential typologies, the house greets the neighborhood on the north street side and opens to a southern back yard perched above the North Fork of the American River canyon. The owners, who both work from home, asked us to develop a master plan for the property that included additional space for private offices, a guest bedroom, a workshop, and a future pool. Also desired was an extensive remodel of the existing house that update the home and improve energy efficiency. The two-story addition to the home is tucked into a narrow buildable slice of the parcel on the eastern end of the home. It optimizes the existing infrastructure and only hints at a bold modern form, from the street side. However, on the private south side, the addition opens dramatically to the inspiring southern canyon view from the second-floor office spaces. A second entrance is provided into the “creative” wing of the building – to allow work to occur with some separation from the activity of family life. The remodel of the existing home evokes the California Modernist moments of the building by creating smoother transitions between the interior and exterior spaces and updating the kitchen to create better functionality all while using sustainable materials that are expressed in an honest manner. The energy upgrades on this home focus on improving the envelope through meticulous air sealing, replacing all the existing insulation, replacing all the windows, and upgrading all the mechanical equipment. An oversized and outdated furnace was replaced with a high performing unit installed within a conditioned attic. Heating and cooling in the new addition will be provided by a ductless mini split. A roof mounted 6 kW photovoltaic system is expected to offset all the electrical usage for this mixed fuel home.