The report's authors write that prefab and modular construction are on the rise as the "industry seeks to improve safety, productivity, quality, cost, schedule, and sustainability performance." In particular, they add, "Construction sites are greener due to less waste being generated, and safer due to working with assemblies and modules produced off-site."

We agree and are equally enthused about prefab's potential. So much so that we'd like to share with you our favorite prefab manufacturers and models and why we're fans. Let's get started.

Plant Prefab 

The company, based in Rialto, CA, is the first custom modular and panelized home builder dedicated to sustainable building, materials, processes, and operations to achieve B Corporation certification. "As a socially responsible business, we've always been committed to wedding purpose and profit in our work," said Steve Glenn, founder, and CEO, in a press release.

They went on to say that they used the US Green Building Council's (USGBCs) LEED program for many years to secure third-party verification of their sustainability and performance. They consider B Lab to be an equivalent authority to measure the company's impact. They have an extremely comprehensive process and require that companies undergo verification every three years to maintain compliance.

Moreover, Plant Prefab believes "everyone deserves to live in a well-designed, beautiful, functional, and healthy home. We believe that you should never have to sacrifice form for function, aesthetics for efficiency, or style for sustainability." In partnership with architects, including Douglas W. Burdge, Brooks + Scarpa, Ray Kappe, and Geoffrey Warner at Alchemy Architects, Plant Prefab manufactures an array of modern sustainable prefabs, including Alchemy's lightHouse ADU (accessory dwelling unit).

In February 2020, the company debuted its own ADU, LivingHome 10, during Modernism Week in Palm Springs, CA., designed and built according to Plant Prefab's Z6 environmental health and sustainability framework. The company also offers larger homes through its LivingHome series, such as this one in rural Sonoma County. The home includes many sustainable features including:

• High-performance heating and cooling systems
• Energy Star appliances
• Smart energy monitoring
• LED lighting
• Recycled high-performance insulation
• Drywall with a high recycled content that's also mold-resistant and non-combustible
• Low-flow water fixtures
• Solar-ready or net-zero design

Deltec

Well-known for its round-house prefabs, Deltec works with clients to achieve the level of sustainability they're seeking. Whether homeowners are simply seeking energy efficiency or aspiring to net-zero, the company designs homes that seamlessly connect the indoors and outdoor landscape. The prefabs are fabricated in a factory powered by 100% renewable energy. Based in Asheville, NC, the company also has a recycle and reuse program that diverts more than 80% of waste away from landfills.

Dvele recently announced DveleIQ, its five-step, smart-home approach to prefab. In a press release, Dvele pointed out that smart thermostats and integrated systems like Alexa or Google Assistant are Level 3: DveleIQ is Level 5. Matt Howland, the president of Dvele, said that they wanted to help push the industry forward. To do that, they built the first fully integrated, intelligent, software-defined home that complements their self-powered home product. The system includes 300 data feeds (via sensors) that measure VOCs, formaldehyde, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and other particulates and toxins that are immediately reduced through fresh-air delivery. 

Shelter Dynamics 

This California company innovated the Flex House, a small footprint, energy-efficient, factory-built smart house that’s cost-effective, healthy, sustainable, and delightful to inhabit. Designed by modular housing pioneer Jim Gregory, the Flex House includes:

• A 2.5 kW solar array (with optional upgrades, battery backup, and full off-the-grid capability)
• All-LED lighting with smart home automation control
• A mini-split heat pump HVAC system
• Double-glazed windows, and 
• R-40 insulation in the floor and ceiling and R-30 insulation in the walls. 

Urbaneer 

Inspired by homes they enjoyed in Europe, the founders of Urbaneer designed three modular home models (with more to come). All three allow homeowners to live large in 300 to 1,800 square feet—due, in part, to innovative convertible spaces. The Huron has a hidden wall-bed system. The Grand is a one-bedroom, two-level home with a movable-track wall system that easily converts rooms from one use to another. The Tioga started it all with its European-inspired design and the patented room-transforming innovations for which Urbaneer is now known. 

Pacific Homes

What's your style? Whether mountain modern, alpine cottage, ranch, coastal contemporary, Pacific Homes works with homeowners to design their home from one of Pacific's plans or with customization. Based in British Columbia, Canada, but available all over North America, the company uses its own Pacific SmartWall® System. The wall assembly is up to 128% more energy-efficient than traditional construction. It provides high and effective R-values for floors, ceilings, and walls. The system also reduces noise and increases air quality. We're especially enamored with an off-grid home built by one of the employees in Cowichan Valley, BC, an energy-efficient cottage on Vancouver Island. 

Linwood Homes 

Within Linwood Homes' eight model collections (which include ranch-style, post-and-beam, and modern homes, as well as cottages and cabins), are a wide variety of designs. Using prefabricated materials and paying close attention to site characteristics, the Canadian company also customizes its models to meet homeowner wishes.

Bensonwood 

A certified Passive House builder, Bensonwood takes sustainable prefab to a new level with its PHlexible Passive House wall system. The New Hampshire company utilizes its scalable, panelized building enclosure system combined with proper site orientation, square footage, and size and types of windows to achieve Passive House standards. In collaboration with LakelFlato and KieranTimberlake, Bensonwood has also created OpenHome with three models. Built to Passive House standards and without toxic interior finishes, the three models are also customizable.