The Koto Piha is a 4 bedroom/3 bath home, 1950 square feet. It has two courtyards that connects the … [+]
Rendering courtesy of Plant Prefab
Plant Prefab, a very energy efficient prefab builder in CA has teamed up with Koto from the United Kingdom to design and build modular homes – within a 500 mile radius of their plant in southern CA. The company, however, claims they will be adding additional factories in the near future that will allow them to serve clients throughout CA, and beyond.
The collaboration has currently produced two home designs – Koto Phila and Koto Yksi – both with a Scandinavian minimalist esthetic. They were designed to limit the boundaries between the interior and exterior areas of the house, with a large amount of glazing and multiple decks, allowing for natural ventilation and indoor/outdoor living.
The interior of the Koto Piha has an open living space, bracketed by two courtyards that provide … [+]
Rendering courtesy of Plant prefab
When the houses are purchased and the location selected, they will be set taking optimal advantage of solar energy. Each house will be built to net-zerostandards, meaning they will create as much energy as they use. The homes will be built to the local destination climate. For example, triple panel windows will be installed in mountain climates, but not in Southern CA where they are not necessary.
The houses will also be built with energy efficient heating and cooling systems. Multiple HVAC design packages will be based on the climate zones where the houses will be set. The houses include hydronic radiant for cool climates with no AC, and mini split ductless heating/cooling for all other areas. The homes are designed and built solar ready in the factory, however the solar panels will be installed on site.
The Koto Yksi with 2 bedrooms/ 1 bathroom is 1016SF and was dubbed Yski (Finnish for “first”), this … [+]
RENDERING COURTESY OF PLANT PREFAB
To make the houses more eco-friendly, smart systems, low energy LED lighting, and low flow water fixtures are included in all houses.
The houses will be built using natural materials, such as the wood siding. and reclaimed materials, such as the wood floors and “cradle to cradle” certified mosa tiles. Additionally, for people who want to pay for upgrades the company offers an “eco luxe” package that would include FSC lumber, FSC siding, and FSC reclaimed floors.
The Koto LivingHome 1 and 2 were designed specifically for Plant Prefab, and have just recently been debuted, so these particular designs have not yet been built. However, Koto has been designing bespoke homes for clients in Europe for several years.
The Koto Yksi has large picture windows which create a sense of openness, and sliding glass doors … [+]
Rendering courtesy of Plant Prefab
According to Steve Glenn, CEO of PlantPrefab, “Our mission is to make great architecture more accessible, affordable, and sustainable. To do this, we’re looking to work with the best design practices globally—firms whose missions align with ours—so we can bring their designs to life in the most efficient way possible. Koto is the first international firm with whom we’ve partnered and we’re incredibly excited to introduce two exclusive designs, and to expand our offering of top quality, highly sustainable homes.”