Author Sheri Koones has long argued the merits of prefabricated homes.
In her new book, Prefabulous + Almost Off the Grid, she bolsters her case by focusing on the energy savings possible with factory construction.
Helping her cause is a foreword by Robert Redford.
Koones' book spotlights 32 homes that require little or no energy from utility companies for heating, cooling, lighting and other needs.
The homes are varied in size and use an array of prefabrication methods, including modular components, structural insulated panels and steel frames. They also represent a range of styles, from spare, modern structures to traditional farmhouses and Craftsman homes.
Among the homes she features is SmartHome Cleveland, a passive house that was built in 2011 as a temporary exhibit at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and was later moved to a permanent site.
In profiling each house, Koones shares such specifics as the design challenges the owners faced, the construction details and the green features that were incorporated.
Sidebar articles give more detailed explanations of sustainable features and terminology.
Prefabulous + Almost Off the Grid: Your Path to Building an Energy-Independent Home is published by Abrams and sells for $24.95 in hardcover.
