Alternative Construction Research Guide - GCCDS

factoryassembledhomesconstructionprocessspeeddeliverymethodrequiredequipmentspecializedlaborwindresistancewaterresistancefireresistancethermalperformancelife spanenvironmentalimpactproductversatilitymarketexposurecodeapprovalaffordabilitycoastalconsiderationsmodular homescomponent homeskit homeshybrid homesModular HomesModular homes are common throughout theMississippi Gulf Coast, and there are manymanufacturers and several installers available tointerested housing providers.Component SystemsComponent systems or “smart components” arecurrently only available for larger scale multi-unitresidential and commercial projects. They may bean option as the quantity of components neededfor a project increases. Typically components arekitchens or bathrooms.Kit HomesKit homes come in a large variety ofconfigurations, many of which are available onthe Gulf Coast. Types of kit homes include panel,heavy timber, metal, or wood assemblies.Hybrid HomesHybrid homes are not used very often on the GulfCoast, as they are normally complex and require agood deal of pre-planning.Most factory-assembled homes do not haveas great of a cost- or time-advantage asmanufacturers may claim. They do have theadvantages of standardization and requiring lesslocal skill in planning and construction. They arealso increasingly economical and efficient as thenumber of housing units in a project increases.(FIG.D) HYBRID HOMES use both large manufacturedpieces and on-site construction. Each systemis used for its own advantage to maximize speed andcustom design.FURTHER INFORMATION• www.toolbase.org• www.manufacturedhomesoure.com• Refabricating Architecture: How ManufacturingMethodologies Are Poised to Transform BuildingConstruction by Stephen Kieran and JamesTimberlake (McGraw Hill-Professional; 2003)OTHER TYPES OFFACTORY-ASSEMBLED HOMESFactory-Assembled Homes whole house system