Method Homes Makes Bespoke Prefabs That Don’t Have a Factory Feel
The company collaborates with architects on one-off, module-based designs that promise clients a mix of customization and quality.
Welcome to Prefab Profiles, an ongoing series of interviews with people transforming how we build houses. From prefab tiny houses and modular cabin kits to entire homes ready to ship, their projects represent some of the best ideas in the industry. Do you know a prefab brand that should be on our radar? Get in touch!
Brian Abramson founded Method Homes in 2007 with the intention of using modular construction to streamline building—without sacrificing on good design or craftsmanship. In both residential and commercial construction, Method has endeavored to walk the line between efficiency and quality by mixing prefabrication with on-site work, recruiting architecture firms on a project-by-project basis, and staffing a rigorous in-house team of designers. Here, Brian tells us the specifics about how Method Homes manages to achieve consistency in their prefab offerings despite their bespoke approach.
Peter Brunner had already designed this home on Nelson Island, British Columbia, before asking Method Homes to construct it. The building is made from three prefabricated, already-furnished volumes shipped to the remote site by barge.
Photo by Kevin Scott
What’s the most exciting project you’ve realized to date?
We are fortunate to have built many exciting and complex projects on islands, mountaintops, in urban environments, and other beautiful settings. Method has completed over 400 projects since its inception.
Some favorites that come to mind include a recent project. Set on a mountaintop, the property was a gorgeous off-grid site on the Monterey Peninsula, with 270-degree coastal views. We are currently also building above the base of a ski area in Washington, working on several picturesque island projects in the San Juans, and completed a house in the hills above the Napa Valley.
Some of our other diverse and memorable projects include three modular cross-laminated timber hybrid homes, which were fire rebuilds in Greenville, California, ten units of workforce housing to Rico, Colorado, three backcountry huts at Frog Lake near Donner Summit, and affordable housing projects on Lopez Island and in Fort Peck Montana.
An indoor outdoor connection and seamless integration into the natural landscape are things clients consistently like about their homes.
Peter designed the main house as two modules under a shed roof. The primary volume includes the kitchen, dining room, and primary bedroom. A shower room and second bedroom were placed in the smaller unit.
Photo by Kevin Scott
Peter lined the home's interior with whitewashed Douglas fir and left the structure exposed.
Photo by Kevin Scott
See the full story on Dwell.com: Method Homes Makes Bespoke Prefabs That Don’t Have a Factory Feel
Related stories:
Solve the daily Crossword
