Book Description
This is the only book that gives homeowners who are dreaming about building or planning to build a new home the good and the bad on all types of prefabricated houses. Shows that prefabricated can be mainstream traditional design and does not have to look like a mobile home or a modular "Dwell" box.
Prefabulous describes the many systems available for prefabricating all or parts of a new home, including timber frame and log, as well as modular, panelized, structural insulated panels, steel framing and concrete systems, which are relatively new. Prefabulous describes these systems, compares their advantages and disadvantages, and shows beautiful examples of houses built using these techniques. Although all of these "prefabricated" houses look very different, all of them were manufactured partially or almost completely in a controlled factory environment and transported to the home site to be erected. As a group these systems offer a faster, more energy-efficient, and sometimes more cost-efficient method of building.
Includes a foreword by Not So Big House author Sarah Susanka, who writes: "For homeowners who want to know the options, the advantages and disadvantages of those options, and to see how those prefabricated parts come together into a good, attractive home, read this book."
Customer Reviews:
Prefabulous.......2007-09-20
Very informative book. A must read for anyone thinking of building an upscale prefab house.
Fabulous is right!.......2007-08-24
Sheri Koones has done another remarkable job showing the benefits and cusomization capabilities of systems-built homes. The press has made 'pre-fab' a common term over the last few years, and this book helps to showcase the many types of quality, code-compliant, factory built homes. As Executive Director of the Building Systems Councils at the National Association of Home Builders, I know many of our members own copies of this book and are proud to see systems-built homes get the recognition they deserve for being such great ways to build. The book is extremely well done, outlining the types, options, floorplans, and design choices of systems-built homes. There is no other book like it.
Long on promise, short on substance.......2007-08-23
I purchased this book along with another book about "modular" homes by the same author titled "Modular Mansions". I am terribly disappointed by both the books and I am leaving this same exact review for the other book as well.
The book is nothing more than pretty pictures. It offers very little in substance. While the book does profile several large houses constructed in a modular fashion, the author seem to have neither the inclination nor the construction background to discuss the meat and potatoes issues. The book is sprinkled with platitudes and how various home owners chose to decorate their homes. I would have liked to see discussions about how the actual construction was accomplished, what the pitfalls have been, some rudimentary floor plans etc. An in-depth profile of at least one of the houses including perhaps a sit-down with the architect as to how the pieces fit together would have been better than the sheer fluff that fills the pages.
It seems the author was exposed to the modular way of building homes rather by accident and while she seems genuinely enthusiastic about this method, she does not possess proper education/training/experience to guide a reader properly. Instead, she chose to produce this coffee table book that is pretty to look at but offers little else. I was suckered by the promise of modular homes into ordering both the "coffee table" books by this author at the same time and both are equally disappointing.
Modular type of construction does offer some promise in very specific cases for an educated home owner/builder that can take advantage of the efficiencies of this method while avoiding the various pitfalls. But do not buy these books expecting to be educated. You are better of researching somewhere else where true professionals offer advice in this area.
Extraordinary Approach To Housing.......2007-07-23
I had no idea factory built homes existed at anything close to this level of detail, craftsmanship, beauty, variety, durability and more.
This is an excellent book which incorporates all the major types of factory built homes outside of manufactured homes and mobile homes. I now have an entirely new perspective on the current and future state of housing in our country, especially here in Miami, Florida.
As a result of this tremendous "discovery," I am putting together a team of dedicated professionals to assess the viability of the construction applications (residential, commercial and otherwise) featured in this book for the South Florida market.
Every one of my colleagues, friends, family and others have been absolutely amazed at the contents of this book.
You will not be disappointed with this outstanding piece of work even if you employ its use for educational or edification purposes only, or just as a conversation piece for your coffee table.
FAB.......2007-06-08
This book is very helpful in learning about the different choices you have for building. Worth buying if you are looking for something besides standard stick built house.
Average customer rating:
- Good straightforward background to housing
- Fascinating as study of both architechture and history.
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Building the Dream: A Social History of Housing in America
Gwendolyn Wright
Manufacturer: The MIT Press
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ASIN: 0262730642 |
Book Description
This book is concerned essentially with the model of domestic environment in this country, as it has evolved from colonial architecture through current urban projects.
Customer Reviews:
Good straightforward background to housing.......2006-11-06
Although a little dated, this book provides a good, straightforward, easy to read background on housing in America. It touches on the historical reasons why we prefer the single-family suburban house yet also explores other housing types and their origins.
Fascinating as study of both architechture and history........1997-02-17
Wright starts at the beginning and explains how the American experience has effected American architechture, and vice versa. Weaving religious, social and economic conditions into her story of how Americans came to live in the structures that they call home, Wright's book is one of the few "page-turners" that I've encountered among architechture books. It's indespensible to the student of American history. --David Macia
Book Description
Walk through the front doors of more of the most exclusive homes in the world.
American Dream Homes is another remarkable beautiful photographic collection of 50 stunning show homes.
The book is like a walking tour, walking you step-by-step through the design and decorating details.
Each outstanding home is the collaborative vision of a unique design team. From accessories to landscaping, these gorgeous homes represent the best of the home-building and decorating arts.
Best of all, readers may purchase blueprints of these fine homes and build a dream of their own.
Ranging in size from 3,000 to over 10,000 square feet, these designs include virtually every imaginable luxury: sweeping staircases, grand entries, soaring ceilings, awe-inspiring interiors and magnificent master suites.
From every corner of North America, American Dream Homes, showcases the finest projects of the brightest residential designers and decorators working today.
Customer Reviews:
Lots of very very expensive homes........2007-02-20
I will never be able to afford any of the homes in this book, and even if I could, I don't think I'd want something that big. Regardless, it is fun to look
Good idea book.......2006-02-15
I bought this book to get ideas for a custom home we were building. I loved the full-page color photos, and found a few ideas I could incorporate in my new home, even though it is much smaller than these plans! I love Colonial, European, and Neo-classic styles, so there were only a few homes with touches of these styles (hence, only 4 stars), but I still found the book useful. For more classic, European style homes, I highly recommend "Villa Decor - Decidedly French and Italian Style" and "French Influences", both by Betty Lou Phillips.
Not the best bang for the buck. .......2006-02-05
The photos in this book are not exclusive, as they can be found in many other books and magazines. It is certainly a better value than "dream home" magazines that usually sell for $7 a pop at the newstands, but it pales in comparison to "Dan Sater's Luxury Home Plans". Sater's book is better in just about every way... larger format, larger pictures, thicker paper, a better selection of homes in my opinion (not to mention a few identical ones), and a lower price.
You probably already know that the purpose of these books is to sell home plans. That's why they're so cheap. From a consumer standpoint, they're fun to browse through and you don't feel any buyer's remorse since you can easily spend more money at McDonald's.
If you're looking for a book to get valuable ideas for your next home or remodel, take a look at "Home by Design" by Sarah Susanka.
Every house features full color photos!.......2004-05-28
I have bought house plan books before and normally only the first few are in full color and then the rest are black and white and don't show any interior photos. This book, however, has full color photos for every house plan featured. They show a few interior pictures for each, and it is by far the best house plan book I have found. Although, every plan in this book is quite large and you'd have to be a millionaire to be able to afford them.
Quite interesting!!.......2004-03-29
Ok,I just read...well skimmed through this book,I just looked at the pics of all the gorgeous houses.My house is custom designed and I wanted to see some other interesting designs.Well I certainly got alot of ideas for my next house,I personally think i'ts a brilliant book that anyone that is fascinated with wealth should read!
Book Description
Start with a warm tropical climate. Add an abundance of exotic natural building material. And then let the cross currents of Asian design and aesthetics create a rich architectural alchemy of its own. The result? The exquisite homes in the Philippines, a perfect balance of form and functionality. Tropical Living explores this dynamic experiment with breathtaking photography and fascinating text.Tropical Living examines diverse residential design styles in both the city and in the countryside, in mountains and at the sea. From a classic old-world penthouse in the Malate area to an Asian-fusion villa on Batangas Bay, over thirty private homes are showcased and captured in color photographs taken by noted photographer, Andrew Chester Ong. Featuring an introduction by anthropology professor, Fernando Nakpil Zialcita, this book is a feast for lovers of Southeast Asia and anyone interested in design concepts from this fascinating and underrepresented corner of the world.
Customer Reviews:
Highly Recommended!.......2002-07-11
If you are into tropical architecture, this sure is the book for you! Not much text which makes it of "worth" + great photography! Before planning a house, this sure is a must-have! Houses featured here has its owne individuality and character! Dont miss it!...
A designing must.......2001-09-15
This is a beautifully photographed and well-organized showcase of wonderful Philippine homes. The range of houses covered is amazing and you're sure to get inspiration from one of the many fine examples of East meets West design as well as the seamless blend of Spanish, Malay, and Western heritage that the Philippines has. The homes are fabulous and even if you aren't thinking of redecorating, you will be after you finish it. One of the things that I particularly like about this is that unlike many books on Asian homes which focus only on either architectural design OR the interiors, this one gives a good balance of both. I just wish that the book had more pages.
Philippine Dream Homes.......2001-07-10
This was truly a feast for my senses. The Filipino elite is a highly sophisticated, well travelled, cosmopolitan, tropical, and casually elegant group who have developed a blended taste and style of their own. This book could be renamed "Tropical Dream Homes of the Philippines Rich and Famous". What is truly visible in this book is the rich diversity and fusion of the different cultures - Chinese, Spanish, Indonesian, Malaysian, and American - creating a Philippine cosmo-Asian blend. I highly recommend this book.
Book Description
Simplicity, modesty, and skillful design are the principles that have guided James Gauer both in his architectural practice and in the selection of the seventeen outstanding projects in this unique collection of small homes by architects around the country. A wide range of housing types and settings—from a diminuative New York City apartment to a farmhouse in Pennsylvania, a cottage in Santa Monica, and a single-family home in Nashville—illustrates a variety of architectural styles and design solutions that have transformed these small spaces into comfortable, stylish, cost and energy-effecient residences. More than a how-to style guide, this volume features a wide range of of housing types from 475 to 2,100 square feet.
Customer Reviews:
Smaller is Better.......2005-01-04
The New American Dream is a marvelous pictoral essay presenting a well argued thesis for the superiority of small spaces. The breakdown of the book into sections which focus on specific aesthetic merits that small houses and apartments can provide is
extremely well articulated. It is so refreshing to be able enjoy a book on design that has a text worthy of its photographs.
Great ideas, beautiful photography.......2004-11-06
I bought this book at Strand Bookstore in New York because of the beautiful photography and details the author included about each featured home. I love that there is a movement (apparently) towards smaller homes. I'm originally from Houston, and the disgusting scale of houses in the suburbs is such a contrast to the wonderful buildings featured in this book.
The only problem I had was I felt that most of the dwellings featured were second homes. I would like to have seen more primary residences.
Book Description
Tree houses are no longer just for children. With the growing excitement surrounding tree house architecture, adults around the world are building their own treetop hideaways -- savoring the childhood memories, feelings of nostalgia, and images of fantasy that are evoked by these almost dreamlike constructions. TreeHouses: Living a Dream brings together the most innovative ideas of today's architects and designers, providing readers with a comprehensive exploration of the unique construction methods that allow these amazing structures to adapt to their changing environments. From Nebraska and Georgia to France and Germany, this book features a variety of projects that include playrooms, weekend retreats, home offices, dining rooms, and more. Each case study includes interior and exterior photography, as well as detailed site and floor plans accompanied by concise, informative text. With more than 350 full-color illustrations, TreeHouses: Living a Dream is sure to help every reader make a reality out of their tree house fantasy.
Customer Reviews:
Not your kids Tree House.......2005-08-14
There are an awful lot of 'pretty house' books out there. Some of them offering quite unusual house designs. But nothing I've ever seen compares with the designs in this book. ==I've seen houses built on poles because they are located in a flood plain. Of course the Swiss Family Robinson and the Ewoks of StarWars fame lived in tree houses. I had one as a kid, and when my daughter came along, she had one (she could pull up the ladder and keep her brother out).
In this book however professional architects from all over Europe, Tasmania, and the U.S have been used to design houses that live up in trees. The houses are mostly not the entire living structure but are offices, retreats, studios, and some of the most exciting entertainment areas imaginable. The results are unbelievably striking.
The integration of the advanced design with the natural look of the trees gives a feeling of working together that I wouldn't have expected. This is true if the tree house is ultra modern, traditional, or some that I guess I'd just call unconventional. A surprising book.
Book Description
Everyone has an idea of their own dream home, whether it be a minimally furnished apartment overlooking a city skyline or an informal and colourful retreat in the sun. Whatever your dream, this bestselling book - now available in paperback for the first time - presents 100 inspirational interiors of all styles from around the globe, from New England to Mallorca and from Provence to South Africa. Alongside the work of many of the world's most talented interior designers are homes that have been imaginatively transformed by the vision and commitment of their owners.
Features 100 inspirational homes, the key characteristics of which are compellingly described by leading interiors writer Johanna Thornycroft
Stunningly illustrated with over 800 photographs by world-renowned interiors photographer Andreas von Einsiedel
An essential reference for anyone wanting to turn their dream home into a reality
Customer Reviews:
Best book for ideas on interiors.......2007-03-22
My wife and I are getting started on designing the interior of our new home. To this end, I visited three bookstores browsing through about 40 books for ideas on interior decoration. This book stood out as having the most inspiring and tasteful designs, as well as providing a large number and variety of photos, all at a very good price. Highly recommended. As one other reviewer pointed out, written text is limited, but this is made up for by the superior quantity and quality of photos. The book more than serves its purpose. For written guides on interior design, I plan to purchase: "The Home Design Planner" by Katherine Sorrell.
A rich, gorgeous presentation of many examples........2007-01-07
For an outstanding sourcebook of interiors which stand out from the many, DREAM HOMES: 100 INSPIRATIONAL INTERIORS is an exceptional purchase recommended for any discriminating art library strong in interior design titles. No single style represents a 'dream home': it can be Mediterranean, Californian, Asian or a blend. A hundred examples of perfection in all areas are culled from homes of all styles from around the world, presenting the work of the planet's most talented interior designers. There are over 800 lovely color photos of these spaces, plus in-depth explanations by design expert Johanna Thornycroft, which explains how each home was created or transformed. A rich, gorgeous presentation of many examples.
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
Photo album.......2006-05-18
This book is full of pictures but very little information. The pictures are beautiful but I was expecting more written ideas and advice.
Book Description
Porches not only provide a practical function by extending living and entertaining space, but they also fulfill aesthetic and social needs by exuding a sense of welcome and creating an appealing transition from indoor to outdoor. In Dream Porches and Sunrooms, homeowners are invited to discover the simple pleasures these additions can bring to their life by envisioning the various design possibilities available as well as gaining an overview of the porch creation process.
This highly-visual resource book overflows with vibrant color photography showcasing diverse outdoor additions in a variety of exterior styles arranged by purpose (dining, entertaining, relaxing, etc.) and location (city, suburbs, small town, waterfront), demonstrating how homeowners can select a design to suit their particular living space and needs. Sketched plan diagrams are included with many of the photos, and an in-depth chapter on the elements of "porch style" encompasses a wealth of decorative options for further inspiration.
Dream Porches and Sunrooms also highlights the important practical considerations to take into account before embarking on a porch project and selecting a suitable design. It concludes with a final chapter outlining the key choices and elements involved in the porch construction process, rendering them in a clear, concise manner using a mix of text and pictorial examples along with helpful checklists and sidebars.
Customer Reviews:
Misleading Title; Disappointing Contents.......2007-06-18
Though the word "sunrooms" is included in the title, there are fewer than five sunrooms featured in this book.
Most of the featured houses would cost $3-5million if purchased in California. The porch on the front cover is illustrative of the porches featured inside. If you can't afford the house that goes with that porch, you won't be able to afford the porches on the interior either.
This complaint is no small matter--the issues that arise in trying to make the most of limited space with a limited budget are different from the issues faced by a multi-millionaire designing a dream house with a dream view.
The self-congratulatory text concludes, "You've seen spectacular examples of porch design and been directed to the details that set them apart. Along the way, you've witnessed what is possible no matter the circumstances, regardless of the size of a house." I disagree.
Average customer rating:
- No Jumping on the Bed!
- No Jumping On The Bed
- Could have been more
- Two classics
- A Dream- maybe
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No Jumping On the Bed!
Manufacturer: Dial
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Binding: Board book
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ASIN: 0803730446 |
Book Description
Walter has been told not to jump on the bed, but he just can't resist. Higher and higher he bounces until the floor cracks and down he tumbles, bed and all, into the apartment below. And so begins the most exciting nighttime adventure of Walter's life.
This wild and giddy book has been enthralling children for many years. Now it has been edited for an even younger audience, but it hasn't lost any of its humor and glee.
Customer Reviews:
No Jumping on the Bed!.......2007-09-11
ISBN 0803700385 - Pretty much everyone who was ever a kid has jumped on a bed, and pretty much everyone who's ever been a parent has told them to stop. Then there are those parents who just can't resist pointing out potential consequences, like "One day it'll crash right through the floor."
That's what Walter's father told him. He was wrong - it happened one NIGHT, not one day. In fact, the very night he said it could happen it did. Walter went straight down into Miss Hattie's dining room - then took her along as he crashed through floor after floor, picking up neighbors as they fell, until they reached the basement, where... nah, read it yourself.
Funny, but not exactly flowing text. The illustrations are very nice, cartoonish in the way all of Arnold's books are. Kids will enjoy finding out, the easy way, what could happen if they really DID send their bed crashing through the floor!
No Jumping On The Bed.......2003-07-17
Author: Tedd Arnold
When Walter starts jumping on the bed his Dad tells him, "Don't jump on the bed or you might fall through the floor." I don't think the little boy wants to stop jumping on the bed. The author seems to understand what kids can go through and I hope there are other people who want to read this book to their kids. This is a very creative book and I think that someone who can write a book and somehow know almost everything a kid will do, must really understand kids. Tedd Arnold is a very creative person. I would read this book to my little brothers, sisters and cousins because it's a very good book and it's appropriate for children eight and younger.
Could have been more.......2003-01-22
I had heard that this book was a real gem, but when I got it and read it to my 5 year old, we felt there could have been a bit more humor. I guess we expected these to be more like Arnold's Parts and More Parts which are hysterical and highly entertaining.
Two classics.......2002-10-02
Tedd Arnold's 'No Jumping on the Bed' and its sequel 'No More Water in the Tub' are the best one-two combination since 'The Cat in the Hat' and 'The Cat and the Hat Returns'. Highest possible recommendation, after reading kids books aloud to a daughter for 4 years. A hoot for parents as well. (And I'm not a relative of the author.) Taken together: a masterpiece of kids' lit and illustration. Buy them both, now.
A Dream- maybe.......2001-08-26
I cringed the first time I heard "Five Little Monkey's Jumping on the Bed"- what mom doesn't? Tedd Arnold explores a different scary aspect of bedjumping, probably one that many children who live in old houses or buildings have thought about- What If The Floor Breaks?! In addition, he caters to the voyeur in children. Don't most children wonder what their neighbors do and what their homes are like? Mine do. The illustrations are charmingly blocky- like Lego people. The animals are cuddly. Everyone rhymes. The theme is very funny to little people- Imagine visiting all your neighbors through the floor! Walter is viewed in our household much as an actor is- my children have noticed that he is also Ollie in "Ollie Forgot". We like that continuity of players in our books. I know that children have to learn that dreams aren't reality; that "what happens during the night" is not really something that happens. Interestingly, Tedd Arnold messes with young minds just a little by making them wonder what is reality and what is a dream.
Book Description
The modern Japanese home has always attracted Western architects and designers. With a panache that often borders on the outrageous, modern homes in Japan blend such traditional elements as shoji screens and tatam-matted rooms with what, at first glance, appear to be thoroughly contemporary elements of the Western home.
And yet a closer look reveals impressively subtle alterations. Carefully crafted wooden surfaces throughout the home gleam with a delicate Japanese sense of color and rhythm. The kitchen and living areas are fitted out with modern appliances or furniture, yet the subtle variations in the wall placement and space usage suggest that a different sensibility is at work.
Azby Brown, in his third book on Japanese architecture, delves into the intricacies of the modern Japanese home by first reaching back to its roots (some thousand years earlier) to follow its development to the present day, then steams ahead to explore the state-of-the-art Japanese home, with its recycled materials, extruded synthetic wood decks, and dozens of unique touches that can only be found in Japan. Designer Joseph Cali has supplied countless intriguing modern and historical images, many of them appearing here in an English-language publication for the first time.
In page after page of this lushly illustrated, all-color volume, Brown presents his take on Japan's high-tech yet serene home designs. The Japanese Dream House is one of the first English language books to appear in a long time on the subject and is sure to prove an indispensable volume for architects, designers, and homeowners for years to come.
FEATURES
Full color
223 color photos Includes rare historical photos
10 line drawings
New architectural photos never published before
Customer Reviews:
Excellent introduction to Japanese system housing.......2004-10-30
I was expecting a coffee table book on pretty Japanese manufactured houses, but was pleasantly surprised it had depth.
The book begins with a historical look at Japanese housing and the influences of society, aesthetics, and economics on today's housing market. It details the influences of government legislation on the rigid feudal class system; Japanese minimalism of the poor versus the ostentation of the aristocracy; and important events from the Edo period to today's ongoing recession.
Later on, it details the rise of system housing manufacturers, building techniques, and the sales process a family would undertake to purchase a home. While it does feature a few architectural one-offs, the authors discredits these as something mass market consumers have no interest in (no different than North America). Sidebars go into details on things like roofing materials, shoji screens, tatami matting, to bathroom design.
This book is the perfect beginning guide to Japanese manufactured system housing. To complain that this book is a sales brochure for Misawa would be like complaining that a book on cars has too many pictures of Cadillacs and Mercedes and not enough Dacias and Ladas. The pictures are very good, but I would have liked to see a wider variety of homes and interiors, but that can be easily done by picking up a Japanese housing consumer magazine like Plus 1 Housing.
Your basic [money amount]sales brochure.......2003-08-13
This book does provide a fairly interesting, if basic, overview of the modern Japanese home but ... it is also an expensive sales brochure for Misawa system built homes. Misawa provided photos for pages 1, 2, 3, 6-10, 25, 30, 31, 32, 33, 36, 38, 39, 41, 43, 44, 45, 48, 49, 50, 56, 57, 60-63, 68, 69, 76, 77, 78, 79, 82, 88, 89, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 104, 105, 106, 107, 110-118, 120-129. And Misawa is used as an example in the text on 12 pages.
Utterly wonderful and so informative.......2003-06-23
Because we are in the process of designing and building a Zen Danish (as we call it) new home I purchased this wonderful book in order to get some specific ideas. Of special interest are the Danish and Japanese choices in light hardwood floors, tatami mat floor coverings and window coverings like shoji screens which can be opened for full light during the day and closed for more privacy.
And the book does an excellent job in showing the value in smaller appliances like dishwashers for small families and the front loading or combo washer-dryer units which also take up less space and use less water. And the beautifully designed skylights.
The photography is wonderful and there are so many, along with informative texts on why certain elements work well, and what the future holds for design. The homes are so open and airy that they can be smaller and more environmentally friendly, and better than what I call the average American tract home that has so much wasted space.
I also like the whole sections on furniture and how the outside garden areas when designed well, become rooms that make the interior of the home look bigger as well. There is so much to be said about the way the Japanese blend style, high tech and spiritual into their home design.
If you are seriously interested in ideas for that one of a kind, high quality home that doesn't have to break the bank then this book may be of great value to you. It is not a book for the person who likes "average."
A GOOD STORY OF JAPANESE HOUSE.......2001-09-06
This book is very interesting for the people who want to know the evolution of house style after II world war:
The evolution of styles from american style to tecnological style.
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- Kodocha: Sana's Stage Vol. 3
- Cougar: A Guide for Older Women Dating Younger Men
- Venetian Palaces
- A Stability Technique for Evolution Partial Differential Equations: A Dynamical Systems Approach
- Architectural Graphic Standards, Tenth Edition
- Constitutional Law: Principles And Policies
- Bird Dog: The Instinctive Training Method
- Historic Adobes of Los Angeles County
- Waterside Living: Inspirational Homes by Lakes, Rivers, and the Ocean
- Lemurs of the Lost World
Modular Mansions
The Grissim Ratings Guide to Manufactured Homes: The Essential Buyer's Resource, Listing Every Builder in the U.S., Their Histories, Products, Price Ranges, ... Need-to-Know Information and Much More
The Modular Home
Prefab Modern
The Simple Home: The Luxury of Enough (American Institute Architects)
