Katrina Cottages

I knew about the original Katrina Cottage which was developed as a dignified, non-toxic alternative to FEMA trailers, but I had no idea that it had inspired a movement. An article in the NYT turned me on to the fact that there are no many different "Cottage" plans to choose from and that Lowes and several other Companies are selling the plans and the materials. I have always been a big fan of cottage and camp architecture and I am glad to see it coming back with a vengeance. Enough with the crappy McMansions and their tacky Palladian windows. In any case, these cottages are perfect for a summer family camp and most can be pre-fabbed and put on a trailer which makes building on a remote site a whole lot easier. I also think that these would make great housing for the elderly, as an alternative to assisted living apartments. I got the plan above from Cusato Cottages but the Katrina Cottages Organization has a list of vendors and more information on the whole deal check it out, it's quite possibly insanely great Link: www.katrinacottagehousing.org

Modular PreFab Bathrooms

Though this particular manufacturer specializes in student housing and hotels, there are many other firms selling similar products. Pre wired and plumbed, they come apart to fit through a standard door. They come in myriad configurations and colors and range from spartan to fancy. From what I can gather, these bathroom pods are most popular in Britain. Seems like a good alternative for anyone setting up an accessory apartment, cabin, pre-fab unit or mother in law apartment, or anything where convenience or durability is paramount.

PowerHouse Power POD Pre-Fab

Here is another great option for a guest room or vacation cabin/camp cabin.  The PowerHouse Power POD comes on one flatbed and purportedly sets up in a day.  Designed for either efficient on-grid power or off grid, the Power POD has a pretty compelling feature list starting with passive and active solar for heat, hot water and electricity, Radiant floor heat, high efficiency windows and insulation, highly efficient lighting and rainwater collection for a cistern.  There are a few other models other than the butterfly roof pictured and PowerHouse also makes full sized prefabs.  Best of all they are located right here in MA, so transport would be relatively inexpensive in N.E. More Info HERE PowerHouse

Yankee Barn Homes Pre-Fab

Yankee Barn's homes are customizable pre-fab post and

beam houses. Everything is pre-cut stained and fitted at

their shop.  Once they deliver the components, the barn

can be raised and the exterior completed in roughly 17 

days, at which point the contractor can begin the interior.

More info can be found at their unusually informative web site :http://yankeebarnhomes.com/

Tumbleweed Tiny Homes

I ran across this outfit the other day, and they sell plans and kits for all kings of small houses from the truly tiny trailerable one pictured below left to the largest (still pretty small) pictured below right. They remind me of the tiny camp meeting houses on Martha's Vineyard or the homes in Brewster Park. But they would also be equally suited to for use at a camp or as a wilderness vacation cabin, or even a backyard office or guest house.  The floorplans are for the larger house.

You can get more information here Tumbleweed Tiny Homes

The Prefab That Started it All - The Quonset

I first remember Quonset Huts from their appearance in Gomer Pyle PFC and McHale's Navy.  What I did not know is that they take their name from the place they were first manufactured, Quonset Point Naval Base, Kingstown RI. Some 150,000 were produced during WWII and after the war, they were sold to civilians for $1,000 each.  I used to see them a fair bit in rural N.E., but seems they have mostly rusted away.  A friend of mine was absolutely mad about them and always wanted to have one as a second home.  Post WWII housing was scarce for returning GI's and  the city of Los Angeles set up a temporary settlement of 750 Quonset huts intended to house 1,000 families, at it's peak Roger Young Village, named after Pvt. Roger Young, housed 5,000 individuals.  Seems to me the simple Quonset hut would have been better that flimsy and toxic Katrina trainers. The Village was demolished mid 50's.

KitHaus

Similar to the WeeHouse, another prefab unit that would make pretty good camp
cabins. The larger size has a bathroom, though for ease of maintenance and cost
considerations I would be tempted to make one large building for kitchen, dining
shower and bath as in a traditional camp. The also have solar setups and HVAC.

Cargotecture

This is one of the better houses made from cargo containers that I have seen.

This one takes advantage of the fact that containers walls are not load bearing.

All of the load is born by four corner posts , which can hold the weight of 14 full

containers.  Knowing this, they have made this dwelling with whole sections which

slide out of the way to open up to the windows.  One nice thing about that is that it 

pretty much makes the place bomb proof for the off season.  No worries about intruders

or storm damage.  You could probably dress up the steel a bit with some different paint

and wood slats or something.   Anyway, here are the folks who thought it up...

http://www.hybridseattle.com/

Vacation Homes

More potential "Camp" Buildings

Sweetwater Bungalows

Vacation Homes

Martha and I have always wanted to have a

Camp. Basically a number of simple buildings

for people to sleep in and a common kitchen,

bath, lounge & dining building. Kindof a kids

Camp for grownups. I think these prefab little

rooms/houses would make great cabins.

you can find more @ http://www.fabprefab.com