Prefab has been around for a while, but how often is it created by the students of Frank Lloyd Wright?

Students at the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture have designed the “Taliesin Mod.Fab” sustainable residential prototype of modular housing. With the ability to operate on or off the grid, the structure relies on low-consumption fixtures, rainwater harvesting, greywater re-use, natural ventilation, solar orientation and photovoltaics to reduce energy and water use. The unit consists of structural insulated panels and standard aluminum sliding glass doors and windows, and can be built on most sites.

The freestanding small living space makes up 600 square feet (12 feet by 50 feet), and is similar to a one-bedroom studio apartment with a large great room, a bathroom and a galley kitchen. Plus, it integrates a landscaped outdoor space with a breezeway and a terrace, which makes it a great space for desert living.

“The enterprising graduate and undergraduate students of The Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture undertook this groundbreaking project for several reasons:  to address important issues facing today’s built environment, including living compactly and sustainably; to bring a fresh perspective to the ‘learning by doing’ credo that is so integral to our educational philosophy; and to create more on-campus lodging to accommodate the growth of the school,” explained Victor Sidy, dean of the school.

The prefab is expected to cost between $75,000 to $120,000, and would include a licensing fee, architectural plans and a list of on-the-shelf materials. Not too shabby for a sleek, sustainable structure. It’s really important that students learn to build for water and energy shortages but still create with aesthetic principles, because it seems those two factors will increasingly determine consumer purchases in the future.