Modern Modular by Joseph Tanney and Robert Luntz (Princeton Architectural Press, 192 pages) $48.
Prefabricated homes used to bring to mind rows of identical buildings dropped down on identical lots. This vision couldn’t be further from the approach of Resolution: 4 Architecture.
At first glance into this book it is obvious that RS4 is all about choice. Their design is built around a conceptual building block that adheres to the physical limits placed by the Department of Transportation. They dictate the maximum size of an object that can be moved on a public highway as being 16 feet by 60 feet. Within that rectangle exists a multitude of options for design.
Blocks may be combined in a variety of ways and there are pages of examples showing how extremely versatile this model is. Fourteen case studies are presented, demonstrating the way these homes can be adapted to a wide variety of lots and terrain. Each one is beautifully photographed and accompanied by architectural drawings. The photographs show everything from building the units in the factory to transporting, lifting them into place and the completed installation. Each example is introduced with a description of the many features, how the building has been situated on the lot, its sustainable construction, and energy efficiencies.
It won’t take long to see the value in this type of construction and its many applications.
— Terry Peters
