There is no doubt the momentum for various versions of off-site built housing is challenging the long-overwhelming tradition of site-built stick houses.

Now, not only do off-site house methods have momentum but some prestigious awards to boot. A big one announced for 2008 by the National Association of Home Builders was a modular cottage called Tucker Bayou as Home of The Year.

The house is a comfortable 3500 square foot vacation home in the Florida panhandle previously famous for upscale site-built communities representing modern living. In contrast Tucker Bayou was built substantially in a factory and shipped to the site where it was assembled in a matter of days.

Tucker Bayou also changes the common perception that modular houses consist of small affordable designs built by smaller architects and suitable only for urban infill. That is expected to change in a hurry because this is a project done by a group of well-established names, most notably Haven Custom Homes, Looney Ricks Kiss architects, and The St. Joe company.

Media: Tucker Bayou