Jeriko House: Aluminum Prefab System Comes to America
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 02. 1.07
Speak to anyone involved in modern prefab, and one thing that will come up is that you have to work within the framework of existing laws, regulations and approvals. There are building codes, Underwriters Laboratory approvals, and local inspections that have to be dealt with at every stage. Thus when Preston of Jetson Green turned us on to a new modern prefab from New Orleans based Jeriko House, we were interested .
It starts off with a good story: "Soaring construction costs have not brought the home buyer increased efficiency – only increased environmental recklessness and decreased choices. Most modern houses sacrifice quality for speed and individuality for convenience. At Jeriko House, we are proud to stand up against this trend. We think differently. We want to fulfill the demand for thoughtful design in prefab housing. We believe there is a better way. A better way to build. A better way to live. For everyone."
Then they get into details.
It has a "precision engineered modular interlocking system is the culmination of years of global research by some of the world’s finest architectural minds" made with "rugged aerospace grade aluminum frame. Precision engineering assures that every Jeriko House fulfills its promise both in terms of function and design. Parts fit together smoothly. Click-in fasteners are the order of the day with no call for nails or screws."
They call it "PreFab 2.0 Construction." Besides being extraordinarily structurally sound and easy to assemble, the cutting-edge process manufactures each section with the electrical and plumbing infrastructures already incorporated. So, when the homes are being constructed on site - whether on a mountaintop or a riverside ravine - the mechanical systems are already in place. (with the small caveat that the website says "owner is responsible for the following: Permits, Site Work, Foundation, Plumbing, Electrical, HVAC rough in, and Landscaping")
It goes on from there into the stratosphere.
"We feel it is our duty at Jeriko House to take a leading role in the efforts to save our planet. Sustainability, energy efficiency and environmental friendliness are at the core of our beliefs. With a R&D team searching the globe for the latest and greatest green innovations and technology" even though their press release touts unsustainable "exotic Asian teak wood finishes, coconut skin walls, Indian rosewood door handles and stone, marble and ceramics from around the globe."
and lets not forget climate-specific design:
" Perhaps the most appealing quality of Jeriko House is its stunning versatility. Jeriko Houses adapt to any environment, from urban to rural; they suit any climate: from temperate to tropical, from alpine to desert." and "our homes can be placed on any terrain including water, mountain sides, uneven surfaces, remote areas."
The company hopes to have 100 orders by the end of the year (tough at $300 a foot not including foundations, mechanicals, electricals, HVAC or installation, although the press release is having a sale at $ 175) [UPDATE: this morning when I wrote the post, the FAQ listed the price per square foot at $ 300. It has been changed and now agrees with the press release at $ 175. ]and will donate "a portion of Jeriko's first $7 million in profits to help build a Community Outreach Center on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans. And for every 10th Jeriko House sold, those ten homeowners will form a committee that votes to give a Jeriko House to a family in need somewhere in the U.S."
UPDATE: We have been informed by TOMAHOUSE, an established high-end aluminum prefab system, that they are the supplier for Jeriko. They have offices in Bali and Spain, and manufacture in Germany. It is a lovely system that has not previously been sold in North America. It has been covered in Treehugger before here. Had Jeriko House described itself as a North American importer of Tomahouse technology in its website or press release and stated that the offices and employees belonged to TOMAHOUSE and not to Jeriko we would have written a very different post. In the light of this information I have modifed the content of the post.
Gee, it took me one Google to find the url:
http://www.jerikohouse.com/
Sorry to say, but I continue to find Treehugger very unreliable as a source of good information.
LA: yes of course that is there, I link to it at the bottom of the post! I said that I was looking for information on the company and the founder, not the specific house that has a website that I spend the whole time quoting.
Lloyd, you’re entitled to your opinion but I research the prefab market everyday and feel that the propositions made by this company make it one of the nicest prefab homes that I have come across. Also, having family that have been effected by Katrina, I don’t see this company deserving of criticism if they are adamant in helping those in the area of need. You can call it “praying on the goodwill of the poor and homeless”, but I only wish more companies would make the effort of doing the same.
I agree with Lloyd here. The website shows only a few views of a 3d model, and not even a very good one. The site just seems like a lot of words. It needs less talk and more action. There a lot of pre-fab companies out there with great design that are already delivering built homes. Make it real and make it cheap and don't use these exotic materials and then people will warm up to it more.
WOW- Lloyd, For the last year I have googled, surfed the net, made many phone calls to home builders, pre-fab companies, bankers, Insurance agents (the very people that would be the most critical of critics) in my endeavor to avoid the process of a conventional built home. NONE have taken the stance you have taken "against" Jeriko. Your opposition has interested me to the point that I have read many of your articles to assist me with making sure I spend my "life savings" wisely. Becuase of this, I now know that you are affiliated with or OWN, www.royalmodernhomes.com I think it is biased for you to attack another company while working for or owning one yourself. I don’t feel I can trust your judgment, and very disappointed. Sincerely, single-female
LA: I do work with a prefab homebuilder, and know how hard it is to do it. There are so many contradictions here, so much that does not add up, so many offices that don't seem to exist. I have been a very strong supporter of every real modern prefab builder in America but an aluminum frame does not a building make.
A company that wishes to correct the stereo type that prefab is BAD and CHEAP is a GOOD thing. Sounds like Jeriko is making high-end houses with proven engineering AND donating every 10th house AND contrubuting to New Orleans...what could possibly be wrong with that???
When I think of Pre-fab, I think of cheesy quality and low-end construction. What's wrong with what Jeriko is doing? They're staking a claim to broaden pre-fab and make it "luxury"...perhaps mainstream construction finds that threatening????
test
Perhaps main stream construction is concerned that Jeriko is building high-end homes that are environmentally sound using friendly and innovative engineering! What's wrong with Jeriko staking a claim to the high-end construction market using prefab? And if anyone took the time to read the article, Jeriko is moving in the direction a highly credible MIT study recommends!!! Think about that!
LA:I have thought about that. they simply say in their press release that " Recent research at MIT's Department of Architecture calls for future, environmentally friendly home construction standardization - with a focus on homebuyers becoming the designers at the center of the process by receiving tailored information about blueprints, products and services at the point of purchase." what is highly credible about that?
Jeriko's website has the appearance of a company wishing to create the impression that something exists when, in fact, it does not.
I am in the air conditioning business and can assure you this structure would be next to impossible to cool in Florida unless there is some sort of magic insulation we don't know about.
It has the appearance of a bad photoshop job.
Mike
Aluminum is VERY energy intensive to produce. Mitigating factors include cost-efficiency of transport to jobsite, ease of forming and folding, and the fact that it doesn't need painting nearly as often, if ever. I don't know if these factors are sufficient to mitigate the high energy intensity of electric smelting.
Also, aluminum windows insulate very well, when properly installed.
However, I imagine a most light-duty steel members these days are probably also smelted in electric minimills, at least in the US.
This article doesn't rise above the level of speculation and innuendo. Given the author's "research" appears to consist exclusively of using Google, it's no wonder there aren't any actual facts presented.
We are TomaHouse and are producing the Jeriko House Aluminium extrusions in Germany. Jeriko House is very real and has invested a major amount into R & D to accomplish their goals.
Next time reasearch better before making serious accusations.
LA; I know you and admire your work, and would never have posted my negative comments had you been listed as a participant. But you were not, and there were no links to do research.
I was going to say that that the interlocking, embedded plumbing/electricity aluminum framing sounded a lot like tomahouse.com (warning: lots of Flash on that site). It seems to be a really cool idea, and I hope they make tons of money doing it. I just wish the Jeriko site had more info/pics, etc., like the Toma site does.
Kithaus.com is somewhat similar but (I think) lacks the embedded utility systems.
Of course, all the embedded wiring/plumbing means less work for local trades. Sensible economies of scale may go too far, after all. When too many local home-building/fitting jobs are endangered, local politics start to whipsaw.
May explain all the permitting problems.
Lloyd,
Frank Thoma called me the other night and told me about the negative comments in your article. Thank you for reporting things properly and making the corrections on your post. I really appreciate it as we want to provide a great product and service in a clear and straight forward manner to the public.
As far as the charity or goodwill we describe in the release. As someone who quietly supports ministries and good causes all over the world I have learned that giving is contagious. New Orleans is going through a crucial period of recovery right now so my wife and I decided to become more vocal as to bring attention and hopefully encourage others to give. Sorry if anyone took it the wrong way as our intentions are pure.
Also, I would like to extend an invitation to you to attend either the setup, grand opening or both and will keep you updated once we have a firm start date. From start to finish the setup will typically take 3-4 weeks although this one may take longer because of how thorough we will be documenting every step.
In addition we will have a live webcast of the setup and implentation everyday for everyone to view.
Hopefully you will accept my personal invitation and I will see you in New Orleans soon.
God Bless You and have a great day,
Shawn Burst
Mr. Burst
I would also like to attend your grand opening. I have been considering this type of structure and am currently deciding on the company to do business with.