Regional housing experts have successfully implemented the first prototype of a new housing model in the Commonwealth. Frontier Housing has constructed the first Dream Build style home in Salt Lick. The method uses different types of modular boxes to create a finished home.
Homeowners can choose the 12 by 24 boxes they want to include and the layout they will be placed in. Then, Frontier Housing construction officials lay the foundation, and slide the house into place box by box. Tod Barhorst is the Director of Construction for Frontier Housing. He said building houses this way will prove to be useful.
“We think it’s just the way to go as far as mass production. It will help out a lot in disaster recoveries when they need homes and need new equipment. We can do that supply,” said Barhorst.
Tom Manning-Beavin, President and CEO of Frontier Housing, said the goal of building like this is to lower costs.
“For a house that’s this size, a house that’s 1152 square feet, an expected energy bill well under $100 a month. All electric. We really believe in creating energy efficiency so that there’s savings baked into the structure,” said Manning-Beavin.
In addition to utility costs, officials said these homes will cost less to produce than a traditional house.
Manning-Beavin said there are plans to add a portal to the Frontier website where homeowners can place Dream Build boxes in any configuration that suits them. He adds the portal will also show the price of the selected boxes, materials, and construction pricing.
Along with the prototype, two more homes are being built in Salt Lick. Continued construction of these buildings will take place across Frontier Housing’s 22 county service area.
More information on the dream build project, and Frontier Housing’s mission, can be found here.