Prefab Systems and Innovations

Prefab Systems and Innovations
17:16

VISION House Transcend’s high-performance, sustainable design offers a glimpse of the future of homebuilding.

It’s the quiet and comfort that you notice first when you enter the VISION House Transcend, nestled in the San Juan Mountains near Lake City, Colorado. Designed for resilience in any climate, this net-zero energy, sustainably built, all-electric, solar-powered and generally ultra-healthy house relies upon building science and various innovative products to support the physical and mental wellbeing of residents. 

The Transcend Series of modular homes, developed through a partnership between Green Builder Media and Dvele, a California-based prefab homebuilder, is configurable for the topography of any site, along with a homebuyer’s lifestyle, climate zone, needs and preferences. Commitment to sustainability provides the foundation for every feature, fixture and design element of each Transcend modular home.

In Colorado, the VISION House Transcend rests on a serene site among pine and aspen trees with mountain and river views. Each feature in this modular home fits the location and the mission to create an example of the future of housing. 

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Factory-Built for Resilience and Efficiency

From its beginning in Dvele’s California factory, the VISION House Transcend demonstrates that airtight, precision construction techniques result in a house that stands up to natural disasters and everyday impacts of climate change. Dvele uses light gauge steel framing and layers in materials and products that contribute to the home’s resilience to wildfires, high winds, earthquakes and storm damage.

Dvele prefabricates recycled light-gauge steel panels in its factory, which reduces embodied energy by 20 percent (80 percent when compared to a code-built foundation). The foundation system utilizes magnesium oxide panels that absorb CO2 in the curing process, making it a carbon-negative product. Magnesium oxide has the same sheer strength as plywood and is impervious to insects. The walls are mold and mildew resistant and waterproof. 

The VISION House Transcend includes high-performance barriers from PROSOCO that make building envelopes waterproof and airtight, which increases energy efficiency and results in lower heating and cooling costs. Extreme weather-resistant materials such as Prosoco Joint & Seam Filler, FastFlash and AirDam are durable, sustainable and comply with all VOC regulations. 

ROCKWOOL’s Comfortboard 80 rigid thermal insulated sheathing is installed under the slab in the crawl space to provide thermal comfort and reduced energy consumption. 

The company’s stone wool insulation, made from natural volcanic rock and recycled steel slag, is fire resistant, water repellent and vapor permeable for high drying potential, as well as sound absorbent for acoustic comfort. AFB evo, a lightweight acoustical fire batt stone wool insulation, is installed in the interior wall cavity to reduce sound transmission and protect against fire. 

Lighter-weight yet durable, fire-resistant and mold-resistant Sheetrock Brand EcoSmart panels are installed for the walls and ceiling from the USG portfolio of products. The drywall is a lightweight gypsum board with the same performance and strength capabilities as standard Sheetrock, but with a lower environmental impact and weight. 

The panels have up to 21 percent lower global warming potential and 22 percent less weight to reduce transportation fuel consumption by 20 percent. The gypsum core is encased with 100 percent recycled paper, and the product is low-VOC emitting. In addition, the panels are noncombustible and fire resistant for added safety.

The exterior of the house features Delta Millworks Lunawood ThermoWood, which is grown and strengthened for nearly 80 years in the harsh climate of Scandinavia. The product is thermally modified using heat and steam with zero chemicals. Lunawood provides an attractive appearance and is dimensionally stable, weather resistant and durable.

Today’s homebuyers want plenty of natural light and indoor-outdoor connectivity, which can come at the cost of energy efficiency without careful attention to glass installation. 

The VISION House Transcend includes triple pane large-expanse windows and doors from Arq-Espacio. The tilt-and-turn windows have a double seal and a multiple point locking system for a tight seal to prevent energy loss. The sliding glass doors have a lift-and-slide system that seals the perimeter of the sash against the framing for greater efficiency. Arq-Espacio also utilizes unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (UPVC), a recycled and recyclable material that contains additives and stabilizers that allow it to withstand ultraviolet radiation, temperature change and salinity that is also fire retardant. 

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The VISION House Transcend includes Arq-Espacio triple-pane, large-expanse windows with a double seal and a multiple point locking system to prevent energy loss.


Self-Powered Home

Dvele and Green Builder Media take a conservation-first approach to energy consumption to withstand heat waves and frigid temperatures. Transcend homes are designed to be 87 percent more energy efficient than the typical new home. The addition of solar power and storage results in a self-powered home that can withstand power outages and brownouts.

JinkoSolar’s PV and storage system, with 26kw of battery storage, ensures carbon-free power production day and night to make this home resilient and self-sufficient. Their Eagle modules are certified to withstand humidity, rain, salt, wind, hail and snow –the thicker back sheet results in fewer failures and less damage. 

The Eagle PV panels minimize white space between cells for a boosted wattage. The Eagle RS DC-coupled battery storage system has off-gas detection, battery monitoring and an app for current and historical usage. The home is anticipated to produce 20 percent to 30 percent more power than it uses.

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JinkoSolar’s Eagle PV panels withstand extreme weather, minimize white space between cells for a boosted wattage, and may help the home produce 20 percent to 30 percent more power than it uses.


For increased energy efficiency, water conservation and safety, the Transcend home features Uponor AquaPEX Plumbing and AquaSAFE Fire Sprinkler Systems, as well as its Radiant Floor Heating and Cooling systems. Through Uponor Logic, the plumbing systems deliver water where it’s needed quickly and efficiently to cut down on unnecessary pipe lengths and wasted water due to poor hot-water delivery times. Grundfos, the world’s largest manufacturer of pumps, supplied super-efficient pumps for the well, water systems and HVAC at VISION House Transcend. 

The Uponor radiant heating and new radiant cooling systems are inherently efficient by using larger surfaces to distribute the energy needed. Lower supply water temperatures in heating and higher supply water temperatures for cooling optimize the efficiency of heat-pump technology. Radiant systems also contribute to a healthy home. Because radiant systems don’t use fans or blowers, they cut down on dust and allergens circulating throughout the home. 

Hot water is supplied via Rheem’s Proterra electric water heater.

For water conservation and quality, Transcend includes LIXIL’s water saving products and technologies. 

The GROHE water-saving dual flush system with DXV wall-mounted toilet, low-flow Rainshower head and SmartControl shower thermostat, combined with American Standard’s ADA-compliant sinks, elevate the bathroom experience. 

The GROHE SmartControl Thermostatic Trim in the shower automatically dials the temperature to the previously set target temperature to reduce the water and energy wasted when trying to find the right temperature. This shower also has a button to shut off or reduce water flow when lathering or shaving to save water. In the kitchen, the Grohe Blue sink and water system delivers filtered, still or sparkling water.

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The GROHE dual flush system, featuring the DXV wall-mounted toilet provides homeowners with exceptional water conservation and quality.


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American Standard’s ADA-compliant sinks compliment any bathroom design, save water, and ultimately cut the homeowner’s monthly bill.


The local utility, Gunnison County Electric Association (GCEA) and its power supplier, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, have made VISION House Transcend a case study of a high-performance, energy-efficient home. The associations are interested in data surrounding demand-side energy management, time of use pricing, and peak load shifting so they can fully understand the best path forward, including proper rebates and programs surrounding energy efficiency. 

According to GCEA, 46 percent of its wholesale power bill is generated in six hours each year (only 30 minutes each month), so the utility has increased the cost of energy during peak hours to limit energy use during times when electricity is in highest demand and most expensive.

The high-performance house provides wellness benefits in addition to reduced energy consumption.

Healthy Living in a Prefab Home

Healthy minds and bodies depend on fresh air, good sleep and a calm atmosphere, all of which are enhanced with products and systems in the VISION House Transcend. The Dvele IQ smart home system includes multiple sensors for indoor air quality (IAQ), leak detection, water management, and heating and air conditioning systems that can help homeowners manage their properties in normal circumstances and during extreme weather conditions.

Broan-NuTone’s Overture system uses sensors and plugs that measure moisture, CO2, Total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) and temperature technology to monitor a home’s air. Additionally, the home will have the Broan AI Series ERV, which brings fresh, filtered air into the house while removing stale, polluted air. 

The ventilation system runs 24/7. The Broan ERV system functions as a heat exchange, which reduces the amount of energy needed to keep the home comfortable. 

Meanwhile, filtered air is distributed to living and sleeping areas in the house, while air that has moisture, odors and possible toxins from inside the house is extracted from the kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room and garage. When the outdoor air quality is poor, such as when humidity levels are extremely high or when smoke is in the air from wildfires, the automated ERV system can stop importing air from outside. 

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Broan-NuTone’s Overture system uses sensors and plugs that measure moisture, CO2, total volatile organic compounds and temperature technology to monitor a home’s air quality.


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Broan-NuTone’s efficient energy recovery ventilation (ERV) system keeps the home comfortable and healthy.


For better IAQ when cooking, the Broan (RMP 17004) 30-inch Range Hood Insert, a quiet system connected to the Overture system, clears away toxins and smoke.

Homeowners are more likely to use a quiet range hood, but sometimes homes need some “happy” noise. 

Studies show that music can bring families together, lift spirits and improve concentration. Sonos products at VISION House Transcend include soundbars, portable speakers and in-ceiling speakers connected by a Wi-Fi system, such as the Sonos Amp, an in-wall or in-ceiling speaker that when combined creates a surround sound experience. 

Move by Sonos will be mounted on an outside wall to bring music to all parts of the house. The products include Ray and Beam soundbars, the Sonos One and Roam portable speakers, and the Arc soundbar with a sub.

Home Bells and Whistles

The healthy, self-powered VISION House Transcend also showcases sustainable fixtures and finishes that enhance the home’s comfort and beauty. 

The house includes two doors from TruStile’s collection of interior medium-density fiberboard (MDF) doors, which are third-party Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) certified to contain at least 69 percent pre-consumer recycled wood. Their no-added formaldehyde MDF material and low-VOC adhesives and primers contribute to better IAQ and a healthier home and environment. 

The Tru Modern Infinite Rail TMR3001 has vertical and horizontal kerf cuts or inlays, drawing your eyes to the sleek door. 

In addition, VISION House Transcend has a custom door with a stacked rail style with kerf cuts and glass inserts that allow light to flow through the door without compromising privacy.

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The VISION House Transcend has a custom door with glass inserts that allow light to flow through the door without compromising privacy.


The home will feature Savona handcrafted hickory floors by CRAFT in neutral light gray and beige tones that blend with the surrounding Aspen trees. The CRAFT Elite Grade Hickory used at VISION House Transcend is put through a multi-step, specialized color treatment process to create a light grey tone without changing the wood’s natural beauty. 

CRAFT floors are made from North American wood and are chain-of-custody certified to be legal, responsible and traceable back to a sustainably managed forest. Additionally, all CRAFT floors have a Declare label and are rated Red List Free, certified to GREENGUARD Gold and covered by a Product-specific, Type III EPD.

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Savona handcrafted hickory floors by CRAFT undergo a multi-step, specialized color treatment process to create a light tone without changing the wood’s natural beauty.


Pebble gray cabinets in the kitchen from Norelco Cabinets complement the neutral floors. The Slab Melamine with AGT Soft Touch Matte panels offer superior surface quality that protects against scratches, is anti-fingerprint and extremely durable. Micro scratches on the surface are easily repairable through an innovative at-home thermal process. 

Norelco Cabinets, based in Canada, uses premium quality material sourced from North America and Europe that improves global sustainability. The cabinets used throughout the project fulfill the requirements regarding formaldehyde emissions according to the EPA and California Air Resources Board Regulations. All AGT material is produced with a low emission value and a zero-waste policy.

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Pebble gray cabinets from Norelco Cabinets offer superior surface quality that protects against scratches, is anti-fingerprint and extremely durable.


Layalite, one of Caesarstone’s new nature-inspired designs, is a biophilic design with pure white quartz counters with gray veining in a honed finish that adds light in the kitchen. The naturally occurring raw quartz has been transformed through Caesarstone’s pioneering advanced technology. Since quartz countertops are the hardest stone surfaces, they are nonporous, hygienic and stain, heat and scratch resistant.

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Caesarstone’s Layalite is a biophilic design with pure white quartz that adds light in the kitchen.


Dacor manufactures energy and water efficient, high-performance products. Appliances include Dacor’s 24-inch Dishwasher Modernist Collection, 36-inch Induction Cooktop, 30-inch Combi Wall Oven Contemporary Style and 36-inch Counter Depth French Door Fridge. The Samsung energy-efficient laundry equipment includes its 2.2 cubic foot Capacity Front Load Washer with Super Speed and the 4.0 cubic foot Capacity Heat Pump Dryer with Sensor Dry

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The VISION House Transcend includes several Dacor appliances, such as a highly energy efficient, electric 36-inch Induction Cooktop.


The bathrooms feature GROHE and American Standard fixtures from LIXIL that offer water-saving technology. 

Daltile’s Uniform Concrete large-format 24-by-24-inch tile floors in white and 2-by-2-inch Keystone Mosaics porcelain tiles in Suede Gray are waterproof, slip resistant, stain proof, dent proof, fire resistant and easily cleanable. The selected styles also contain pre- and post-consumer recycled material and are free from VOCs, PVCs, formaldehyde and allergens.

Lee Industries’ beds, chairs and couches at the VISION House Transcend are sustainable, healthy and handcrafted in the U.S. Lee Industries works with local suppliers, which cuts down on transportation costs and CO2 emissions, and requires all vendors to have a Code of Conduct. Lee manufactures upholstery that features soy-based cushions, fibers made from recycled plastic, organic fabrics for upholstery, and springs made from 80 percent recycled metal.

Now that the VISION House Transcend is installed on its mountain site, Dvele and Green Builder Media look forward to monitoring the home’s performance and sharing the insights from the project with building professionals and consumers.

Read all about the VISION House Transcend project here.