Press

RIALTO, California – November 21, 2019: Plant Prefab, the first prefabricated residential design and construction company dedicated to sustainable building, materials, processes and operations, is pleased to announce the Sunset BUD LivingHome series, a flexible accessory dwelling unit (ADU) system designed by Burdge Architects and presented in partnership with Sunset magazine.

Although the designs conform to state-wide ADU standards and can be installed anywhere, the Sunset BUD LivingHome series was conceived as a response to a special program created by the City of Malibu allowing victims of the 2018 Woolsey Fire to install ADUs as a temporary housing solution. A year later, and in the midst of an ever-threatening wildfire season, the units come not only as a timely solution to those who want reinhabit their property while their primary home is rebuilt, but also as a way to add lasting property value, as impeccably-designed permanent structures that can be later used as a guest house or office.

As leading design entities with strong roots in California, Plant Prefab and Malibu-based practice Burdge Architects are well positioned to address the problem of building sustainable housing following the destruction of the Woolsey Fire. In fact, Plant Prefab has already begun working in the region, and currently has twelve homes in development for victims of the Woolsey Fire.

The new LivingHome series offers an efficient and flexible housing solution for any ADU-compliant property, inside or outside of Malibu. The modular units can be configured to offer a range of housing sizes: studio (445 square feet), one bedroom plus studio (620 square feet), two bedroom plus studio (900 square feet), or two bedroom plus studio and garage (1200 square feet). The innovative designs are now available on plantprefab.com, with pricing starting at $315,000.

Known for partnering with vanguard architects and designers from Ray Kappe to Yves Béhar, this marks the first collaboration for Plant Prefab with Burdge Architects. The full-service design studio is now an official Plant Design Partner, expanding the ever-evolving portfolio of standard LivingHomes.

“This project gets to the heart of what our company stands for,” states Plant Founder and CEO Steve Glenn. “Not only does it provide immediate relief for local fire victims but it’s a pure reflection of Plant’s mission to provide well-designed, high-quality homes that are time and cost efficient to build, as well as healthy and sustainable. Burdge Architects were the perfect partner for this, not only because they are the leading architecture practice in Malibu, but because they are a member of the community, and have a keen understanding of the environment of the surrounding region.”

"The BUD series is uniquely scalable in size allowing customers to select the square footage that works for their needs in addition to being able to personalize the unit with their choice of finishes. By using modules you can piece together the perfect prefab home for you and your family," states Douglas W. Burdge, AIA. “Drawing from our extensive experience in the Malibu landscape, we conceptualized the series to be as fire-resistant as possible while at the same time exceptionally well designed.”

Central to the design of the Sunset BUD LivingHome units is a combination of functionality and superior craftsmanship. Aluminum siding, doors, and roofing create a fire-resilient exterior with a modern form. The interior design incorporates custom cabinetry, engineered European oak floors from Northern Wide Plank, and an Italian Murphy Bed for ample sleeping space in each unit. The bathroom is outfitted with Italian porcelain and German plumbing fixtures and the main living space has a unique pocket door for easy indoor-outdoor living.

Every Plant home is custom-built in the company’s 62,000-square-foot homebuilding factory to exacting quality standards, following a rigorous sustainability program that minimizes the negative impact on energy, water, indoor air quality, and material resources.

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ABOUT BURDGE ARCHITECTS
Douglas W. Burdge is an architect and entrepreneur based in Malibu, CA. His work in Malibu spans over 30 years with more than 300 projects in Malibu alone. In 2019, the Woolsey Fire harmed several of his clients’ homes. The devastation was a catalyst in a partnership with Plant Prefab to create a LivingHome.

Burdge’s design has evolved during the course of his practice. He’s as comfortable designing a Mediterranean-style home as he is a modern hotel. He has created breathtaking ocean-front retreats with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to reveal Malibu’s sweeping vistas. Coined by Malibu Magazine as “Malibu's Architect,” the name couldn’t be more true for another.

In addition to residential projects, Burdge and his team have designed award-winning boutique hotels, restaurants, shopping centers and private clubs. Projects have been featured in publications such as Architectural Digest, The Wall Street Journal, Veranda, Robb Report, Luxe and Traditional Home. In addition to receiving several "Home of the Year" PCBC Golden Nugget awards, his residential work in Sun Valley has consistently landed his firm on Mountain Living Magazine’s annual Top Mountain Architects & Interior Designers list.

Burdge graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Southern California. He is currently a member of the American Institute of Architects and the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art. The proud father of twin sons, Burdge currently resides in Malibu with his wife Laura, where they also own a popular home decor store, Malibu Beach House.

ABOUT SUNSET
Sunset shares the best of life in the West―from travel and food to home and garden―with an audience of more than 6 million. Sunset showcases the region’s unique lifestyle and noteworthy destinations, inspiring readers to achieve the dream of living in the West. Sunset.com is the West’s essential guide to all the best things about the region: easy outdoor living and gardening, unexpected day trips and destinations, fast and fresh foods, shockingly perfect wine pairings, and innovative home decorating and design.

ABOUT PLANT PREFAB
With a mission to make it faster and more cost-effective to build custom, high quality, healthy, single-family and multi-family homes, Plant Prefab is the first prefabricated residential design and construction company dedicated to sustainable building, materials, processes, and operations. All Plant projects are prefabricated in the company's 62,000-square-foot home factory in Rialto, CA, with a patented building system that reduces build time by at least 50% over traditional construction while minimizing construction's negative impact on energy, water, and resources. Clients can work with any architect they choose, or they can use Plant's award-winning, in-house design studio.

Plant is defining a new standard in residential home design and construction, helping individuals, architects and developers alike efficiently design and build high-quality, cost-efficient, healthy homes. Plant was funded by Amazon, Obvious Ventures, and others.