FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe

In every issue you'll find...

  • Expert insights on techniques and principles
  • Unbiased tool reviews
  • Step-by-step details to master the job
  • Field-tested advice and know-how
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Subscribe
Houses By Design

Small Prefab With a Big Impact

This predesigned solution for an accessory dwelling unit has a contemporary and spacious interior that belies its small size.

By Janice Rohlf Issue 301 - Aug/Sept 2021
Photo: Brian McCloud

Alchemy’s lightHouses are a predesigned solution for ADUs (accessory dwelling units) used as replacement housing, cabins or guest houses, short-term rentals, home offices, or age-in-place dwellings. Plant Prefab, a California-based factory, executed this carefully crafted beta-prototype lightHouse to provide temporary accommodation while a larger house is built on the same lot.

The structure embraces the luxury of less with its spacious interior and contemporary specs and finishes including its unique exterior light with awning and ID plate. The simple but elegant kitchen has a solid white-oak storage shelf and a storage bench with movable backs that convert to sleeping space. A minimalist storage core contains the utilities, a washer/dryer, and a sprinkler system. The fully tiled bath has a zero-threshold shower, frameless glass panels, and a touchless faucet on a Dornbracht Alape sink.

Delivered as a complete prefabricated module, the envelope is very low energy, with exterior insulation and a sustainable cedar rainscreen skin. Alchemy’s lightHouse system complies with most city or county ADU guidelines. They are placed on permanent full, perimeter, or slab foundations and can be designed to be built atop a new garage structure.

kitchen
Photo: Brian McCloud
bedroom
Photo: Brian McCloud
bathroom
Photo: Brian McCloud

Designer Alchemy, alchemyarch.com  

Builder Plant Prefab, plantprefab.com

Location Sebastopol, Calif.   

Photographer Brian McCloud

From Fine Homebuilding #301


RELATED LINKS

  • The Barn—A Unique ADU
  • Energy-Efficient Prefab Homes
  • Twin Peaks Passivehaus + ADU

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
×

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

View Comments

  1. [email protected] | Jul 26, 2021 01:09pm | #1

    Is there any pricing info?

  2. glenbridge | Jul 26, 2021 01:45pm | #2

    Here’s an example of efficient space planning
    within 400 sq.ft.

  3. [email protected] | Jul 27, 2021 09:30pm | #3

    So I love everything FHB but this article is just flat out bad. I emailed Alchemy about the 600SF lightHouse option and the response was "between $200-$250K." Let's call it $225K. That's $375/sf.

    In the same issue, editor Brian Pontolilo laments that where FHB "fails most" is to "promote more affordable housing." This article is proof positive that Brian is right!

    Modest suggestion: In the October or November issue, publish an article about *affordable* prefab options for the 99.9%.

    1. jonah_williams | Aug 11, 2021 10:04am | #4

      Well said, dackdotcom!!! $375/sf is absolute INSANITY in the "affordable" context. Great references and suggestions as well. Much like an older article titled "A Kitchen for The Rest Of Us" I'd love to see "A New Build for The Rest of Us" catering to the majority work class demographic.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

More Houses By Design

View All
  • Combining Design Aesthetics for an Island Home
  • Modern and Geometric Home in New England
  • Innovative Design in Affordable Housing
  • Sustainable Home in the Twin Cities
View All

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Trip-Saving Tool Hauler

This combination wheelbarrow and dolly from Worx shines as a tool cart.

Featured Video

Micro-Adjust Deck-Baluster Spacing for an Eye-Deceiving Layout

No math, no measuring—just a simple jig made from an elastic band is all you need to lay out a good-looking deck railing.

Related Stories

  • Estimates, Bids, and Proposals in Residential Building
  • Podcast 535: Members-only Aftershow — Architectural Styles
  • Podcast 531: Member's-only Aftershow — ADUs Are a Solution
  • Editorial Note: Building New is Easy

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Video

View All
  • Podcast 535: Members-only Aftershow — Architectural Styles
  • Podcast 530: PRO TALK With Architecture Student Phillip Schladweiler
  • Podcast 524: PRO TALK With Design Department Manager Candice Rania
  • Balancing Design and High-Performance Construction
View All

Storage

View All Storage Articles
  • An image of the cabinet pullout next to an image of the maxx drawer system
    Clever Kitchen Storage Solutions
  • A custom closet with two sides and shelves in between
    A Custom Closet Remodel
  • A photo of several white storage boxes in a wood wall
    Minimalist, Wall-Mounted Bathroom Storage
  • JPM Construction Outbuilding
    Adding a Multipurpose Outbuilding
View All Storage Articles

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • 2022 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition
    Buy Now
  • 2023 Tool Guide
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 313 - Feb/March 2023
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
    • Fine Homebuilding Issue #313 Online Highlights
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
  • Issue 312 - Dec 2022/Jan 2023
    • Tool Test: Cordless Tablesaws
    • Gray-Water System for a Sustainable Home
    • Insulate a Cape Roof to Avoid Ice Dams
  • Issue 311 - November 2022
    • 7 Steps to a Perfect Exterior Paint Job
    • Options for Smarter Home-Energy Tracking
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: James Metoyer
  • Issue 310 - October 2022
    • Choosing a Tile-Leveling System
    • Choosing Between HRVs and ERVs
    • Custom Built-in Cabinets Made Easy
  • Issue 309 - Aug/Sept 2022
    • 10 Steps to Install Crown Molding on Cabinets
    • How to Get Sturdy Walls Without OSB
    • Choosing the Right Construction Tape for the Job

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in