Sometimes the shape of the building lot dictates the shape of a home. This cool looking site-built home, designed by California-based Office of Mobile Design, is a manifestation of OMD’s SwellHouse design. The prefab’s construction features a modular grid of exposed steel columns and beams that create 3,130 sf of graciously open live-work space.

The SIP (Structural Insulated Panel) system of prefabricated wall and roof panels provides this hacienda with modular structural stability, plus thermal and acoustic insulation. The SIP panels were assembled remotely, trucked to the site, and set in place manually.

This home is separated into two buildings – the main house, and a garage with a second floor recording studio. The two structures frame a courtyard. Two existing mature palm trees, and the small lot’s setbacks determined the placement of the structures.

Ceilings are high and the steel ‘I’ beams are exposed on the interior. The home’s rectangular shape and framing allow for plenty of sliding glass. A radiant tube heat system warms the concrete floor at the first floor.