You'd be forgiven for thinking building a luxury home take months of planning and years of heavy lifting, when in fact new technology and building innovations mean designer properties can now be pre-built and put together in a matter of days, almost like IKEA furniture. From a prefabricated mansion in Pacific Palisades to a classical family home in London, welcome to the world of so-called 'flat-pack mansions'...
This incredible home by Plant Prefab can be found on a beautiful lot in the heart of Santa Monica, California. The eye-catching modern mansion was prefabricated as 11 individual modules and assembled on-site in just two days, saving the neighbours from months of construction noise and disruption.
Offering 4,700 square feet of inside space, the custom-designed home was inspired by architect Ray Kappa's LivingHome 1 model, which was the first home in the world to achieve LEED Platinum certification. With a distinctive mid-century modern aesthetic, the property boasts floor-to-ceiling glass, warm wooden elements and plenty of clean lines, resulting in a contemporary finish with endless wow-factor.
Inside, you'll find four bedrooms, four bathrooms and a striking open-plan living room that spans the entire width of the property. Complete with a lounge, dining zone and luxurious kitchen, this space is defined by its exposed construction materials, centralised concrete fireplace and wall-to-wall sliding doors. The state-of-the-art kitchen comes equipped with Caesarstone countertops, designer Miele appliances and an open seating area that spills out to the terrace.
As with all Plant Prefab homes, the property was designed with environmental sensitivity in mind, using sustainable construction techniques and materials at every stage. While the design process takes roughly 12 weeks, the fabrication and site work can be completed in as little as two months. Delivered in factory-made modules, your bespoke home will then be erected on your chosen plot in less than 48 hours, since most Plant homes are shipped 90% complete, with even appliances in place.
Upstairs, the tranquil master suite opens out to a private balcony with views to the Pacific Ocean and the low-maintenance backyard that comes kitted out with a plunge pool and raised spa. In 2020, the property landed on the market for the first time and came with a $8.6 million (£6.2m) price tag.
Of course, in order to make the most of the Californian climate, the home also boasts stunning exterior spaces, from which 360-degree views can be savoured. If you've fallen in love with the LivingHome 1 model, you can specify a turn-key version for just under $2.3 million (£1.6m) – and we're sure every single penny would be well spent...
Not all package homes are modern and adorned with sheets of glass, as this stunning classical mansion proves. This state-of-the-art eco kit home can be found in the London suburb of Northwood, but appears plucked from a historic country estate. When it comes to this pad, everything isn't quite as it seems...
Entirely unique, the spectacular spread blends contemporary styling with a more traditional, practical design that's suitable for a busy family. The overall aesthetic also needed to be sensitive to the historic homes found in the area, so a classical approach was adopted by the homeowners and the home's creators, Baufritz.
Offering ample interior space, the fusion residence comes complete with light-filled living areas, a striking double-height entrance hall and five luxurious bedrooms fit for VIPs. Many of the interior spaces also open up to sunny patios or shaded balconies, where views of the idyllic garden can be enjoyed.
Built in 2015, there are plenty of eye-catching details throughout the home. While the exterior features a bold Revivalist design, with sash windows and white stone pillars, the interior comes equipped with Art Deco-inspired balustrades, marble floors, oak details and black metal accents. There are numerous curved voids in the ceilings of each floor, too, allowing natural light to flood every space and offering a better connection between each living area.
The home also comes complete with a luxurious basement, fitted out with all the extras you would expect of a house of this scale. Here, you can find a home cinema, fitness room, sauna and playroom. There's also a discrete plant room that houses all the home's technology, including intelligent ventilation and air source heat pumps.
Amazingly, the shell of the mansion was built in just a few days, while the internal fit-out and final finishes took between six and eight months, resulting in a breathtaking house that is both state-of-the-art and overflowing with character.
This eye-catching modern home was designed and built by the timber frame experts at Potton, on what was a small and challenging plot. Richard and Chrissie Baker’s parcel of land measured just 98 feet by 98 feet (30x30m) and sloped awkwardly. The couple also wanted their new home to meet strict energy efficiency goals.
Built in 2014, the contemporary timber frame home offers a unique façade with sleek cladding and tonnes of glass, creating an elegant transition between inside and out. Inside, you'll find 3,068 square feet of space, arranged over three well-planned floors, including a large basement level.
With its contemporary Cubist design, the home offers a spacious lounge, a dining area and a kitchen that overlooks the garden. Upstairs, you'll find three bedrooms and two bathrooms, each with ample space.
Finished with high-end materials and a clean colour palette, this contemporary glass home allows the colours of the surroundings to take centre stage. Amazingly, the home was achieved for just $1,925 (£1.4k) per square metre and upon completion it had a value of $936,000 (£675k).
Thanks to its elevated layout, many of the living rooms offer idyllic views across the home's surroundings, while sliding glass walls open up to private balconies, allowing for an easy indoor-outdoor flow.
Despite its high-spec finish and ultra-modern design, the home was completed in record time. While digging the foundations and basement took around four months to complete, the home's timber frame was erected in just six days. How's that for speedy?
Whether you're looking to create a large family abode, or a more modest contemporary chalet, the Honka Lux log villa could be the perfect package home for you. Offering a collection of ready-made and bespoke home designs, Honka has been curating log cabins since 1958. Combining the ecological benefits of timber construction with the beauty of contemporary architecture, this Finnish company knows how to make durable, wow-factor residences.
Honka's new Luxe collection takes the company's style to new heights, offering space and sumptuous finishes in one. The sleek Scandinavian property covers a single storey and comes in six sizes, to suit all homeowners. The smallest model spans a generous 1,560 square feet, while the largest offers almost 2,500 square feet of living space, in either an I-, L- or U-shaped configuration.
The chic flat-pack property can also be entirely customised to suit the interior design needs of each individual buyer. In fact, there are three interior styles to choose from: Modern Wood, Boho and Industrial. Plus, everything from the internal materials to the furniture can be hand-picked, allowing you to create a one-of-a-kind home that suits your needs perfectly.
The pad comes kitted out with a stunning open-plan lounge, a dining zone and a modern kitchen, as well as a snug sitting room, numerous bathrooms and three bedrooms. Your new log cabin kit home will also come with a luxurious sauna, so you can truly disconnect from the world and soak up your surroundings.
Of course, you can also opt for an exterior terrace, complete with enough space for dining, lounging and even swimming. No matter which Luxe model you select, your package home will be formed from square logs that keep the cabin insulated and well-ventilated all year round – making Honka a perfect option for those living in places with extreme climates.
What's more, all of Honka’s luxury log houses are made from PEFC-certified Finnish pine, with a new tree planted for each one felled. Structures start at around €1,500 per square metre, or $1,765 (£1.3k), and their cabin kits can be shipped anywhere in the world in a matter of weeks. A modern and eco-friendly option, this luxurious flat-pack home can be made and delivered in as little as six weeks, before being slotted together by Honka's assembly team. What could be better than that?
With its 21-acre garden, ancient bluebell woodland, helipad, three-acre trout lake and tennis court, this factory-built home is more like a high-end holiday resort. The property was designed by the expert team at Huf Haus, who have been designing and building unique kit homes for over 100 years.
Located in the village of Plaistow, West Sussex, the 6,000-square-foot residence was constructed from Nordic spruce and sheets of glass, resulting in a unique aesthetic and a light-filled interior. Thanks to Huf's unique factory fabrication process, the luxurious property took just four months to design, install and finish. Yet, because of the manufacturing process, the erection of the actual structure took between one and two weeks.
The complete turn-key package, Huf Haus designed, made and constructed the property to the homeowner's unique specifications, designing spaces for work, rest and play. It comes complete with two home offices, a party room and a movie theatre, as well as a spacious double height reception room that overlooks the home's numerous exterior patios.
The construction and design of the house means it's low maintenance and running costs are surprisingly cheap, too. It's thought the property cost around $4.7 million (£3.5m) to build and no expense was spared. Huf built the house in Germany and shipped it to the UK on 16 lorries.
Built using the latest technology for better energy efficiency, the property is not only eye-catching but entirely sustainable. The party room with built-in bar (pictured), pool table, smoke machine and lasers would be ideal for night owls. The space opens up to the garden, where a seemingly endless lawn can be found.
The master bedroom features an ultra-high end suite, bespoke Jacuzzi, walk-in shower with his and hers amenities and luxury fittings. And you'll be waking up to a view, too. The remaining four double bedrooms all feature en suite bathrooms, two of which have mezzanine levels to make use of the abundance of space within the property. The house last sold in 2018 for $6.1 million (£4.5m), which comes as no surprise...
This pre-fabricated mansion can be found in glistening Pacific Palisades, California, and was curated by iconic architect Ray Kappe, Plant Prefab’s first design partner. Celebrated for his modern vision, clever construction techniques and environmental sensitivity, the late Kappe was responsible for producing some of the world’s most incredible kit homes – and this custom-made family retreat is just one of them.
Standing proud at 5,400 square feet, the ultra-modern glass home is formed from 10 individual Plant modules, which are essentially blocks the size of shipping containers, that can be slotted together in various shapes to create a one-of-a-kind home. Fabricated in a controlled factory setting, each module is expertly crafted and designed to withstand earthquakes, extreme weather conditions and even wildfires.
Built to last, and for speed, this stunning luxury home was constructed in no time at all. In fact, all Plant Prefab homes are delivered on-site 90% complete and can be erected in a single day. From design to delivery, the company can promise a two-week turnaround time, saving you on delays, costs and disruption for your neighbours, which makes this package home company perfect for anyone looking to achieve a flawless finish with minimal effort.
The five-bedroom house boasts six bathrooms and stunning open-plan living spaces that are flooded with natural light. Designed to make to most of Santa Monica’s enviable scenery, the hillside home benefits from walls of glass and plenty of indoor-outdoor spaces that offer unobstructed views.
There’s a chic lounge, a chef’s kitchen, a refined dining room, a family room and a home theatre – all perfect for entertaining. Luxurious extras include the home’s wine wall cabinet and integrated Sonos home automation.
Of course, the garden is every bit as stunning as the interior. Complete with sunbathing decks and a sunken pool, this is the ultimate space for maximising on California’s climate. With a LEED Platinum Rating, every Plant Prefab home is considered to be highly durable and promotes excellence in construction, performance and quality. The property was sold in October 2019 for a cool $7.4 million (£5.4m) – and it’s really no wonder...