GreenStay housing project promotes prefab homes

The GreenStay project, a brainchild of Skywalker Communications, gave the public on Saturday a first hand look at a prefabricated home, with the unveiling of a model unit at the Garapan Fishing Base.

The showroom tour began with participants filling out an intake poll “to get a better understanding of housing specifications and needs for the people living in the CNMI.”

The specifications included options for one bedroom to four bedrooms, one bathroom to three bathrooms, a “dirty kitchen” option, size options for a two bedroom from 500 square feet to 1,100 or above and size options for a three bedroom starting from 700 sq. ft. to 1,300 or above.

The intake poll did not offer any other option for home sizes but noted six options for “affordable range to pay”: from $60,000 to $80,000, $80,000 to $100,000, $100,000 to $120,000, $120,000 to $150,000 and $150,000 and above. For house furnishings, the options were for full furnishing, partial furnishing, no furnishing, and “others.”

According to showroom guide Cyril, all furnishings, including the module home, are imported directly from China. He stated that the lifespan of the home is up to 50 years, under the best circumstances and by following the proper care guide. He shared that Skywalker, which also does real estate business in China, will provide repair services for the module homes.

When asked to clarify whether the homes are made out of shipping containers, Cyril said the technology is similar but that the home is actually a steel frame.

“This is different. This is not a container. Containers can be easily bended but this is a steel frame,” he said.

When built for permanent use, the module home sits on a concrete footing, but the structure is still transportable and can be removed should a future homeowner need to move to a different parcel of land.

Cyril said the homes are not a new concept. They are found all over the world and are seen in many places in Asia and Europe.

He also explained that the module home uses polyurethane foam insulation. This insulation is fitted between the galvanized steel frame and wood-plastic wall panels. The exterior of the home is fitted with wood-plastic composite boards while the roof is made up of a separate corrugated steel frame that sits outside the steel frame shell, with asphalt adhesive shingles for heat proofing. The interior of the home is composed mostly of the same wood-plastic composite paneling.

He said the homes are energy efficient, durable, and “built to withstand harsh weather [to] protect all components inside,” that the homes “are weatherproof and can take a knock or two without significant damage,” and are resistant to fire, termites and mold. The home also feature typhoon-proof windows, heat preserving walls, a water heater and plumbing fixtures for washers and dryers.

Cyril stated that the homes themselves are much better than concrete homes because they are environmentally friendly.

He noted that the model house is between 900 to 1,000 sq. ft. inclusive of patio space and that the showroom is actually “smaller” than the actual size because the company wanted to quickly open the showroom to the public to get feedback.

He said the model home took two weeks to build, cost $40,000 for shipping and has an option for a two-story design.

Part of the GreenStay project is to create a modular home community complete with a mall, a hospital, a gym, a post office, a theater and a hotel.

When asked about financing options, he stated that interested clients would have to go through the bank for approval but that they are hoping for at least 30 to 50 unit purchases first to save on shipping and reduce costs. He said the unit is not yet available for low-income residents but that discussions with the government to provide low-income housing are ongoing, specifically for the homestead program, to provide housing in the future.

Cyril stated that a three-bedroom option is coming soon but that other design options are available for interested homeowners.

For more information on the homes, call 234-7942 or visit Suite 204 at the Marianas Business Plaza in Susupe.