This California ADU Builder Minimizes Waste by Taking a Whole-Tree Approach

Welcome to Prefab Profiles, an ongoing series of interviews with people transforming how we build houses. From prefab tiny houses and modular cabin kits to entire homes ready to ship, their projects represent some of the best ideas in the industry. Do you know a prefab brand that should be on our radar? Get in touch!

Aram Terry and Olin Cohan met a little more than a decade before they decided to go into business together. They were living in Nicaragua as part of the Peace Corps, and bonded over the unique experience they shared away from home.

"I’m from Sonoma County in Northern California, and Aram is from Nashville, and we both had never seen anything like it," Cohan says. "We were struck by the people, the lush nature, the amazing landscapes, and the vibrant culture."

They also witnessed firsthand the complexity of deforestation in the country. "The reality is that people there are creating cattle farms just to make ends meet," Cohan says. "Burning down the forest allows them to create the land they need to farm. If creating forests would put food on the table, then everyone would plant trees."

To help reforest, Terry purchased land in Nicaragua and began planting trees. Later, he and Cohan started making furniture using wood harvested from the property, but realized it was creating waste. "We teamed up again because we wanted to make another product to utilize the entire tree," Cohan says.

In 2021, Terry and Cohan launched Masaya Homes, a prefab ADU builder with models ranging from 120 square feet to 1,200 that utilizes as much wood of a tree as possible. "We wanted to improve every aspect of creating a home—not just the materials and construction but the product as a whole," Cohan says. These structures are made from solid teak that’s grown on their farm, where they employ hundreds of workers to sustainably cultivate trees into building materials.

Below, Terry and Cohan share more about Masaya’s prefabs, the company’s production methods, and its sustainable-design ethos.

What’s the most exciting project you’ve realized to date?

So far, it has to be Scott and Suzanne’s project. They live in Marin, California, and came to us during the height of the pandemic because they needed additional space for an aging parent. They did not want to move them into assisted living, and they needed a solution fast. We were still in the process of developing our bigger living units, so we designed a custom 300-square-foot dwelling linking two M1 Studios together.

Scott and Suzanne are mindful of the importance of focusing their purchasing power on companies and products that have high social and environmental impact. They did not want to design and build conventionally, knowing that not only would it take too long, but would also create construction waste. They also didn’t want to sacrifice design integrity and quality with a speedy process, either, and we met their goals on timing and environmental impact.

We believe that true sustainability with a product is founded around reforestation efforts, design that blends in with the natural environment, and a non-invasive installation that is completed swiftly and virtually waste-free.

What does your base model cost and what does that pricing include?

The M1 Studio starts at $49,500, fully installed. Complete living units like the M3 and up, start at $179,000. These units include all the base necessities, like a fully outfitted kitchen, bathroom, and storage space.

What qualities make your prefab stand apart from the rest?

Material and durability is the simple answer. Each unit is handcrafted from reforested teak, which is naturally weathered and pest-resistant. The wood is grown in our own forests, which are reforestation projects, and we preserve around 40 percent of old growth for flora and fauna to thrive. We offer a product at the same price as conventional construction but it’s made entirely of a superior material, with furniture-grade finishes.

Where is the prefab currently available?

We are currently available in all of California.

Is your design currently pre-permitted in any U.S. municipalities?

Current designs are not pre-permitted. All of our designs are permit-ready, with structural plans, calculations, Title 24, and CalGreen documentation. Our pre-construction team works directly with clients to develop the site plan and coordinate the permitting process in multiple jurisdictions throughout California.

Are there plans to expand to different parts of the country, and the world?

If we can continue to grow more forests, absolutely. We are installing a custom 1,100-square-foot unit in Nashville, and we’ve done a 560-square-foot unit in Portland, Oregon, as well. We are also interested in partnering with developers or hospitality projects. There are many types of landscapes that we would love to explore and see how the designs would complement them.

How long can a client expect the process to take after they put down a deposit?

It takes around six months, depending on the unit and complexities of the construction site. We spend a lot of time designing and thinking about the building part of the process, and we do not want to disturb more than absolutely necessary when we’re building in communities. So, we prefabricate the entire unit and flatpack it using a panelized system.

This way the actual building part after arrival is fast and doesn’t need the heavy machinery you would normally see around construction sites. Furthermore, we can proceed with manufacturing the wood unit while permitting, foundations, and other site work is taking place, which further speeds up the process.

What aspects of an install do you manage?

We take care of it all: permitting, site prep, utility connections, foundations, and installation. The units get delivered as turnkey products.

What aspects of the design can a client customize?

We offer a base and an upscaled package for all appliances and fixtures. You can also make the walls, floors, and kitchen completely your own by choosing the finish color.

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