Buying a home is expensive business. Looking to become first-time homeowners, architect William Samuels and his wife decided to take a different tack. “When we looked at the market, the only homes within our price range were in poor shape,” williamsamuelsarchitects explains. “So we decided to build our own.” Of course, finding the right home isn’t the only hurdle: The couple wasn’t able to afford land in the first place. William quickly put together a $96K plan to rent land and design a prefab to place there. And in the future—when they eventually do buy land—the couple can easily relocate the home by unbolting the volumes, transporting them by trailer, and bolting them back together. For William, the home is not only functional for his young family, but also serves as a model for future clients. “The most satisfying part is the proof of concept. Although small, the home is extremely livable,” he says. “It’s made me more confident to advocate for smaller spaces. I believe building smal...