Prefab ADUs in Vermont: Real-Life Examples of Healthy, Sustainable Living by New Frameworks
At New Frameworks, our prefab ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) are not just quick and easy solutions—they are the result of decades of research, practical experience, and evidence-based design rooted in natural building science. These homes represent our understanding of what a healthy, sustainable living environment can truly be: spaces that take care of you, your community, and the planet.
In a world where speed and profit too often override care and quality, we choose another path—one that honors depth over haste, relationships over transactions, and craft over convenience. Our prefab ADUs are built with intention, shaped by the collective wisdom of builders, architects, and community members who envision housing not as a product, but as a shared resource for long-term wellbeing.
Prefab ADUs are growing in popularity across Vermont, and for good reason. With streamlined timelines, cost efficiencies, and reduced environmental impacts compared to traditional builds, prefab ADUs allow homeowners to expand their living spaces responsibly. At New Frameworks, we've taken prefab ADUs a step further by using natural, carbon-smart materials like straw-based panels, high-performance building assemblies, and low-toxicity finishes.
Today, we'd love to introduce you to some real-life examples of New Frameworks prefab ADUs across Vermont, and explore what makes each of them uniquely compelling.
Cabañita 300: Winooski, Vermont
Our Cabañita 300 model in Winooski is a perfect example of how small spaces can feel expansive, welcoming, and deeply rooted in care for both people and the earth. This 300-square-foot prefab ADU serves as a peaceful home-office and extra space to host guests in a Winooski neighborhood.
In this project, the Cabañita 300 was designed as a dedicated home office, allowing the homeowner to work remotely in a space that fosters focus and well-being. Separated from the main house, this prefab ADU offers privacy and calm, essential for deep work and creativity. With abundant natural light, breathable materials, and sound-deadening insulation, it acts as a healthier alternative to standard office spaces while supporting the rhythms of a home-based lifestyle.
Built with our straw-structural insulated panels (S-SIPs), the Cabañita 300 (and all of our models) offers excellent thermal insulation, keeping energy costs low and indoor comfort high. Natural plasters on the interior walls help regulate humidity, improve indoor air quality, and create a beautiful, tactile living environment. With large operable windows, this prefab ADU brings in abundant daylight and fresh air—promoting both mental and physical well-being.
Cabañita 300+: Burlington, Vermont
Just a few miles away, our Cabañita 300+ model in Burlington demonstrates how a few additional elements in a prefab ADU can serve multiple needs without sprawling into unnecessary excess. This upgraded design features a small kitchenette and full bathroom, making it ideal for a guest suite or cozy rental unit.
This project qualified for the VHIP (Vermont Housing Improvement Program) grant, a testament to how prefab ADUs can also serve as tools for broader social impact. Through the VHIP program, the homeowner was able to offset costs while contributing to Vermont's affordable housing stock—a small yet powerful act of solidarity in a system that rarely makes space for everyone.
Customization was a major priority for this project. The exterior features natural wood siding, painted in a vibrant low-VOC yellow with an electric blue door—reflecting the radiant style of the homeowners. Like all our prefab ADUs, this Cabañita 300+ is built for longevity, low maintenance, and low environmental impact—a home designed to stand in solidarity with the future, not at its expense.
Terra 600: Burlington, Vermont
Our Terra 600 prefab ADU in Burlington brings together modern design and deep ecological responsibility. At around 600 square feet, the Terra is larger than our Cabañita models, offering one flex space/bedroom, a full kitchen, full bath, mudroom, and a comfortable living space.
In this case, the Terra was built to support a transitioning family as they navigated a time of change. Whether welcoming new family members, shifting job situations, or needing short-term housing flexibility, this prefab ADU can become a vital part of one’s journey—offering space for reconnection, privacy, and rest. It's a reminder that buildings aren't just structures; they can be active participants in the story of a family finding its next chapter.
The Terra features locally milled Vermont maple hardwood flooring, a stunning Valhalla Lifetime mineral-based finish on the exterior siding, and a color palette that gives it the feel of a modern Nordic retreat—right in a Burlington backyard.
Árbol 1200: Hinesburg, Vermont (Coming Summer 2025!)
The Árbol 1200 in Hinesburg is being built for a family committed to living closely with the land on their small farm. With 1,200 square feet, this prefab unit will serve as their primary home—a place where they can grow food, raise animals, and steward the land while living lightly in a high-performance, natural building. The design supports both their daily rhythms and long-term ecological values, providing ample space for gathering, rest, and reconnection with the land.
This year, we're thrilled to be putting up the Árbol 1200 in Hinesburg—our largest prefab home (not quite an ADU!) to date. At 1,200 square feet, it provides enough space for a full family home, with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and generous communal spaces.
The Árbol 1200 showcases everything we value at New Frameworks: carbon-smart materials, a building envelope designed for durability and efficiency, and a deep commitment to occupant health. Like all of our prefab ADUs, it will be assembled quickly thanks to the precision fabrication of our panels, reducing on-site disruption and construction waste—because building should never come at the cost of the living world.
Agua 400: Bristol, Vermont (Coming Fall 2025!)
Also breaking ground this year is the Agua 400 in Bristol, a 400-square-foot prefab ADU designed as an ADA-accessible home for one of the homeowners’ mothers. Created with aging in place and intergenerational living in mind, the unit features a ramp, a zero-entry living space, ADA-accessible cabinetry, sinks, and showers, and a thoughtful single-level layout that prioritizes mobility and independence. This project is a testament to the ways prefab ADUs can foster stronger family ties while honoring the dignity and needs of aging family members.
Why Choose a New Frameworks Prefab ADU in Vermont?
Healthier Homes: Every New Frameworks prefab ADU is built with indoor health in mind. We use natural plasters, zero-VOC paints, and straw-based panels that emit no harmful chemicals. Our homes help you breathe easier—literally.
Superior Comfort: With our super-insulated walls, airtight construction, and high-quality windows, New Frameworks prefab ADUs maintain consistent indoor temperatures with minimal energy input. You’ll experience fewer drafts, more even heating and cooling, and an overall more comfortable living environment.
Durability Built In: Vermont’s weather can be tough. That’s why our prefab ADUs are designed for resilience. Natural plasters, robust framing systems, durable sidings, and metal roofs mean your New Frameworks ADU will stand the test of time with minimal maintenance.
Sustainability You Can Feel Good About: From the start, we’ve made it our mission to build homes that heal—not harm—the planet. Our prefab ADUs use carbon-storing straw, sustainably harvested wood, and energy-efficient systems to significantly reduce their carbon footprint. And because prefab construction reduces waste and improves quality, every New Frameworks ADU treads more lightly on the earth.
See Related: Blog - Building for The Future: New Frameworks’ Carbon Storing Straw-Structural Insulated Panels to learn how we build structures with a net-negative carbon footprint.
Growing the Future of Prefab ADUs in Vermont
At New Frameworks, we see prefab ADUs not just as buildings, but as an opportunity to imagine a different way of living—one rooted in mutual care, sustainability, and equity. Whether it's the charming Cabañita 300 in Winooski or the soon-to-rise Árbol 1200 in Hinesburg, each project reflects our belief that building homes can (and should) be an act of resilience and care.
Interested in bringing a New Frameworks prefab ADU to your Vermont property? We'd love to collaborate with you in dreaming, designing, and building a more beautiful, just, and sustainable future. Contact us today to learn more about our prefab ADU models and start your journey toward a healthier home.
