Based in Akron, Ohion, Alside Homes was a manufacturer of prefabricated homes in the mid century. So why haven’t you heard of them before? Find out more about the brief and fascinating history of Alside Homes.
Alside Homes’ Grand Prefab Plans
Due to the company’s short existence, information on the company isn’t easy to find. Former homeowners of the Frost House researched and culled through digital archives of mid century house and home publications at US Modernist to find what they could. They’ve also collected information independently.
Architect Emil Tessin designed the headquarters for Alside Homes Corp in Akron, Ohio in 1958. According to the timeline here, Tessin became the Vice President and Chief Designer, and there was some buzz in the press about the company’s plans for prefabricated houses. The patent for the prefabricated home design was approved, and plans for 22 models made a splash in the press. However, by 1964, the company was done for. The cost of producing the homes outpaced sales. While the homes were lauded in the press for their design and innovation, there were likely several factors at play for why they did not sell enough to make the experiment successful, including the difficulty of finding lots large enough for the homes.
It’s unclear how many of Alside Homes’ prefab houses were sold. The Frost House reports they’ve identified 26 thus far. (See their list here.)
The Frost House
While Alside Homes as a company did not succeed, the Frost House remains a stylish legacy and embodiment of the vision. Hallmarks of Mid Century Modern style—clean lines, floor-to-ceiling windows and an indoor-outdoor connection make this home a treasure for any MCM fan. It’s made an appearance in several publications, including the cover story of the fall 2021 issue of Atomic Ranch!
To see more of the Frost House, check out our Fall issue!
For another example of a MCM prefab home, check out “Stops and Starts in a Prefab on the Oregon Coast.”And of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for more Mid Century Modern inspiration.
