Minnesota's Alchemy Architects - makers of the modular prefab weeHouse - recently introduced a new addition to their line: the 3 bedroom, 2150 sf not-so-weeHouse. While the original, tiny weeHouse was designed for small space living, the new stackable models are being marketed as primary residences for families that need more space...
The firm offers prefab housing kits starting at 341 sf in a range of options - each house is made by arranging and stacking modular rectangular units.
The not-so-weeHouses join eight tiny houses together to create the large unit, and they can be arranged in a variety of configurations. Pricing for the large, 4x weeHouses starts at $319,000.
We personally prefer the smaller models, since they have the appeal of living with less. Still, modular housing naturally strives for a variety of possibilities from the same building blocks. In this sense, larger stacked models seem like a natural extension of prefabricated building.
We also like the fact that both the small and large houses are adaptable to their sites, and can be configured in several different ways.
What do you think? Is the not-so-weeHouse a step in the wrong direction, or is it a logical extension of the architects' prefab model?
For more information, visit the weeHouse website.
Photos: weeHouse. Found via prefabcosm.
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Love it. What a great way to use space well, whether you have a need for 400 sq ft, or 2000.
view kimg924's profile
LOVE IT!!!!! Planning to share this with everyone I know in the market for land. LOVE it.
view daleysdose's profile
Great use of space on a small urban lot - IMHO, $320K isn't too much to spend on a well-built Architect-designed house.
view bepsf's profile
I love the larger models. The 3 bedroom models are still a modest space for a family of 3 or 4, and they are beautiful.
view kollros's profile
Love it. I want to go buy land and start building!
view mdeathstar's profile
Does anyone know of a source for folding chairs like the ones shown in the last photo? I have a similar chair that I bought off of craigslist and I love it. It is a rocking folding chair and very comfortable.
thanks for any help.
view Arran's profile
320k! ouch!
view Renngrrl's profile
A base price of $319K for a 2100 sq ft home translates to $152 per sq ft, which sounds pretty good. But that's the base price--I'd like to see how quickly that "from $319,000" rises.
view Shawn's profile
don't forget that the price per sq ft doesn't include the cost of the land ... . not inexpensive by any stretch of the imagination.
view loislane's profile
The prefab houses that I've been looking at back when Dwell ran their first pre-fab house contest, quotes different prices based on where you buy the land (for permits, plumbing, any infrastructure on the road,) and what part of the country you build in...because of different labor costs. It's not cheap, but its affordable if you're looking from the perspective of getting an architect designed house with custom materials and features. Many of these stackable units are very configurable. Here's a link to just some of the architects doing this. It's a great list and I've aleady got my favorites for the if/when scenario...
http://www.fabprefab.com/fabfiles/fablisthome.htm
view edava72's profile
Definetly a step in the right direction.
Just because my family of 5 needs more than 300t doesn't mean we want an ugly cookie cutter home.
Also, we do actually need a bit more space because we live in a climate (Central Alberta) that really does necessitate two wardrobes, summer=hot, winter=effing cold, in fact almost all of the last 4 weeks have been near -50!
Need to store the season specific toys and yard care items.
Why live in a winter climate if you don't go toboganning and skiing? Those things take up space!
view Angus's profile