apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Get prices!

HOM = $200/sqft depending upon options. 3 different sizes. So the 1000 sqft would run you about $200,000. yikes.

Does Alchemy Architects have a weeHouse there? I read a while back that they would...

See, this is where my green commitment gets hung up on my class sensibilities. The whole concept and purpose of pre-fab was to make homeownership affordable (i.e. trailers and other manufactured housing). For years they was considered too low-class (with reason) and they were zoned out and made illegal in many places. But yet again another affordable option has been co-opted

There is absolutley NO reason for these homes to be this expensive. They take up less room, less labor, less materials and less time to build.

What about some celebrated architects drafting some housing plans and selling those for a discounted rate so that those with less financial means but still having an appreciation for architecture can live in housing that they can love? This could be like model housing for the masses but without the prefab part. Do any celebrated architects already do this?

I agree, swandiver.

I think it's following the trend of taking what was meant to be mass produced for low-income and treating it like a collectible.

"From their own house in Los Angeles to their proposal for the do-it-yourself Kwikset House, the Eameses sought to bring "the good life" to the general public by integrating high and low art forms, modern materials and construction technologies, craft, and design. They advocated mass-production of architectural components, furnishings, and accessories as the ideal way to spread low-cost, high-quality modern design throughout America."
Source: http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/eames/space.html

Much the same with some of their furniture:

"Early in their careers together, Charles and Ray identified the need for affordable, yet high-quality furniture for the average consumer -- furniture that could serve a variety of uses."
Source: http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/eames/furniture.html

"Wartime experiments with new materials and technologies inspired the Eameses' low-cost furniture for Herman Miller"
Source: http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/eames/bio.html

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So, it seems that IKEA has taken that place for furniture that is affordable. And instead of Eames stores globally, we have IKEA stores globally. To fill the niche that could have been partially filled by Charles and Ray Eames.

There is a huge profit on the Eames designs, on those that are sold new. But nothing competes with the masses, buying massive quantities.

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I have been on the hunt for an affordable modular home that is customizable. I will have to start my own company if I want this to happen.

http://www.weehouse.com

The SMALLEST weehouse that has NO bathroom and is a box with two walls of sliding glass doors is $79,000.00. That doesn't include the land. Or a ton of other fees, like transporting the thing to the site!

And it doesn't qualify as a "house" without a bathroom, bathrooms are required for living spaces around here.

It's a fancy backyard office for someone well to do.

I can't figure out what the costs are for. Sliding glass doors aren't that expensive:
http://www.andersenwindows.com/servlet/Satellite/AW/AWProductCategory/awProductCategoryList/AWProductCategory/1136264482563/1102951372828

There are a gazillion under counter fridges and freezers:
http://www.kitchendirect.com/index.cfm/page/search:browse/categoryID/44

And I would prefer the Energy Star certification. They don't tell me what comes with the weehouse style that HAS a bathroom (which starts at $89,000).

The weehouse with the bathroom, they give you some selections on the the cabinets, but say they don't recommend ordering without cabinets. Why?

There is a ton of space above the top wall mount cabinets. I'd rather go IKEA, and IKEA the crap out of that wall, with double sets of wall mount cabinets.

Bonus, if they HAD gone with IKEA cabinets (that are HIGHLY rated by Consumer Reports), there would have been a LOT more selections for colors and finishes on the doors! As well as pick out the things that YOU need for YOUR lifestyle:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/range/10379/10470/

And there are options of creating an even larger kitchen space by using their freestanding kitchen add-ons.

Because there ARE people that could use that weehouse for many different kinds of lives. Some are chefs and NEED a lot of kitchen space for their dinner parties. Some are entertainers, and need a lot of space for their big screen movie viewing. Some are artists and need floor space for their art. Some work at home and need areas to set up their computer equipment.

The weehouse is good for artists. But not such a great LIVING space, on the smallest home.

The bathroom is not large enough for wheelchairs. The bed niche is tiny. We've seen tons of great murphy bed ideas in the Home Tours and the Small, Cool contest. But there isn't even a wall to put it against. It's all glass, except the niche.

It's only when you get into the HUGE weehouses, that you get REAL features. As in "features I would be very interested in". I have to go all the way over to the 4X weehouse, the first one, to get a walk-in closet, a washer and dryer, and a bathroom that is wheelchair accessible.

No, they don't have to be THAT big, but what's the deal?

But there are kit houses that are getting to the right price range:
http://www.deltechomes.com/

In the smaller ones, they do have closets and washers and dryers and can include the 36" wide doors and make a bathroom accessible for wheelchairs and walkers.

IKEA does make prefab houses in the UK but the design is ehh...
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/02/ikea_boklok_fla_1.php

Oh, so much for "affordable":

Flat Prices:
One-bedroom flats £99,500
Two bedroom flats £124,950

House Prices:
Two-bedroom townhouse £132,500
Two-bedroom townhouse £139,500
Three-bedroom townhouse £149,500
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That translates into 196,024.743 for the one bedroom, as of now. How is that affordable? For whom?

Check this out:
http://katrinacottagehousing.org/

There's a link that will take you here:
http://www.cusatocottages.com/selectaplan.php

The link over to Unabridged Architecture didn't work, this will:
http://www.unarch.com/

You have to click around a bit, but in the Environment section, click on eLeMeNT. It starts with a basic box of 375 sq ft, one bedroom, one bath, kitchen, porch. And it can be added onto, as finances and the site permit.

So that everyone could get into a home of their own, a basic unit. And add on a bedroom or more space as needed. People starting out life don't have big budgets. And as folks age, like I have, I don't need a big home. I just need a place to call my own. One that makes sense.

KitHAUS doesn't make sense:
http://kithaus.com/

Click on Modules there for the price list. $40,000 for a single room K4, with no plumbing and no kitchen.

Big pages of Modular homes:
http://www.fabprefab.com/fabfiles/fablisthome.htm

It's a place to view ideas, for sure, and to get excited about the possibilities. Not so much about the prices though. Unless you visit this site:
http://www.rocioromero.com/LVSeries/LV.htm

$36,000 for an 1,150 sq ft home is way reasonable. Of course, you have to add all the other stuff, and buy land, but still, it certainly makes a kitHAUS look silly in comparison.

The LV houses kind of look to me like a Crate Barrel from the outside. But that price is pretty amazing. What's the catch I wonder.