Useful + Agreeable
Traditionally, there have been two choices in building your own home: Hire an architect to custom design a house, or treat yourself to a more affordable prefab home. Now, there's a third choice that falls squarely between custom and prefab. Called predesign, an architect creates a template that can be easily modified to meet homeowners' needs; we recently saw an example that makes this third option very appealing.
Called the Useful + Agreeable House, the home is designed by Neil M. Denari Architects in association with Canadian company U+A. It's design on a smaller scale than prefab, intended for people who who want a home by a notable architect but perhaps can't afford to commission a house from them. The house nicely works in green ideals, such as solar power, rain water collection, and rooftop gardens, as well as built-in furniture by the architect.
Sort of similar to a car, in which you order the base model then choose color, options, interior, etc., the house can be completely customized, ranging from 660 to 1,800 square feet. Theoretically, you could order the house from anywhere in the world, work with the architect by phone or email on the details, and source and build the project at your desired site.
It's an appealing idea, and we like the futuristic space pod-like form. But will the idea take off? We're waiting to see.
Called the Useful + Agreeable House, the home is designed by Neil M. Denari Architects in association with Canadian company U+A. It's design on a smaller scale than prefab, intended for people who who want a home by a notable architect but perhaps can't afford to commission a house from them. The house nicely works in green ideals, such as solar power, rain water collection, and rooftop gardens, as well as built-in furniture by the architect.
Sort of similar to a car, in which you order the base model then choose color, options, interior, etc., the house can be completely customized, ranging from 660 to 1,800 square feet. Theoretically, you could order the house from anywhere in the world, work with the architect by phone or email on the details, and source and build the project at your desired site.
It's an appealing idea, and we like the futuristic space pod-like form. But will the idea take off? We're waiting to see.
Posted by: Amara Holstein on Jan 11, 08 at 06:00 PM PST
