A colleague yesterday was looking for some nice modern architecture web sites, and that led to link-swapping of both web sites and architecture examples. I ended up perusing much of the fablist at fabprefab; worth looking through for the latest possibilities and inspiration: http://fabprefab.com/fabfiles/fablisthome.htm
Sketched this out this morning (click each to view full size):
6 containers: 40 x 8, 20 x 8, 20 x 8 on the first floor, with a similar finished basement below. 40 x 8, 20 x 8 on the second floor, creating the master suite, with the east wall inset to provide a balcony. Upstairs to 20 x 8 on the third floor for an office with its own entrance.
Prefab foundation walls, a few grand per container, offsite work and on-site assembly, finishing touches inside. Kitchen and bath by IKEA. Reclaimed wood and concrete for the floors. On-demand hot water heater for radiant heat and hot water. Solar on the roof. Southern exposure windows for passive heat in the winter (though that solid north wall could get a lot of wind depending on the locale). Wonder what the cost difference would be compared to an LVL Home?
I had posted previously on Container City, and mentioned a spot up 95 before the NH border where there were shipping containers for sale. I was reading a post on Roger Black’s site earlier about container homes, and my interest is piqued.
When I read Black’s posts, I expect to find musings on new and old media, print, and typography. It turns out Roger built a retreat in Texas using containers.
I did a quick search on Google and the first result was this lo-fi site with a slew of information on using shipping containers for residential and commercial (office) development.
Maybe this is the answer. Rather than plunking down $200k on a customized LVL home, which would be worthwhile, spend the money on land, grab a bunch of shipping containers, and spend a fraction of that insulating them and linking them together.
Update: A great piece in Treehugger too.
Another update: A great container home in BC, Canada, weathering a snowstorm! Via FabPrefab.
From the current issue of Metropolis:
From Inhabitat: Top 5 Tiniest Prefab Homes. Any contenders for a New England getaway cottage?
http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/06/22/top-5-tiniest-tiny-houses/
From No Impact Man: Thoughts on living and working for real progress and sustainability:
http://noimpactman.typepad.com/blog/2007/06/can-capitalism-.html
A really thought-provoking piece, especially considering that sustainability often means living in denser communities: How children lost the right to roam in four generations.
The current issue of Dwell features a shack-inspired modern retreat in Sharon, CT, designed by its architect resident who rents in NYC during the week.
Also in the issue, a teacher from Charlottesville, Virginia writes in to share her story of an affordable modern home, the Shelley Shack at www.strataprojects.com.
A comprehensive celebration: http://veerle.duoh.com/blog/comments/design_icons_charles_and_ray_eames/
From Treehugger: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/06/where_to_build.php.
Can we rely on the MBTA, though? I purchased an existing home (condo) in Salem, walking distance from the train, and the relationship was at times quite tenuous.
On a previous blog: http://circa1977.com/category/architecture/
No Impact Man passes along the rules for the Riot for Austerity. It’s a solid list of guidelines for reducing your personal carbon emissions by 90%. A great list, but hard to achieve if doing so isn’t a full-time occupation. For example:
Electricity:
1,100 kWh per HOUSEHOLD, per YEAR
I just grabbed the latest electric bill off my desk, and looked back to the winter months: 2634 kWh in February. We’ve got CFLs in the house. We’re in New England and rely on a heat pump/forced air system in the winter. We’re also on the first floor of a 130 year-old building and the basement below us is unheated. (And forget about all the diapers we’re going through with a 6 week-old baby!)
This is a big dilemma many green-minded citizens face. Circumstance doesn’t always support change, and reality must be contended with. Home building certainly isn’t a wasteless endeavor either. I’d love to design, build, and live in an efficient, zero-sum home, with solar, wind energy, designed for passive heating and cooling. But I’m making a difference by putting an existing structure to use as well. I’m also paying for GreenUp credits on my electric bill.
Though a bit disconcerting — can you ever do enough? — the list is worth reading to see where you can cut back and make a difference: http://noimpactman.typepad.com/blog/2007/06/getting_concret.html
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