We all know that site built semi-custom homes can easily go over budget, and unforeseen costs can ruin the profit. Here’s an outfit just about ready to implement their “Design by Blog” low cost home in Philly.
As a former product design/manufacturing engineer I’ve admired their extensive “value engineering” of the project. Interestingly, they rejected the trendy prefab approach so many others are building a business around.
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As I said it’s kind of a collaborative design, so they welcome any feedback and suggestions you may have
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Thanks for this interesting post. I did leave a comment regarding the kitchen, since that's my thing. I liked the comment I read about simply clear coating mdf, which I think has an interesting look, in lieu of using veneers. Good way to pare down on the "excess".
I think it's an interesting concept. I'd love to see them try a project in future that is a bit more accessible to a population that's aging but wants to remain close to urban amenities. The open areas are great, but the stairs are limiting.
Also like to see these ideas adapted to areas of the country where city dwellers are more traditional. All the projects I've seen so far focus on the urban chic or loft look, leaning heavily to the ultra modern.
Here's a new firm that's targeting projects just as you describe, traditional and accessible.http://www.kephartliving.com/Default.aspxBecause each situation is so unique, they can't do as much value engineering. Their costs, therefore usually run north of $150/sq.ft. rather than $100, which was the original goal of the 100k house.You have a good point, because this ultra modern stuff might not be accepted well in the established urban neighborhoods, where stakeholders wish to retain the existing character.Me, I'm always in favor of architectural diversity and choice.
There are some very appealing homes in their offerings. They look updated, but still have historical references that so many people find more comfortable.
We live in about 1500 sf, and I chould see us living in either of the 1160 sf units they offered. Those and some others seemed perfectly suited for folks retiring and wanting to remain in their urban home for as long as possible.
Thanks again for your posts!
Denver Kevin,
I hate the one size fits all approach to building. I've managed to save a massive amount of money by simply thinking outside of the box.. However what I saved wouldn't apply to everyplace..
Saving money shouldn't ever be the goal of building.. Oh it's wonderful and allows us to achieve much but it should be the by-product not the goal..
A shelter that fits your needs should be the first goal. Saving money should be a process we use but it's a process that works best when creativety is used to replace tradional methods..
For example labor is where the majoroity of savings are to be found.. However don't buy simply labor savings pieces and assemble them you'll wind up with a souless place. Look at motel rooms as a classic example of cost containment..
I agree with you on this post, Frenchy.
You can't apply money-saving or energy-saving ideas with a rubber stamp. You have to apply the ideas to suit the individual situations.
And what is created with those ideas needs to be something that people will feel comfortable in and will remain in. In so many of the idea houses for urban infill that I see, there is very little flexibility built in unless you consider it is the open, blank spaces.
I would also like to see a more creative application of natural materials to offset the "motel room" look of so much glass, concrete and steel.
Still, every concept has to start somewhere. You've got to applaud people for trying them out.
Frenchy I like your philosophy, but if every house has creativity and uniqueness, you may be 'experimenting' and experiments always have the chance of failure.
DenverKevin.
You are correct in that you take risks when you go outside of the box.. that's why those risks should always be backed up by solid thinking and clear headed logic..
Examples would include adobe homes in the southwest, timberframed homes in areas of heavy forestration, concrete homes (using ICF's) in areas where termits or high winds (hurricanes/tornados) are common. Use of SIP's in the cold northern climates.
That sort of construction is well proven and clearly established....
The thinking outside of the box goes beyond visiting the lumberyard or Big Box store.. It should include small local sawmills to avoid all the middlemen that are involved in wood. Checking out alternative sources of materials like windows and doors. Archetectual salvage centers, surplus stores, building recycle centers, etc..
I'll give you examples. My home I paid less for the wood to build it than most people pay for sheetrock. That includes black walnut, cherry, white oak hard maple and some really exoitic woods. I have 17 stained glass windows I bought from garage sales, surplus stores etc. and total I have less than $500.00 in them. True stained glass isn't very thermally efficent but I had double paned glass made up and the stained glass is behind those efficent windows.. those double paned glass I bought for less than I could have bought those windows from Home Depot.. (average cost $55.00 each)
I bought copper sheets (4'x8') from a steel scrap yard and after all the flashing I did etc. sold the scraps for more than I paid for the whole pallet of copper..
MY bricks are from when they tore up an old highway. They cost me two cases of beer and provided me with a wonderful brick driveway. Today replacement broicks like that sell for $2.00 each.. If I had to buy all those I've got it would cost me around $60,000.
My main point is you have to look around and when oppertunity knocks take advantage of it..
interesting... but it was alot of "green speak" they were going for the green credits and seemed to be try'n to spend alot of money doing it...
as with anything the money you don't spend is important... In my case i know what i'll spend and if i can figure something out or find a deal... then whatever i save I'll use that to upgrade somewhere else or allow me to do something that was outside the budget..
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