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Archive for the ‘Modern architecture’ Category

ZeroCottage is a cutting-edge green home under construction in San Francisco.  The net-zero energy project by David Baker and Partners Architects is pursuing every notable green building certification around, including the Living Building Challenge, LEED Platinum, Green Point Rated, and Passive House.

In an introductory blog post, DBPA said, “We’re creating a cottage that is LEED for Homes Platinum, Green Point Rated, PassivHaus Certified, and Living Building Challenge Certified. We don’t know if we’ll be able to do it all, but we’re determined to try. And over the next few months, we hope to document the ride and give our readers as much information about the process as we can.”

So far, the ZeroCottage blog includes some insightful commentary on topics such as high-performance windows, air-tight folding doors, wall assembly and the dewpoint, rainwater reclamation, framing scrap, efficient water heating, salvage construction, interchangeable rain screen, and FSC-certified joists.

[+] San Francisco’s First Net Zero Passive House.

Credits: David Baker and Partners Architects.

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There’s some great homes across the country being finished with the first i-House design.  This one, for instance, was built on a lot in Green Bridge Farm, an eco-friendly development of 25 lots in Effingham County, Georgia.  Owner Charles Davis won’t have an electric bill with this net-zero energy home.  His butterfly roof has solar PV that generates electricity and powers a brand new Chevrolet Volt (pictured below).

Lots in Green Bridge Farm run between $50,000 – $55,000 and include about 1.2-1.6 acres each. In the center of the project is an organic farm. In fact, Green Bridge has a four-acre space with vegetable gardens and fruit orchards set aside for the community.

The farm is located near Savannah, Georgia.  The i-House will be open for tours August 12-13, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, with a Chevy Volt on site as well.  Clayton Homes has more information about the tour on their i-House website.

Last we checked, Clayton Homes is still working on i-House 2.0.  The company’s putting a lot of work into the details of this new design, and we’ll be excited to share more about it when we find out.

[+] More photos this i-House in Savannah, Georgia.

Credits: Clayton Homes. 

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XBO is a tiny project, prefabricated in 2004, that’s been floating around the internet lately as a result of being featured on Architizer.  It was designed by 70°N arkitektur and built by Senja Elementer AS as an experimental abode for 2 young people on the move.  The 388 square-foot (36 m2) home in Tromsø, Norway has two movable parts with just the basics — living areas, a garden terrace, a kitchenette, and a bathroom — ready to be lifted on to a container en route to the next destination.

[+] More info and photos of XBO at 70°N arkitektur; noticed at Treehugger.

Credits: 70°N arkitektur Bent Raanes. 

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Minnesota-based Alchemy Architects, the firm behind the weeHouse, tells us they have a unique opportunity for someone interested in owning a custom, modern prefab.  They have two weeHouses that have been framed and unfinished on the West Coast and a third that is pre-owned and for sale in Wisconsin.  Check out some details below or visit weeHouse for more information on these tiny, eco-friendly prefab structures.

3-Season WeePorch from Wisconsin – $25,000

This pre-owned, three-season weePorch is located in Siren, Wisconsin and has 324 square feet.  It has panoramic windows, built-in cabinetry and a full kitchen, recessed lighting, and a cedar deck (not shown).  A buyer will pay about $5 per mile for transportation, about $2,000 for the crane, and the costs of land, foundation, and utility hookups.  A bathroom could be added for about $7,000.  More info.

WeeSmall WeeHouse on West Coast – $59,000

This weeSmall is on the West Coast and has been framed but not finished.  The buyer will have the chance to choose the interior layout and exterior finishes.  WeeSmall is 390 square feet (26′ x 15′) and comes with bamboo floors, Andersen windows, steel siding, spray foam insulation, 3/4 bath with Kohler and Duravit fixtures, and a California-approved sprinkler system.  More info.

X-HOUSE WeeHouse on West Coast – $99,000

This X-HOUSE is on the West Coast and has been framed but not finished.  The buyer will have the chance to choose the interior layout and exterior finishes.  X-HOUSE allows for multiple configurations and includes two modules (30′ x 14′) with 975 square feet, two bedrooms, and one bathroom.  It comes with bamboo floors, a full kitchen with European cabinetry, Andersen windows, steel siding, spray foam insulation, full bath with Kohler and Duravit fixtures, and a California-approved sprinkler system.  More info.

Credits: Alchemy Architects. 

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