Icon Solar House in Minnesota USA by Lucia Ortiz Architect

This great sustainable architecture residential building concept is designed by Lucioa Ortiz Architect. Its a sustainable home design inspiration which has great way to reduce household energy-costs by using a natural power resources from the sun. The ICON Solar House has all the comforts of a traditional home along some of the most advanced technology available on the market today.

On the ICON Solar House, the ridge of the roof is pulled towards the north, which expands the surface area on the southern side. At the same time, the ridge is raised so that the solar panel roof is angled perfectly for maximum sun exposure during the winter, when energy demand is at its peak. In Minnesota, located in the north central section of the US, an angle of 35 degrees to 45 degrees is usually considered ideal for solar collection during the winter.

Competition rules required a lower roof pitch so the designers used energy modeling software to determine that a roof angle of 28 degrees in addition to a certain amount of surface area on the southern half of the roof would produce the greatest amount of solar energy.

In the ICON Solar House integrated shelving system runs the entire length of the house, incorporating lighting, HVAC ductwork, partitions and doors.

The house a rainscreen instead of siding allows air movement behind the cladding material, helping to draw away moisture from the membrane and plywood sheathing while still allowing the wall to permeate moisture vapor. At the same time, the rainscreen wall meets the aesthetic goals of the house and the project concept, with horizontal slats that have a similar pattern as traditional wood siding.

The minimum bid on the house is $200,000. The house has a retail value of over $550,000 and exceeds all relevant building codes. An allowance of $20,000 will be provided by the university for consulting and assistance in assembling the ICON House on site.

Muvbox Fast Food Restaurant from Reused Shipping Container Box

Muvbox is a great shipping container box design inspiration of Fast Food Restaurant that was constructed from the old container and powered by solar energy that can generate 40% of the restaurant energy needs and the remaining 60% is filled by propane to full the kitchen appliances.

Muvbox, the company behind this portable restaurant concept, had their interior design and architecture done by Sid Lee, in collaboration with Ædifica. The interior featured modern kitchen set with seating for 28 peoples.

The Muvbox is a sophisticated design which recently emerged from Montreal, Canada and is a shipping container that opens up into a full-fledged mobile, outdoor fast food restaurant, the floor is made from recycled tires and made using reused 20-foot shipping container, the muvbox can be vanishes back into the cube and redeploying early the next morning in less than two minutes.

See the video here :

Trestle House - Modular Constructed House With A Tight Budget

Tyler Engle Architects have designed this Trestle House, A modular constructed house design with a very tight budget and very difficult construction conditions. The Trestle House is located on a steeply slopping sight so innovative structural systems and modular construction were used.

Its name is chose due to the foundation system while the budget economy was achieved by the use of a 12’ x 16’ grid creating a short structural span and standard 4’ x 8’ sheets of plywood which is a modern reinterpretation of the traditional Japanese Tatami mat module.

These material looks very natural even though it isn’t and comfy for living. The interior continuous the theme of naturalism so materials that were used there are wood, stone and their imitations.

Romero House by At103

Romero house is a residential project designed by at103 / Julio Amezcua + Francisco Pardo for a 4 members family located in Queretaro, Mexico. At103 was founded with the clear intention to investigate and create new techniques for architecture in the contemporary city, a multidisciplinary group shares a need for integration among the capacities of logistics and the multiplicity of knowledge.



















The 'romero house' design is developed out of an existing foundation, from which it was necessary to define clarity on the volumes that constitute tshe house, considering the use of materials and the program that each box contains. The stone box is the hermetic one; it contains the principal bathroom and services areas such as: storage, maid’s room and garage.





















The wooden box contains all public areas living room, dining room, studio, bar, kitchen, tv room, visits and kids rooms. Access is through the void generated in between this 2, connecting directly to the living room, a double height space where the main stairs and the linking bridge between the boxes are located.





















A metallic structure was proposed for the need of fast construction and lightness over the existing foundation, prefabricated materials were used and based on its modulation they were perforated to generate the visual relation in-between interior and exterior.

The Canuhome Prefab Residence

The Canuhome Prefab Residence is a 20 by 50 ft. exhibit of an 850 sq. ft. prefab residence, including a kitchen and dining room, living room, bathroom and bedroom. The Canuhome is designed for young couples, seniors, singles and small families; it can fit into rear gardens or on rooftops of buildings for city dwellers, and in the countryside for green fields aficionados.












This traveling exhibit brings together a diverse group of partners in order to stimulate more sustainable, universal and affordable prefab housing solutions for Canadians. “It’s high time we all start decreasing our utility bills and improving indoor air quality while helping the environment on our quest for a better life…”












Designed by IwB, the Canuhome is a full-size home that draws design inspiration from CMHC's EQulibrium, Healthy HousingTM and FlexhousingTM Initiatives, is constructed using Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood products, and therby meets LEED standards. Features include:
- Improved indoor air and environment quality;
- Reduced ecological footprint through energy, water and resource efficiency;
- Universal, accessible and adaptable design to meet changing needs;
- Inherent affordability - last longer, less costly to operate, eligible for green financing.

Minihome solo SE 2008 by Sustain Design Studio

The miniHome offers the possibility for year-round affordable living on almost any site. It is equally at home in a remote wilderness setting - completely off-grid - or in an urban trailer park. Its remarkable combination of energy efficient systems and beautiful finishes usually associated with luxury condominiums, results in a home that sings the virtues of simplicity and conservation.


















About miniHome Solo SE:

The miniHome Solo is the smallest miniHome at 275 sq ft within it's 36' x 8' shell. Classified as a travel-trailer and built on a steel frame with three wheeled axels, the solo can be easily towed to any site as a semi-permanent home. The newest "SE" edition features 350 sq ft of asand improved design, hardware and finishes.



















Basic Details

* basic "kit" price: $119,000
* sq ft: 350 (SE model)
* kit price/sq ft: $340
* est. finished price/sq ft: $340
* bedrooms: studio
* baths: 1
* garage: no
* decks: no


















Base Price Includes:

* all windows / doors / screens and shades
* Boak wood-grain exterior cladding
* EPDM membrane roof
* Insulation - up to R40 floors/walls/roof

* interior flooring / all finishes / millwork and built-in furniture
* kitchen cabinets / sink appliances / toilet / fixtures
* electrical and lighting systems
* optional: wind turbine kit / roofgarden kit / skirting kit



















Sustain Design Studio - Altius Architecture Inc. 1 Atlantic Avenue #120
Toronto, Canada M6K 3E7
416.516.7772 Tel

OMD’s Prefab Show House | Jennifer Siegel

OMD’s Prefab ShowHouse, a development of the Portable House, exhibits the ideas of prefabrication, flexibility, portability and compact spaciousness. Its central kitchen/bath core divides and separates the sleeping space from the eating/living space in a compact assemblage of form and function.





















The steel frame structure, measuring 12 feet by 60 feet, was trucked to its site and set on a temporary foundation. Its exterior is clad with metal siding and translucent polycarbonate panels, while its interior features a high sloping ceiling, a Boffi kitchen and bathroom, iPort sound system, flowing ventilation, radiant heat panels, and a variety of sustainable floor and wall materials.

Whether briefly situated in an urban lot, momentarily located in the open landscape, or positioned for a more lengthy stay, the Portable House accommodates a wide range of needs and functions.



























The price of this Jennifer Seigal designed modern modular house has been reduced to $175,000. 1650 Abbot Kinney Blvd. Venice, CA 90291





















OMD Prefab Advantages

• Custom Architectural Design - OMD works personally and closely with our clients to achieve their dream home.
• Construction faster in the factory than site built (by less than half the time). Foundation and building in construction simultatneously.
• Prefab building means: stockpiling materials, less worker transportation, less waste, etc.
• 15% cheaper than site 'stick' built.
• Steel frame building versus wood - stronger, better in earthquake.
• Much less neighborhood disturbance - less noise, less dust.
• Design and permitting time is faster.

Guide to Choosing Prefab Buildings

Steel buildings, modular buildings, mobile offices - what do you need? The differences between these major types of prefab buildings are important but can be confusing - and in some cases, their uses overlap. Here's a quick guide to help you sort out which type you need. If you need a permanent structure, you'll be choosing between steel buildings and modular buildings. Both are "alternative" construction methods, as opposed to traditional ground-up construction.















Steel Building :
Common examples: Warehouses, airplane hangars, barns, dry storage, church halls, sports arenas, garages
Construction: Pieces fabricated in factory, assembled on-site
Primary advantage: Cost per square foot, capable of enclosing large open spaces
Cost: $16 to $40 per square foot - commonly $20 to $30

















Modular Buildings :
Common examples: Medical labs, classrooms, offices, retail stores, government offices, dormitories
Construction: Almost completely built in factory, just installed
Primary advantage: More traditional appearance, flexibility
Cost: $35 to $100 per square foot - commonly $50 to $65

Office Trailers :
Common examples: Construction, temporary office space
Construction: Pre-built, minimal installation
Primary advantage: Least expensive, commonly available through leases
Cost: $100 to $500 per month rental fees; $20,000 and up to purchase.

Sebastian Irarrazaval | La Reserva House

Description :
La Reserva House was designesd by Sebastián Irarrázaval and would be built on the outskirts of Santiago and therefore monitoring of the construction could not be very exhaustive. As a result it was decided by a simple cubic matrix.

Moreover, the reduced budget forced us to opt for a constructive economic system and fast. As' we decided to use one, widely developed in the U.S. and Canada and here in Chile is beginning to be use in the georgian houses. which consists of a structure of galvanized iron profiles, chipboard panels OSB siding and sheathing PVC imitation wood.

It is a low-cost housing, 140 m2, to be sold and repeated in many places as concerned people exist. In this regard it relates to the idea of the container since it has no place. With the purpose of reducing construction time, geometry is simple and the construction system is on prefabricated basis. Its arrangement is a cross shaped where, in order to embrace the nearby landscape, public areas are placed in second level in a 4 meters high cube.

This severe volume is covered with steel plates that create a double facade that gets hot and therefore increases ventilation of the space in between , refreshing the inner side of the wall

With regard to materials, the building recognizes the inherent uncertainty and inevitability of weathering as a continuation of the building process rather than as a force antagonistic to it.

Architect: Sebastián Irarrázaval
Associate Architect: Andrea Von Chrismar
Location: La Reserva, Colina, Chile
Constructed Area: 140 m2
Project year: 2005-2006
Photographs: Carlos Eguiguren

Not-So-weeHouse by Alchemy Architects

A little brief about Alchemy Architects Not-So-weeHouse :
Not-so-weeHouses start with a base weeHouse module, then add additional modules and/or "special use modules" to create a customized modular home. Each project is planned and built individually, allowing for a wide variety of finishes and layouts.


Alchemy Architects Contact :
* Geoffrey Warner - Architect
* 856 Raymond Ave South
* St. Paul, MN 55114
* Tel: 651.647.6650
* Email: info@weehouses.com
* Web site: alchemyarchitects.com



Basic Details of the Not-So-weeHouse by Alchemy Architects :

* basic "kit" price: varies
* sq ft: varies
* kit price/sq ft: varies
* est. finished price/sq ft: $150 - 175
* bedrooms: varies
* baths: vaires
* garage: no
* decks: optional



Base Price Includes:

* all windows/patio doors
* painted interior walls/ceilings
* fiber cement board exterior siding
* EPDM membrane roof
* Insulation - wallsR19/floorR35/ceilingR45

* prefinished bamboo flooring
* IKEA cabinets/sinks | Kohler® toilets | Moen® fixtures
* design costs / site layout / approval drawings
* ductwork for heating/cooling | electrical/lighting
* rough-in for appliances, hot water heater



Also worth mentioning: basic weeHouse pricing for any region in the country is now available. Kudos to the weeHouse folks for making that information so accessible!

model: 2x4 weeHouse
designer: Alchemy Architects
price: from $319,000 (~$150/sf)
size: 2,150 sf
br: 3
style: modern
how: complete modules

model: 4x4 weeHouse
designer: Alchemy Architects
price: from $319,000 (~$150/sf)
size: 2,090 sf
br: 3
style: modern
how: complete modules