This website presents and reviews house and plans of unique and unconventional
design motifs. It provides links to sites offering especially house plans
that are the least-costly, easiest to build, as well as energy efficient and
spatially functional. It also offers our professional opinion ratings for
different structures in pertinent categories of design criteria. There's also
a possiblity you might need scaffolding done before construction. Dmoz.org
is a great source for that or if you're in new jersey, contact King Scaffold Erectors.
Depending on circumstance and financial status, the prospective owner-builder may
either hire a general contractor, or if he/she has a working knowledge in reading
architectural plans as well as at least some moderate experience in construction, can act as their own G.C.
If, however, money happens to be a primary concern, as well as the fact that you
may be lacking in knowledge and experience to do it yourself, there are viable
alternatives. And among these are three modern designs that have proven to be among
the most cost-effective and simple to build: the Geodesic Dome, the Topsider modular design, and a new modular
design recently gaining recognition, known as the Pyramodule™. (Although the dome requires a few hours of classroom
instruction, relative to standard building construction, once the concept is
understood, it's more expedient and therefore considered easier.)
Now, in the philosophy of architectural design, these are considered archetypal because
they're based on universal geometric shapes, which are inherently organic and thus at
once aesthetic and structural, as well as adaptable to human needs. In fact, never have
the two design axioms of Wright's "form follows function," and Mies' "less is more,"
been better represented than in these remarkably simple yet innovative designs.
To illustrate what is meant by archetypal: some may argue that the "A"-frame should
be considered an archetypal design configuration. Not so. For a structure to be
considered thus, it would have to satisfy geometric symmetry from four sides, relating
to potential wind forces. In the case of the "A"-frame, it could only be argued that
it does so from two sides, and even this isn't really the case.
The Geodesic Dome, in this regard, is the most structural of all, based on the
combination of forms of the eggshell and honeycomb. The Pyramodule™ would be
next in line. However, the Pyramodule™ has other advantages over the dome, including
ease of construction (thus less expensive, scaffolding), much better spatial function,
and the highest "material to usability" ratio. And lastly, although the Topsider modular design is the least structural of the three, and marginally
below some of the advantages of the Pyramodule™, its more conservative form is the easiest of the three to adapt to aesthetically.
It's interesting
to note how all of these so-called 'organic' designs have a space-age quality to them. Actually what occurs in nature, on the primal-archetypal level,
winds up representing something futuristic to our anthropomorphically oriented perception when its discovered in its natural state or condition.
At any rate, these three architectural concepts meet or exceed the most important design criteria
of any known structures. It's our opinion that these choices are among the
wisest of
the non-conventional housing designs.
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our rating system
We rate each category on a 1 to 10 scale, where
10 is the best, and 1 the worst. In this system,
ratings of 7 or higher, and overall ratings of 32
or higher, would be considered excellent.
structural: 10
low-cost: 7
aesthetics: 7
functionality: 6
energy efficiency: 8
Timberline Geodesics
"For more than 25 years, we've been dedicated to designing
Timberline Geodesic Dome packages that make it easy, practical
and affordable for people to construct their own homes."
--Timberline Geodesics
_____________________________________________________
Geodesic Domes and Homes
"Since Geodesic Domes are factory manufactured to exacting
standards using triangular networks forming hexagons and
pentagons, this method provides for a free-span, self-supporting
structure requiring no internal supports, such as roof load-bearing
partion wall. This allows for maximum flexibility of roof floor
design, utilizing or interior space, and future expansion.
"Domes are highly energy efficient in two ways. First, compared
to a common rectilinear home of equal floor space, a dome home
has approximately 30-50% less roof and wall area exposed to the
elements. This reduction in surface area results in a reduction
in energy costs for heating and cooling. Second, the spherical
shape of the dome facilitates natural air flow yielding more even
temperatures, reducing air stratification, minimizing cold spots,
and maximizing overall interior comfort."
--Geodesic Domes and Homes
structural: 8
low-cost: 8
aesthetics: 10
functionality: 7
energy efficiency: 9
Topsider Homes
Quality Prefabricated Homes Shipped Worldwide Since 1968.
"For more than 30 years many individuals have found Topsider Homes perfect for their special
building site and lifestyle. Our slogan and the title to our new video is "The Home That Is A
Vacation" and it's true!
"Whether you're interested in a small beach house at the coast or a
sprawling year-round home, our building system can provide you the
perfect leisure living custom floor plan.
"Imagine... vaulted ceilings throughout... beautiful hand sanded,
exposed beams resting atop panoramic view floor-to-ceiling glass
walls. The inside and the outside change places ... this is Topsider Homes' living.
"But, what really makes Topsider Homes' living so great is Mother Nature. Our homes exploit her
beauty without destroying it. Our environmentally friendly homes work with the natural landscape,
not against it."
--Topsider Homes
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structural: 9
low-cost: 9
aesthetics: 8
functionality: 10
energy efficiency: 8
Pyramodule™ Homes
"We offer house plans especially prepared for the do-it-yourself
home builder with minimal carpentry experience and little or no
experience in reading trade-oriented plans and specifications. More than
what is typically sold in the form of technically drafted house
plans, ours are geared to the lay person, and also come with a
building manual. These together provide a step-by-step, easy to
follow procedure for building one's home safely and efficiently.
"The Pyramodule™ is an innovative design conceived by an architect
under similar circumstances as Fuller's revelation of the geodesic
dome, insofar as its having drawn on quantum theoretical thinking,
which conjurs solutions that simultaneously satisfy multiple design
criteria to an extent that can only be appreciated if studied.
"In addition to being aesthetic, functional, and structural, it's also
cost-efficient to the extent that can save thousands of dollars over
conventional methods of house construction."
--Wildwood Design Co. |
Non-"Archetypal" Designs:
________________________
The "A"-Frame:
structural: 6
low-cost: 7
aesthetics: 6
functionality: 5
energy efficiency: 7
A-frame House Plans
Provided by Cool Houseplans
Miscellaneous:
2 Story 3061 sf
3 Bedroom 4 Bath
2, 3 or 4 Car Garage
Alternative Home Plans
Architect Designed Homeplans for Unique Houses
awards
(ON 12.23.09 OUR SITE WAS FEATURED FOR
ONE WEEK IN TRIPOD'S SUPERSITE DIRECTORY)
____________________________
(ON 6.10.09 OUR SITE WAS ALSO FEATURED IN
TRIPOD'S REAL ESTATE DIRECTORY)
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