Flatpak House
by on 01.10.05
Not so long ago we promised a report on architect and designer Charlie Lazor’s Flatpak House. Just like flatpack furniture, the house comes in flat pieces that are assembled on site to cut down on cost and environmental impact. Many prefab housing manufacturers aren’t so keen on the idea of a modernist house, so Lazor went straight to the source: glass panels (clear or sandblasted), wall panels (timber, metal, hardiboard, or concrete), and other components come from different suppliers, converging only when they are delivered to the site. If a manufacturer has a local franchise, shipping emissions can be reduced further. Lazor lives in one configuration of the 8' by 8' grid system; other possible layouts are shown in a PDF on the website. But who says you’re limited by that? The first step to designing a Flatpak house is playing about with stickers on a floorplan grid. Then you send your creation in and tell the architects about the site. Prefab it may be, but the design is initiated by you. And you might actually be able to afford it, too: the PDF also tells you exactly what will be included in the estimated $130-$145 per square foot, a comparable price to the NowHouse also billing itself as affordable modern prefab. ::Flatpak House [by KK]
Two views of the architect’s own Flatpak house.
Very Ugly and would stick out like a sore thumb! May be good for a mountain retreat.
Love it! We came across this site purely by chance once we found Land and Living. We love the elemental design using steel, glass,wood and stone.
I'm open minded. I'd like to see the interior possibilities. The outside isn't all that attractive but could be customized on-site to look prettier, especially since I am getting tired of looking at all the identical new houses with the obligatory half-round window somewhere. I'd like to see more and would consider buying one
$130 to $140 per sq.ft hardly qualifies as affordable.
A beautiful example of "simplicity is e;egance." I like the clean lines, open architecture and sense of space with this home. I like the idea that it can be shipped to your locations and them erected onsite saving money. I would like to see a smaller example of this for those who want a smaller space or perhaps with a balcony if you want to build near the ocean and have spectacular views.
Aloha from Hawaii
In the description, the project is described as an "affordable modern prefab." I think that the adjective "modern" is important. 130-140$ per square foot is a relatively affordable price for a "modern" and custom house. The project seems to be for a slightly different market, namely, people who want modern design, but may not want to pay the large fees for a completely custom designed house.
So light and airy, so many options, so Efficient looking, clean-lined and elegant! Howard Roark would be very proud. (who? think, Ayn Rand's "The Fountainhead")