You Too Can Own a C3 Cabin by Vandeventer+Carlander Architects
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07.30.07
One problem with good architecture is that it usually only one person gets it; unlike a nice industrial design that gets mass produced, architecture is conventionally a one-off. Some architects like Greg Lavardera are trying to break this mold by designing houses that are sold as plans; others are catching on and offering plans of successful designs built previously.
Vandeventer+Carlander Architects built the 352 square foot Camano Cabin way back in 1999; it got exposure again as a 2006 AIA/Sunset Magazine Merit award. They are now selling plans for it, relabelled the C3 Cabin. This is a difficult step for an architect; the dreaded liability insurance company looks askance. Documents come covered with capital letters screaming lack of ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY, SATISFACTORY QUALITY, NONINFRINGEMENT OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE; That's not your usual architect talk.
It is a shame that architects don't do this more often; particularly with modern architecture, it gives people comfort to see pictures and know what they are buying. Plans are also cheaper than hiring the architect for full service; V+C are selling these for $ 2,000.
From the architects: "The design of this cabin was premised on three goals. First, to provide the required spaces for an extended stay cabin within a minimal footprint. Second, provide a quality of space and abundant natural daylight typically not found in this size of structure. And third, to allow for simplicity of construction and maintenance.". The ground floor contains the main living space, kitchen and bath with the sleeping loft capping both the kitchen and bathroom. The exterior materials, fiber cement and metal panels, were chosen for initial low cost and minimal maintenance over time; "both materials are not affected by mold, water absorption or bug infestation, requiring only periodic washing based on the cabins site conditions.".
::Vandeventer+Carlander Architects via ::MocoLoco
"One problem with good architecture is that it usually only one person gets it; unlike a nice industrial design that gets mass produced, architecture is conventionally a one-off."
I hope that you aren't implying here that architecture should be mass produced. There is good reason for architectural designs to be one off, every building should be site specific. What works in one place will not work as close as the other side of the same hill.
I don't think I'd spend $2000 for plans for a house where if you fall out of bed you fall a full story! (see the loft in the third picture).
ray,
me neither, though I think the part of the bed shown is one of the the ends, and not one of the sides, so I think you run a much smaller risk of falling, unless of course, your drunk, then anything is possible.
I could be wrong, but I don't think it'd be too tough to add some railing if you happened to be a sleepwalker or occasionally have a little too much to drink! {;^D
I respectfully disagree with the comment from Blake above. I do believe that architecture should and can be mass produced. The cost of creating site specific custom designs is too expensive, period ! Ask yourself the question, are all of your clothes custom designed and one off items, are all of your pieces of furniture custom designed and one off items, is the fence in front of your home or the wall at the property line or the sidewalk in front of your home or even your driveway, custom designed and one off items??? There is a happy balance out there between excellent design and affordability and it is invigorating to know that there are architects who are in touch with reality, have some common sense and are pursuing the affordable excellent design challenge. On the horizon I see Logical Homes, the iTHouse and the LV House as examples of "retooling" how homes are constructed and because of the market, each is going to blossom far beyond where they stand currently. I'd love to here some other views on this issue.