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Cost-Effective Solutions for a Beautiful, Affordable Home
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| Submitted by: | Dan O'Malley, AIA (domalley@bsbdesign.com) 4/29/2008 2:11:27 PM PT |
| Location: | Palatine, IL |
| Occupation: | Architect |
You raise an interesting point. With respect to classic architectural design, it does seem counter-intuitive to design from the outside in. But we are in the home-building industry and in 2008 builders find themselves in an affordability war. And not just during this housing downturn, but anywhere/anytime new markets demand housing, builders and architects must respect the competitive nature of the industry all the while providing good, economically sensitive housing solutions for that market...wherever it may be.
As designers, often times we start from the "outside-in" in an effort to address costs by first solving the structure of the home. I have been in many simple homes, even with only four or six corners that have tremendous live-ability and are well functioning. Good architectural design is a problem-solving exercise that is responsive to the builder, the market and the home buyer.
| Submitted by: | Thomas M. Leigh, AIA (thomas.leigh@ivi-intl.com) 4/9/2008 9:13:46 AM PT |
| Location: | Westchester County, New York |
| Occupation: | Registered Architect / Lender's Consultant |
As a construction consultant to major lenders, I look at various types of construction and uses. Designers should look at how the hotel and office industry build their projects which use more pre-fabricated components and systems construction. I am tired at looking at cheap construction which has very short useful life expectancies.
Back in the late '80's, HUD came out with brochures of similar cost saving measure construction means and methods and ideas. Perhaps PB should re-visit those ideas as well.
The comment, "Designing from the outside in" goes contrary to the way I was taught to design. Start with a program of what you want inside the house and work your way out. Figure out who your customer is and plan for anticipated future technologies, ie: empty conduits.
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