Two problems plague house design and building.
We have solutions.
A house’s influence goes well beyond its fundamental role as shelter, but that influence is being overlooked and underestimated.
Problem #1
In the past 50 years we have learned a great deal about the impact of our surroundings on our mental and physical health. For instance, research concludes that natural light, an indoor/outdoor connection and soft lighting significantly impact our mood, health, recovery and connection with others. But you don’t need research studies to convince you of that. You have noticed this before.
Some spaces feel different, they feel “right.” If you think back to being in those spaces, you’ll likely recall things like plentiful natural light, a view of nature and a sense of simplicity and order. Research has confirmed your instinct. We know for certain that these things alter our mood, clarity, health and inter-personal connection. And nowhere is this more important than at home.
Unfortunately, house design hasn’t kept up with what we’ve learned. As the world gets more chaotic every day, humanity craves peace and connection. The design of a house has a significant influence on these things, but it’s not being leveraged.
Our solution
Design for the people living in the house. Everything is subservient to the inhabitants.
Thousands of studies, articles, research paper and books have illuminated the built world’s powerful influence on the well-being of human beings.
This data, coupled with personal interviews and experience has helped us develop five design principles that create evidence-based places of peace where human beings can thrive.
A house is one of the biggest financial investments in life. The cost of a house is increasing significantly, but the product isn’t improving.
Problem #2
Material and labor costs have increased dramatically over the past 7 years. We are paying more but the product isn’t improving. Additionally, selling costs can be enormous, limiting the budget available for noble materials and modern systems that add beauty, objective value and efficient performance.
The affects of these cost increases are magnified by needless design complexity, which is typically cosmetic and has no impact on the function or value of the house.
Simplify. Increase the budget available for value-added improvements through better design and processes.
Our solution
By simplifying the form of the house, designing for build efficiency and handling the sales process ourselves, we are able to re-allocate budget and increase the investment in materials and systems by about 12%.
These investments include things like steel roofs, better (and more) windows and highly efficient heating and cooling systems. Not only do these things increase the objective value of the home, they significantly reduce monthly operating costs.