Green Living "i"-Home

The Green Living “i”-Home* project assembled a team of experts in each of the key building industries represented by design, construction, and finance. Through an innovative, integrated design process, this team optimized labor, time and construction costs—leaving more room for design that is smart, efficient and sustainable. The design is intended to provide for an urban demographic of people who want green homes that are affordable, beautiful, and match their values. The project was dubbed the Green Living “i”-home for a number of reasons that reminded us of what we hear in the high tech world, and our experiences with, technologies such as the new iPhone. These include the ability of customers to exert increased control and customization of their environments, connectivity to social networking and enhanced social environments, and breaking down technological and institutional barriers between consumers, products, and values. Our team wanted to respond to the challenge of an apparent lack of options in the marketplace, and a shortage of interest by the development community to create workforce housing. We decided to undertake an experimental research and development project, without a specific client, in order to solve multiple challenges we had encountered on past projects. These include the ability to: Create value for an underserved market of those living at 80-120% of the median income. Reduce construction costs and lower price per unit of housing by building on innovations in different design processes and construction techniques. Reduce time to market. Minimize the project time of delivery and eliminate uncertain project delivery dates which impact cost. Create a prototype. Envision a flexible, adaptable model that could be replicated and modified to fit a variety of design solutions. Without a specific client or site, we were free to explore all options. Reinvent architectural process and product. Reconnect aspects that often operate in relative isolation, with one collaborative team including contractor and developer. *with apologies to SDI Technologies and their Live Life Loud and iHome products. What can we say? You inspired us!