Lifestyle-driven architecture

It’s like the Guggenheim but homey.
LivingHomes, a developer of modern, sustainably designed, prefabricated homes, has partnered with Kohler Co. to present the Kohler LivingHome, which debuted at the TED Conference, Feb. 3 – 7, in Long Beach, Calif.
The new KieranTimberlake line of LivingHomes offers six “expandable” single-family residences and multi-family models that are designed for “infill” or inner city lots that have limited space and views.
Designed to achieve LEED-Platinum certification, the two-story, 2,200-square-foot home features furnishings, materials, products and technologies that showcases high design with a low ecological footprint. Some of these products include, Anderson composite wood recycled frame windows, Sherwin Williams no VOC and Low VOC paints and stains, Humabuilt Wheatcore doors, Trex decking, railing and trim products, Lyptus hardwood floors, Crossville recycled mosaic glass and porcelain tiles and Dupont Zodiac countertops.

Essentially a series of simple, stylish, stacked boxes, the modern aesthetic offers open and flexible interiors and promotes passive solar and day lighting. The design also reflects LivingHome’s Z6 Sustainable Building Goals for construction and operation: Zero water, Zero energy, Zero waste, Zero emissions, Zero carbon and Zero ignorance.
“As with all LivingHomes, the Kohler LivingHome features a comprehensive environmental program which dramatically reduces the water and energy the home requires for operation, as well as reducing construction waste and indoor air pollution,” says Steve Glenn, CEO of LivingHomes. “Once it is placed on a permanent site, the home will generate and store power, and it will be eligible for LEED certification.”
The home is valued at $675,000 but is being offered for sale at $499,950. That price does not include transport, install or foundation.
Photos courtesy of Visual Nomad.

What’s your material IQ?

Your design is perfect, but a bad finish can ruin the whole experience.
Kenn Busch, a magazine editor with 20 years of experience in the furniture industry, has launched Material Intelligence — a resource featuring furniture and interior material options for architectural and interior design. According to Busch, the site uses designer-specific definitions and frequently asked questions about a range of materials, including HPL, TFM, 3-D laminates, engineered veneers and decorative metals. It’s also a vehicle for material suppliers to educate the ultimate end users on new products.
The site features an archive of real-life application stories on where specific materials have been used in various markets.
Unlike Wikipedia, this site isn’t updated by just anyone. Therefore, you won’t be bamboozled into believing Dustin Diamond is the brother of Beastie Boy Mike D. and embarrass yourself in front of all your friends. This site requires a login to add information and all suppliers must register.