Link to City here

One of our partners for modular production is Blazer Industries in central Oregon.  They are one of a few modular production facilities capable of handling a variety of custom and sustainable details such as SIPs panel construction, advanced framing, and pretty much anything else we have requested.  We are featured on their portfolio page here.

(from DJC’s Excellent Green Building Blog) In the fallout from the recession, I’m hearing a little bit here and a little bit there about green housing projects. But what I seem to be hearing a lot about is prefabricated, modular projects or buildings constructed of pieces made at a factory. Whether cottage dwellings to go in a backyard or totally separate houses, this field seems to have an underlying invigorating energy, leaving me to wonder if it’s the next big thing?

The GreenFab demonstration home, courtesy GreenFab

Locally, two companies come to mind. I recently met and interviewed the owners ofGreenFab- Johnny Hartsfield and Swen Grau – about their very first modular housing project in Jackson Place, pictured at left. GreenFab’s overarching goal is to revolutionize housing. But it plans to start now by building well-designed, sustainable, affordable modular projects, or by consulting for others who want to do the same thing. Look for a story soon on this company in the DJC.

You might remember my mentioning GreenFab in a post from last summer here (as a disclaimer from that post, GreenFab’s projects will likely not pursue the Living Building Challenge now, though Hartsfield plans to do so in the future). The project is targeting LEED platinum certification.

The other company, Backyard Box, was founded by Seattle green developer Sloan Ritchie. This concept is focused more on backyard cottages. Customers select a design they want with a set price, can choose to pay

A Backyard Box project by Blip Design, courtesy Backyard Box

for upgrades, and leave permits and construction to Backyard Box. I wrote a story about the business in April here.

Then there was June’s Backyard Cottage Design Challenge Showcase, hosted by Method Homes (another local developer of prefab projects) and Infiniti RED. The challenge showcased the work of 35 local architects and designers who submitted prefab friendly backyard cottage designs. That showcase can be viewed here.

The story continues on here: http://www.djc.com/blogs/BuildingGreen/?m=20100824

The release text is here:

Updated Backyard Cottage Guide Released

Planning Commission and DPD create user guide for Seattle homeowners

SEATTLE – The Planning Commission and the Department of Planning and development have released an updated version of their incredibly successful A Guide to Building a Backyard Cottage which helps a homeowner successfully design and build a backyard cottage.  The Guide now reflects the December 2009 legislation allowing backyard cottages citywide.  The new guide is available at: www.seattle.gov/dpd/backyardcottage

“Because the guide has been so influential we have updated it to reflect the changes in the citywide legislation,” stated Josh Brower, Planning Commission Chair, “we also see this guide as a celebration of an important piece of legislation that provides a valuable opportunity for housing choice in Seattle.”

Since the legislation passed Seattle has received national and local attention including;

·         National press coverage from USA Today, with a cover story “Seattle’s Backyard Cottages Make a Dent in Housing Need.”   The article ran on May 26^th and featured backyard cottage owners, as well as city staff and elected officials.  The article, and accompanying online video, can be viewed at http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2010-05-25-cottages_N.htm

·         A local design challenge for backyard cottages that highlighted the creativity and flexibility of backyard cottage design.  Planning Commissioner David Cutler served as one of the judges.  All of the entries and winners can be viewed here: www.methodhomes.net/backyard-cottage-design-challenge.html.

·         A cottage industry of small architectural firms dedicating their practice to developing designs for backyard cottages.  Backyard cottages have provided an important economic development opportunity in these challenging times.  Here is just a very small sampling of the press on the backyard cottage industry sprouting up in Seattle;

o    http://content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2010/07/worlds-smallest-houses-turn-heads/1

o    http://tinyhouseblog.com/tiny-house/seattle-backyard-cottages/

o    http://blog.seattlepi.com/greenbuilding/archives/195283.asp

o    http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2012435168_grannypod25.html

o    http://westseattleblog.com/2010/08/ncompass-cottage-company-welcoming-a-new-wsb-sponsor

In addition, 32 permits have been filed for backyard cottages in neighborhoods throughout the City since December 2009.  That brings the total number of backyard cottage permits to approximately 60, and the Guide to Building Backyard Cottages has proven to be an important and effective tool for educating the public on how to build quality backyard cottages.

Seattles residents can now add a fully functioning living abode in their backyard due to new legislation that passed recently, and Backyard Box heeds the call with their new Backyard cottages or modular homes. This award winning design is compact, functional, and stylish to boot. According to the Press Release by Backyard Box

read the rest here

The Mini is our smallest, basically a 1-room studio that would be usable for an office, guest suite, art studio, yoga studio, hobby space, etc.  A little retreat right in your backyard.   It’s even upgradeable to a complete dwelling unit if future plans change.  From $39,500, completed, tastefully appointed, insulated, wired, ready for use (not a kit, not a storage shed from Lowe’s!).

The Loft Box is another way to maximize living space in a very small footprint.  The sleeping loft is above the living room & kitchen, yet the footprint is so small it will fit almost anywhere!

Check out our feature on page 58 of June 2010 Seattle magazine.