method homesfollow along as we build prefab homesSpencer Lake is done and set for delivery this week….set day on Friday. Here are some pics of the site and the home sitting in our custom prefab shop.
More updates to come but for now a quick one:
-Orcas Island project starts Aug.9th
-Lid Park still waiting for City of Seattle permits…yikes! Not the ideal way for the process to go but for those of you who are waiting on this one, it will be set and complete very soon.
The City of Seattle apologizes!
Last night Method and Infinity Real Estate hosted an event to announce the winners of the Backyard Cottage Design Challenge we sponsored. We at Method feel that backyard cottages, which are now allowed in Seattle city wide, are a great solution to increasing density in Seattle’s residential zones that make up around 2/3 of the city and we are honored to be involved in hosting the event.
Method would like to thank all of the participants, entrants, judges and people who attended. We are grateful for all of the interest and time everyone put into making the design challenge a success. We are amazed by the quality of all of the work and look forward to displaying all of the entries on a special section of the website shortly.
Without further adieu:
Overall Best in Show: Backyard Box by Blip Design
Best Design Execution: HOMB Modular*
*Disclaimer: The principals of Method Homes are principals in HOMB Modular and the results of the design challenge were determined by independent judges selected by Infinity Real Estate.
Runner Up Best Design Execution: Gist Architecture
Most Adaptable: microhouse smart module by Microhouse
Most Innovative: AREA_ 10 BIOSPHERE REMIX by Baldwin West Design baldwinwest@comcast.net
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44522187@N04/
Most Sustainable: Backyard Box by Blip Design
Design Showcase: Sustainable Backyard Cottages
Save the date – May 24th - for one of the most innovative housing events in Seattle this summer.
Method Homes and Infiniti RED have joined forces to promote public awareness around one of Seattle’s most affordable infill housing options by hosting the Backyard Cottage Design Challenge Showcase.
This event will showcase the work of over 35 local architects and designers who are combining good design with livability and sustainability. Event goers will have the opportunity to view all design challenge entries, meet the designers, participate in the awards ceremony, and enjoy food and drink. Design challenge winners will be selected by a jury of public and professional designers.
Awards will be given for the following 5 categories:
1. Overall Best Design
2. Honorable Mention for Overall Best Design
3. Most Innovative
4. Most Sustainable
5. Most Adaptable (to different sites and programs)
Backyard cottages can be built on city lots over 4000sf and are a more sustainable infill option for adding density to the urban landscape. Many homeowners are now exploring constructing these for additional income, extended family or downsizing. We encourage those interested to come & meet the top designers of Seattle’s backyard cottages.
Location: SPACE: 7601 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle 98103
Date and Time: May 24th – Doors open at 5:30pm
Entry: Free & open to the public
Jurors include:
Seattle City Planning Commissioner, David Cutler
Principle of Hybrid Architecture, Robert Humble
O’Brien and Company, Colleen Groll
Advisor to the judges:
Seattle City Planner, Andrea Petzel
For more information Contact:
Brian Abramson. 206.790.2852. brian@methodhomes.net. Method Homes offers sustainability-built, energy efficient, healthy and durable pre-fabricated dwellings with a focus on high quality craftsmanship and client satisfaction.
Eva Otto. 206.235.6925. eva@infinitiRED.com. Infiniti RED (Real Estate & Development) is a Seattle-based real estate & consulting firm with an emphasis on next generation efficient green housing.
Sustainable Backyard Cottages Design Challenge:
Help us create the next generation of affordable, green housing!
Method Homes and Infiniti RED are joining forces to promote public awareness of Backyard Cottages in Seattle with the Design Challenge for Sustainable Back Yard Cottages.
Call for Submissions!
Architects and designers! Method Homes, a Seattle-based custom prefab manufacturer, is looking for innovative backyard cottage designs to offer their growing client base. Design challenge participant’s entries will be unveiled at a public event in May, and top winners will be displayed at the Method Homes/Infiniti RED booth at the Seattle Green Festival in June, showcased on Method Home’s website, and included in all design challenge promotional materials.
To submit an entry:
* RSVP to brian@methodhomes.com by April 17th
* Submit all drawings on a presentation board by May 15th
* Winners will be announced publicly the week of May 24th
Guidelines
1. Submit renderings and floor plans mounted on presentation board. Models are encouraged, but not required.
2. Renderings should be drawn to scale but do not need to be electronic or precise.
3. Designs shall comply with Seattle City code for Backyard Cottages, which specifies that: cottages can be no more than 800 square feet in area, with a height limit of 15 – 23 feet depending on lot width. Parking is required.
4. Designs shall be prefab friendly, so each module must be no wider than 16? and taller than 13?. Method will build with any construction technique and material so there are no limitations. We encourage creativity and innovation.
5. Architects retain full rights to their designs and may use them at their discretion.
6. Method Homes shall have the right to feature designs on their website (presented as a prefab model available to the public) and on marketing and PR surrounding the design challenge.
7. Clients shall contract directly with Architect for use of their design and for further design work.
About Infiniti RED
Infiniti RED (Real Estate & Development) is a Seattle-based real estate firm with an emphasis on the next generation of efficient green housing. They work closely with Method Homes in promoting their custom prefabs. For more information visit www.infinitiRED.com.
Another prefab home designed by Pb Elemental is in the works for LA. Method has been working with the owner for some time now and we are currently in the process of site feasibility. Below are some images of the home. We’re hoping this home takes shape for a summer delivery. We’ll keep you posted.
Method is very excited to have the Method Cabin featured in author Sheri Koones new book, Prefabulous + Sustainable, which just hit book stores this last week. We have known about this project for almost a year but to see it in print is very rewarding. It is such an excitingly educational tool on the prefab industry and what the near future will bring. Prefabulous + Sustainable is not just a picture book, rather a thorough study of how companies are building more efficient homes with different prefab methods. It is an honor to be featured next to so many other companies who are trying to build more efficiently and sustainably through off-site production. Below is an excerpt from Sheri’s new book. Thank you Sheri!
“Over the years, as author of several books on home construction, I’ve explored many of the ways that people build. Nothing, though, impresses me more than the amazing evolution of prefabrication.”
You can purchase Prefabulous + Sustainable on Amazon.com.
Apologies on no blog posts for some time, but we’ve been busy…which is good. We have much exciting news to share but just can’t seem to find the time to do so.
A few quick updates:
-Method is updating our website which should be live before the next Dwell hits the stands! Finally after two years! Look for our add in the back of the annual PreFab issue. Thanks for continuing to support prefab Dwell!
-Method is working on upcoming prefab home projects, and we are fortunate to have a nearly full schedule for the remainder of the year. Check the details of these new projects in updated site….again coming very soon we hope.
-We officially launched Homb in partnership with Skylab Architecture. www.welcomehomb.com This prefab system will revolutionize the way we look at designing and building. Look for a Homb near you very soon.
-Method begins production on our first Seattle infill project next week! With Pb Elemental. www.pbelemental.com We’re excited about this project and all that prefab has to offer this type of urban infill environment. See renderings.
-We have a new office: 3132 Fairview Ave. E Seattle WA 98102 Stop by and say hello, have a glass of wine with Brian. Bring your boat….we have moorage!
-Method in development on new DADU (detached accessory dwelling unit) project for Seattle….can’t share too much yet.
-Look for Method featured in new prefab book by renowned author Sheri Koones, foreword by Robert Redford. Book titled Prefabulous + Sustainable, due out in April but available for presale at Amazon.com
Thanks everyone for their support. We appreciate all of you. Talk soon.
The M2 in Glacier is almost complete. Here are a couple sneak peek photos of the inside. More to come shortly.
Here’s to a great 2010! Cheers.
Here are a couple shots I took today in our shop, of the M2 cabin almost ready for delivery and install. Our delivery and crane companies along with our set crew is scheduled for this Weds, Dec 9th and the weather looks to be cold but favorable. These shots are pretty blurry for some reason but you can see the progress. I’ll post pics of the interior a few days after set, once we get it into some natural light! For now, hope you enjoy these pics as I have not posted any of this home in a couple weeks.
I was recently in DC and had a chance to check out the Solar Decathlon being set up. Unfortunately I was unable to see the homes completed and in competition. Very cool stuff going on at colleges all across the country who compete in this annual competition. Check out solardecathlon.org for more information. For now check out all of the cranes on the Mall. So cool! The students have chosen to build most of the homes prefab or modular. At one point I thought I was witnessing a presidential escort and realized it was a big modular delivery truck being escorted into the city presidential style. The delivery company had a big official looking SUV traveling at high speed from traffic light to traffic light making sure the modules were brought in to the city with no disruption to the flow of the everyday DC life. Plus I think the local law enforcement needs the streets clear of over sized loads.
