new vernacular
it’s time to adapt housing for climate resilience and ecological regeneration.
we believe that vernacular architecture – like the swiss chalet or the moroccan kasbah – most effectively adapts to local ecology. so we have developed, based on our experience designing single-family residences, a series of modhouse designs (modular, modifiable, modern, and mode-shifting).
modhouses feature
compact space design
passive solar design
energy efficient hvac systems
fire resistant envelopes
high quality affordable components
our “new vernacular” offers accumulated insight from clients and collaborators, integrated technology, and simple plans for starter homes, remote getaways, laneway houses, and additions.
process
Contact us with your interest and we will provide you with a questionnaire, meant to help you set the goals and parameters of your project. Based on your response, we will meet with you to respond to your questions and offer our advice as to how to achieve your goals. Our preferred solution may be a modhouse, a fully custom design, or even avoiding new construction altogether. If you are interested to proceed, we’ll provide you a proposal for design services. This proposal will provide a preliminary estimate of construction cost, a fixed fee for each modhouse design included, and set hourly rates for modifications and site adaptation.
We begin each project by visiting the site. While on site we take photos and measurements of existing buildings. With project parameters set out and a feel for the place, we adapt the modhouse system to achieve your goals. Our solutions may include multiple modhouses connected by decks, breezeways, or greenhouses; modhouse linked to existing structures; or altered or extended versions of the pre-defined modhouses. During the technical design phase, we recommend building systems and review options, then wrap the design up into a set of construction documents. We provide cost estimates at each design phase.
As we develop each modhouse design, we like to offer possibilities for personalization: interior design, colour and material scheme recommendations. In the spirit of New Vernacular, we want you to feel supported by our community’s best ideas in construction while also finding your freedom of expression.
why modhouse?
these designs and the modhouse trademark are protected by Canadian, US, and international copyright laws