Rock Reach

 

A collaborative effort between o2 architects' Martin Brunner and Lance O'Donnell, FAIA and Prefabricated Home developer Blue Sky Building Systems; this 1,000 square foot home is located in the Mojave Desert region at 4,000’ above sea level. The program called for a sustainable, modestly scaled residence to serve as a prototype for a prefabricated line of homes. Special attention was paid to site placement and building orientation. Inspired by Le Corbusier's "Domino"; the building contains a pure structure of columns and planes. Adaptability is created by the non-load bearing walls and openings that can be moved within the structure to satisfy a variety of site conditions.  

 

The home is positioned above the site on moment-resisting columns and beams of cold-formed, light gauge steel. The building envelope is composed by a grid of pre-manufactured wall panels and standardized building components. The bathroom module, containing all home MEP systems, is built off-site and delivered finished. Interior spaces are defined by the placement of storage cabinetry, eliminating interior framed walls. Solar technologies provide electricity, hot water and space heating.

 

The flat-packed building components minimize transportation volume and promote sustainability through material/structural efficiency and can be dissembled and relocated. The inherent nature of prefabricated design ensures low embodied energy and minimizes site waste. The prototype was completed in May 2009 after a construction schedule of 8 weeks and a construction budget of $270/sf.