Affordable Pre-Fab Housing Model Debuts at TED2012

by Ian Volner | Tuesday, March 6, 2012 | 11 Comments

The TED series’ 2012 conference last week in Long Beach, California was the backdrop for the unveiling of a new project from a unique collaborative team of designers and manufactures. C6 is a prototype for an affordable, stylish, and mass-produced prefabricated housing unit—the first of its kind to boast a net-zero carbon footprint.

The project comes from the collective minds of New York- and Los Angeles-based architects Curated. and interiors specialists Jamie Bush & Co., in partnership with forward-thinking home builder LivingHomes and Brad Pitt-endorsed nonprofit Make It Right. The public was given a sneak-peek of the project last week, when it put in an appearance at Palm Spring’s annual Modernism Week; that model was actually purchased by a visitor to the event, and will be erected on a vacant site in Los Angeles.

The C6 prototype structure is a complete residence with an en suite package of amenities—from appliances to plumbing to cabinets—all in a 1,232-square-foot envelope that sells for a (relatively) modest $179,000. Making extensive use of salvaged materials, refinished wood, and recycled metal, the house qualifies for a LEED Platinum rating, the highest available.

Images courtesy of LivingHomes and Curated.

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11 comments

Kathy Dustman

Posted Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 01:57 pm | Permalink

Wow. This house is so amazing! I WANT one!
Skip Fresn R.A., LEED AP BD+C

Posted Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 01:58 pm | Permalink

Where can i get a set of contract documents?
Jenise Adams

Posted Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 02:30 pm | Permalink

How can I see more of this home and possibly others having alittle more sq.ft.?
This type of efficient, beautiful, and sustainable living is so relevent in
today’s world…..
Sarah Barton-Kingp

Posted Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 03:01 pm | Permalink

Stunning. I love the fact that it is sustainable. In fact, it is high time that w all approached life in this way. Is it modular?

Just got to find that piece of land with the ability to link up to the necessaries.
Regards and all the best
Sarah
Sarah Barton-King

Posted Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 03:03 pm | Permalink

Congratulations! This is how we should all be living, sustainable living to keep the planet healthy. We don’t need much more than this. Is it a modular system?

Just need to find a piece of land with the necessary linkups.
claudia miller

Posted Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 03:12 pm | Permalink

how much is a basic unit
Pat Valentine Ziv

Posted Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 08:37 pm | Permalink

Love the pre-fab world and would love to become involved!
Sally Portafekas

Posted Thursday, March 8, 2012 at 09:18 pm | Permalink

I have previously read about these homes in home magazines and envied people that built them to accommodate their finances. My daughter and I would love to move to California and be able to purchase a home, a little bigger such as this. Will there be communities that will build these homes to compete with regular home builders?
Garden studios

Posted Monday, March 12, 2012 at 12:49 pm | Permalink

It is the price of land that makes homes unaffordable rather than the price of materials and design. Also mass production by large building companies pushes up prices because of their overheads.
So, individuals with building knowledge and some imagination can build cheap houses – if they can afford the land to build on!
Katelyn

Posted Sunday, April 1, 2012 at 11:57 am | Permalink

Check out earthen ship homes. They’re made out of tires. Less expensive.
Patrick Kedziora

Posted Friday, April 13, 2012 at 05:01 pm | Permalink

Where do I purchase one? Tell me so I can send you payment asap Love it. Finally, good design, good materials, good size and almost at a good price.