MySA reports that American Institute of Architects award winning Lake|Flato Architects has entered the modular/prefabricated home field with a new subsidiary. Lake|Flato Porch House is building Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified modulars in Navasota TX, near Houston. “What Lake|Flato does particularly well comes into play,” said Lake|Flato architect Bill Aylor. “Yes, this is modular construction, but we’re still applying our design expertise on how we can respond specifically to different sites.” “You still have to be able to personalize the design and adapt it to the site,” said Ted Flato, principal at Lake|Flato. “Each project is an attempt to come up with something new.” The 17 foot wide modules can be built to net zero energy standards, using solar panels. Designing and building a home with an architect is often a two-year process. But going with the modular design can compress that time period to between six and nine months, Flato said. Costs for a completed and delivered Porch House will run between $150 and $225 per square foot, plus design services vs. about double that for a traditionally built Lake|Flato house. “It’s a very affordable way to use an architect, but it’s not going to work for everyone,” Flato said. “This is not for someone who doesn’t care what their spaces are like.” The firm is looking for other locations in various parts of the U.S., as they believe a 500 mile radius from Navasota is about what the current production facility can cost effectively service.
