http://jetsongreen.disqus.com/A design-oriented site for sustainable homes, natural materials, and green technology.enTue, 10 Jul 2012 15:23:48 -0000http://www.jetsongreen.com/2009/06/charlie-lazor-dwell-home-sausalito.html#comment-583368519<p>My husband and I have a FlatPak house; 2400 sf, 2-story, 40 miles north of SF. Actually we were the 2nd FlatPak off the assembly line. Although we ultimately ended up with a beautiful home the process was frought with unbelievable challenges. We managed to finish the house on time &amp; on budget, but only due to the combined efforts of our GC + my husband and I - amazing General Contractor + my knowledge of Design &amp; Construction (I'm an arch/project mgr for big healthcare projects) + my husband becoming chief product specifiier (he's a busy physician but basically spent every free moment between patients getting the parts &amp; pieces worked out.) Unlike the project shown above, we didn't have a $bazillion budget. We actually chose FlatPak because they sold them as 'great design under $300/sf' so 'regular folks' could have a great design. They also billed it as "green"...it was anything but. Tons of resources to ship the components to the site with some materials coming from as far away as Sweden(?!) when similar materials were available closer to manufacturer. There was also an enormous amount of waste; our GC joked that he could have built a second unit on our property using just the packing materials from the components. Like I said, in the end, we got a beautiful home and managed to keep on our very fixed budget and schedule but it wasn't easy. We wrote to Dwell Magazine (they were featuring the FlatPak when it first came out) to talk about all of the Lessons Learned but they weren't interested. I would love it if a real dialogue could happen discussing the real benefits, approaches, challenges, improvements, etc. re: PreFab &amp; Modular residential design and construction. It has enormous potential.</p>TCTue, 10 Jul 2012 15:23:48 -0000http://www.jetsongreen.com/2009/06/charlie-lazor-dwell-home-sausalito.html#comment-12247305<p>Actually, this home IS a FlatPak House. </p>philTue, 07 Jul 2009 07:52:50 -0000http://www.jetsongreen.com/2009/06/charlie-lazor-dwell-home-sausalito.html#comment-11706346<p>Gorgeous home! Too bad I dont have a few extra million sitting around that I could use to get this place. I am completely in love with the view, especially from the bathtub. I could imaging relaxing for hours looking at the water. The extra deck space is really cool too</p>Portland Real EstateWed, 24 Jun 2009 19:40:28 -0000http://www.jetsongreen.com/2009/06/charlie-lazor-dwell-home-sausalito.html#comment-11664533<p>Well, if I was in the market for an oversized, overpriced home, it would probably look a lot like that one.... Very cool design.</p>Brian N.Wed, 24 Jun 2009 06:21:52 -0000http://www.jetsongreen.com/2009/06/charlie-lazor-dwell-home-sausalito.html#comment-11650954<p>Does anybody know what the outside wood panels are? They look great.</p>RobertTue, 23 Jun 2009 19:38:46 -0000