Book Description

Consumers searching for cheaper housing have changed the residential housing market from one based on design to one focused on time and budget. Instead of using innovations to drive down the price, it is the opinion of some that the housing industry has cheapened the product. Typical developer housing provides only a few pre-designed models with the option of changing only a few superficial elements. However, trends show that society is increasingly interested in housing that responds to consumers' specific interests, needs, and preferences through design. The growing popularity of home improvement television shows as well as designer products demonstrate the desire for a well-designed place to live. This research will provide ways to improve current design practices in residential architecture for middle class families while maintaining the same relative cost of a developer house. Precedents include the classic designs of Frank Lloyd Wright's Usonian houses. These designs used various principles to address issues of space and sequence, use of the site, privacy, and construction. Using these principles in residential design, innovative advancements in building construction, and other designer products, will aid in finding a solution to the problems of moderately priced houses today. This research will be utilized to produce a design that can be customized more toward the individual characteristics and desires of the homeowner unlike many current builder houses. This research will present ideas for improving the quality of residential design for the average home buyer as they discover a greater appreciation for a product designed specifically to their desires.