July 5, 2012
Seattle firm making pre-fab modules for Portland house using HOMB system
Seattle-based Method Homes and Skylab Architecture of Portland will break ground this month on a completely modular, pre-fabricated house in the Irvington neighborhood of North Portland.
They developed the system they call HOMB. It includes a super-insulated building skin, highly efficient mechanical system, and water conservation features.
HOMBs are made of 100-square-foot triangular shaped modules, which are stacked and assembled. How and where they are laid out determines the design of the home.
The two-level, four bedroom, 3.5-bathroom Portland house will be composed of 28 triangular modules.
It will have 3,930 square feet, and an accessory dwelling with 800.
The house will also have a partial subgrade basement. Photo voltaic panels will be installed on the roof.
The modules are manufactured in Ferndale. The firms said building the units in a factory means waste is minimized and materials are recycled. Sustainable materials also are in used in construction.
Tours of the Portland HOMB will begin in September. Go to http://www.welcomehomb.com in late July to get the address.
Skylab Architecture designed the house and Method Homes is the prefab builder. Schutte Consulting Engineers is the structural engineer and Rainier Pacific is the contractor.
The project is being sponsored by product manufacturers to show their materials.
HOMBs come in small, medium or large, and can be cutomized. They can also be used in multifamily and commercial projects.
The Portland house will cost $197 per square foot, which includes everything (including design and permitting) except the land.
Skylab Architecture was founded in 1999. It works on hospitality, retail, housing and commercial projects.
It won awards for design of a support facility for the Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant in Portland that is expected to break ground next year.
In Seattle, Skylab designed renovations to public spaces at the W Hotel and Creature advertising agency's office on Capitol Hill. It is designing interiors for a 120-unit apartment complex by Gerding Edlen Development at 1519 Minor Ave. Perkins + Will is the architect.
Method Homes was founded in 2007. It is a custom manufacturer of prefabricated structures.
Method recently installed modular houses in Venice Beach, Calif., and in the San Juan Islands. It has other modular houses in production for Bainbridge Island and the Olympic Peninsula.