THE 12 ARCHITECTURAL PRINCIPLES

The 2010 Dream Home is based on a guiding set of 12 Architectural Principles of sustainability, simplicity, smart technology and convenience – four trends that are quickly becoming a must-have in the building industry. The concept is simple: create self-sufficient modules (Called “Building Blocks”) that can be combined to meet the unique needs of its home owner and can shrink or expand in size to grow with the users over time. These Building Blocks are combined to create a unique modular home that can include some or all of the features listed below depending on the owner’s desires to speak to the 12 standard Architectural Principles that each home across the globe answers to.

 1) Water: Rain water is captured from rooftops and stored for re-use onsite for garden irrigation.

 2) Food: Vegetable and herb gardens could figure prominently in the courtyard of these homes.

 3) Waste: Waste reduction can occur throughout the home through composting and kitchen recycling. Site grown food also eliminates packaging needs.

 4) Construction: Building Blocks can be bought and sold, added and subtracted as a family’s needs change over time.
 
 5) Air: Each Building Block can have independent air filtration systems, which could be useful for reducing airborne allergens and indoor pollution.

 6) Energy: The position of the Building Blocks could be arranged to promote warmth in winter and cool in summer thereby reducing energy consumption.  Solar panels could also be installed on the roof.

 7) Finance:  Building Blocks are cost-conscious in that it eliminates the need for a large mortgage. Home owners can start small by investing in a few individual pods and purchase more over time. Each Block could also be a future source of re-sale value to the homeowner.

 8) Mobility: Building Blocks can fit into existing neighbourhoods as they can easily be moved to new locations or added on top of existing structures. Homes could grow from a single family home into a duplex or triplex and be could be repurposed for commercial use as densities increase in an area.

 9) Communication: Technological advances can be incorporated into a central ‘Smart House’ system.  Motion detecting technology could allow HVAC and electricity to be easily controlled between building blocks so as to reduce overall energy consumption.

10) Social: The central courtyard can become the focal point for social interaction and could be visible to anyone within the structure or even outside from most angles.

11) Spatial: Building Blocks are not closed-off to the outside world. The idea of the suburban backyard can be removed so that the house can be visually interesting from all angles.

12) Identity: Each building block or pod can have interior and exterior panels that could be easily removed and replaced according to the homeowner’s changing design inspirations.