Patio House

Modern, accessible, sustainable design for affordable housing

As part of a pilot program coordinated by Habitat for Humanity International and Public Architecture, we designed a prototype home that introduces accessibility, sustainability, flexibly, and a modern approach to living to the affordable housing arena. In contrast to a typical Habitat house (of which there are many variants) the Patio House emphasizes passive solar orientation and indoor–outdoor living for a more intentional site integration strategy. The home combines a layered set of spaces in bands across the site: private rooms on the north separated from open public areas by a line of storage, and a private, fenced-in patio or garden to the south. The back yard is kept free for possible gardening or play. While we designed a 3 bedroom, 1 ½ bath home, the prototype accommodates larger and smaller variations as well as different site proportions and orientations.

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On-grade, accessible front porch

Construction:
Insulated slab on grade, advanced wood framing on 24” centers, wood trusses, metal or comp. shingle roof, cedar rainscreen wall cladding, pre-fabricated cabinets, high-performance windows and doors.

Energy systems:
Passive solar orientation and built-in shading, super-insulated walls and a high-performance envelope design, on-demand hot water heater.

Designed in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of the Easter Bighorns in Sheridan, Wyoming, the Patio House prototype is available (with variations for site & climate specificity, and locally available materials) for all chapters.

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