Quiet Down! Research Shows Perspective on Appliance Noise Shifting During COVID-19

How has COVID-19 and the Work From Home boom changed how Americans feel about noise in their homes and workspaces?

The vast majority of Americans (81%) believe COVID-19 has changed how they feel about noise in their environment, according to a survey of 1,000 U.S. adults by Wakefield Research for Quiet Mark.

The Wakefield Research breaks through the noise and provides key sound bytes:

Life Lessons: The pandemic has taught us many things, not the least of which is our innate need for calm: 44% of Americans have seen peace increase during COVID-19.

Space to Focus: Perhaps the widespread loss of dedicated workspace led workers to have a greater need for tranquility. Employed Americans are much more likely (54%) to have a greater need for peace since the start of COVID-19 than their non-employed peers (29%).

Sound of Silence: It seems likely the increase in alone time during social distancing has indeed made Americans more aware of their surroundings. Nearly 2 in 5 Americans (38%) are more aware of noise, and almost a third (31%) are more stressed around noise than before COVID-19.

Work-Life Sound Check: This growing awareness and sensitivity to noise change how many think about noise at work. If they were to consider changing jobs, an astonishing 72% now say noise levels will play a role in future employment decisions. Employed Americans under 40 are more likely (78%) to see this play a part than their older counterparts (67%).

Location Matters: Those with more flexibility in their work are more attuned to how noise affects their work. Employed Americans continuing to work a hybrid schedule are significantly more likely (87%) to consider noise as part of their future employment decisions than their strictly in-office counterparts (62%).

WFH (Work from Home) Hawks: The remote work experiment has opened our eyes to new possibilities. More than 2 in 5 employed Americans (41%) would prioritize work from home in any future employment decision because it is quieter and enables them to concentrate better.

 Conversely, some saw on-site work as more conducive to a positive working environment. Nearly a quarter (22%) of employed Americans would prioritize an on-site presence for any future employment decision, as they felt it was more productive than working at home.

Noise Matters: A significant number of Americans would take a different career path for a quieter work environment. 1 in 5 (20%) would work in a completely different industry to reduce their noise exposure.

Beyond a simple annoyance, the ramifications of noise pollution are vastly underestimated:

• 74% did not know that noise is the second biggest killing natural pollutant after air pollution.

• A third of Americans (33%) are unaware of the impact of noise on human health, such as sleep disturbances, high blood pressure, and even cardiovascular disease.

• Americans also underestimate how much noise it takes to do permanent harm. More than half (52%) assume the noise level of a rock concert is where hearing loss begins, around 110 decibels. But in reality, it takes much less. Hearing loss can begin at sustained noises of 70 decibels, equivalent to a vacuum cleaner or standing near a busy freeway. And those over 40 are much more likely (58%) to believe this myth than their younger peers (41%).

What Dreams Are Made Of

We toured an urban apartment building. The newest development in a somewhat post-pandemic era, designed and built with pandemic-proof and cutting-edge sustainable details. It’s funny, just a couple of short years ago our wishlist almost feels petty and frivolous — a pool, large closets, and hardwood floors. We never deeply considered the elements of the perfect home.

The building uniquely created a lifestyle, a place where no doubt you could safely grow your family, live, work, and enjoy this life. The building was a peculiar shape, almost like a bow-tie. This shape is what made the function of the building so functional. Every unit has a view into the courtyard and to the exterior of the building, creating a wonderful airy space on a cool, windy day, inviting maximum sunlight in to illuminate and warm, plus giving every homeowner a view into the courtyard daily happenings.

All of the materials used to detail the building — carpets, surfaces, textiles — are antimicrobial. Each door has touchless entry. Social spaces throughout are spacious and full of fresh air and light. It is all so thoughtful, intentional, and mind-blowingly awesome. Given the option, in addition to purchasing an apartment, you could purchase an office space which exists within the building and outside of your home. This was one of the best selling points for us as business owners who work from home. We would be able to cut down our gasoline use to fuel our cars for our daily commutes, save time from commuting, and confidently know our office would be more sustainable than any other office space in town. 

The fun doesn’t stop there. A continuous path stretches from street level to the penthouses and allows people to walk, run or cycle all the way from the ground floor up to the top. The path moves alongside apartments and townhouses with gardens, winding through as if it was an urban perimeter block. The green roof acts as a neighborhood garden, watershed, building coolant & reduces the urban heat island effect. There are a few outdoor restaurants and wine bars on the main floor of the building, with fabulous views of the courtyard and water. The walls surrounding the courtyards varied in height, to allow for more sunlight and wind to enter, not a common thought when planning urban courtyards. Cool courtyards, planted trees at entrances and container plantings on the balconies make for literally green, airy, and bright spaces. Truly, it was idyllic.

Living here would not only be pretty iconic, it would also be a huge learning experience for my family and me. Composting food waste is required for all homeowners; the building makes it easy, in addition to putting out your trash and recycling, there is a third bin for food waste. The food waste is composted and re-used for the rooftop garden and suburban farms. It amazes me what waste can do to regenerate and nourish. The building exclusively runs on solar energy, thanks to the panels scattered on the roof and in the lots adjacent. There are electric bike chargers scattered throughout the courtyards and sidewalks. Lights turn on as you enter any space throughout the building — halls, elevators, your own home. There is not a stone left alone when imagining this new way of life.

Beyond the social and environmental impacts, this building is economically considerate. This is a rare example where the tranquillity of suburban life seamlessly goes hand in hand with the energy of a big city, where business and housing co-exist. This newly built development, in what was an abandoned lot, has created job opportunities in retail, restaurants, an art gallery, offices, gardens, childcare and educational facilities. 

The tour was just starting to wrap up in the courtyard when.. my morning alarm yelled. I’m awake. Was it all just a dream?

Intention and thought is apparent and is what makes design great. For a well-designed home, it’s critical to consider nearly every element and how to make the details thoughtful for your family’s needs as you move through the future. I encourage you to explore what sustainability may look like for your home and your family, I bet you’ll learn a great deal & get pretty excited about reducing your footprint. 

The Future of Staying In

The home map.

7:00 am and my alarm dutifully wakes me. The sun is warmly peaking through the window, inviting a new day into my bedroom. My bedroom is cool and calming, a respite from busy days. No day is a day unless it begins with an inspiring workout and an even better breakfast. My master bath doubles as a gym at home. This way, no excuses. 

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Gym Meets Master Bath by Scavolini USA

The early morning spills into the start of the work day as I follow the path of motion-detecting ceiling lights to our office at home. The office, formerly a formal living room, is filled of natural light streaming, ergonomic space-age chairs, adjustable-to-stand desks, lighting options for rainy days and burning-the-midnight-oil nights, and upholstered tiled walls for better call-coustics (acoustics for video and phone calls). It’s a place that has helped me to flourish, stay inspired, and maintain productivity. 

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Mounted Acoustic Tiles

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Carilo Deluxe 9-Piece Wood Rectangular Outdoor Dining Set

The beautiful day is calling for an early afternoon break. I enjoy my breaks in the back of my home, on a small deck, large enough for a dining table and chairs. This break marks the daily shift in energy in me and my home. The music comes on throughout the garden and home and the afternoon drink of choice is poured. This small, private outdoor space has been therapeutic — I make time to read, listen to the birds, appreciate the feeling of grass beneath my feet, and breathe. Today, I am moving the table and chairs to the side so that I can do an afternoon Instagram Live yoga class. Before I know it, I have melted into the evening.

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Sol Abstract Geometric Print in Multi Yoga Mat, Society 6

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Under Stair Storage Solution

Something that has served as a version of meditation and inspiration for me is cooking. I enjoy learning new recipes, getting lost in the sensory of foods transform from humble ingredients to something so much greater than each of it’s parts. I expanded my pantry and storage by opening up the space beneath the stairs. A couple of years ago, I was running out of storage space. I began to purchase larger quantities of pantry items, wines, toiletries, but quickly realized I didn’t have adequate space for it all. I worked with a designer to reimagine my storage and kitchen spaces. All of the spaces in my home are so much more flexible and efficient than ever before. That feels really great, knowing that I am really taking advantage of my home spaces and that I can easily flow through cook time. Tonight, I am making a mean celery soup (I swear, one bite and you’ll agree). A few of components make this soup dope: locally-made chicken broth, a dollop of greek yogurt & a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Yesterday, I had a delivery of greek yogurt and other groceries delivered to my incoming zone. About the same time that I converted the kitchen and storage spaces, I converted my garage to be a center for hands-free deliveries. I open the door for the delivery and mail couriers via an app on my phone and they are able to place all of the groceries in a fridge in the garage. When I am ready, I am able to collect my groceries, with the help of antibacterial wipes and gloves. Not only is this super sanitary, it’s the most convenient. My garage also doubles as a disinfecting zone for when I leave and return home. I was thoughtfully advised to add a wash sink, sealable laundry hampers, rolling drawers of gloves, marks & antibacterial products. This space is so easy to keep clean and it’s incredible to me that I am able to disinfect everything before entering my home.

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The Gladiator Chillerator Garage Refrigerator

In the past, a home has always been an important place of shelter and comfort, but the last couple of years have demanded so much more of the home space. Homes need to become more flexible, more efficient, more productive, more sanitary, all while maintaining a deep sense of comfort and shelter.

With the help of designers with forward thinking, I was able to adapt my home to a new lifestyle. Prior to the last couple of years, I loved my home, but I was only home for breakfast, dinner and sleep. I now do everything at home and it’s so important for me mentally and emotionally to be able to comfortably move throughout the day’s activities without feeling stuck in the same place.

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The Future of Home Gardening with Babylon

This is where I leave you, I am off to a quick video date with a friend and then spending the night in my reading nook. I’m currently learning how to compost and regrow and grow my own vegetables in my in-home garden.

Signing off,

The Future You

Are You Ready For The New Normal?

During this time of quarantines and social distancing, families are coming together. More now than ever, families are spending most of their time together at home... Working, schooling, all while trying to create new routines and achieve some peace and calm in their own world. We, Jon and Monique, the Principals of JRML Associates, have always chosen to work and live in the same space together. We understand how challenging it can be at times to share one space for most of life’s activities. We also know the great benefits a well-designed live-work space can have on a family. While you settle into your new normal, think about what is and isn’t working for your family at home. Maybe you need to turn a rarely used formal living room into a workspace or playroom. Perhaps your media room doesn’t have enough seating. Maybe you need a more relaxing haven of a master bath, and your current bathroom isn’t doing it for you. Or you need an addition to accommodate your family’s new lifestyle. Whatever you need, we are experienced in design + build + interiors and help create solutions that make your home the most comfortable, efficient, and safe place for your family. In the meantime, here are four tips to help you and your family get through social distancing and spending more time together:

1. Sound control gives us the ability to concentrate on individual tasks. Consider acoustic panels to divide an open room.

2. The right lighting makes quite a difference - it not only sets an ambiance, it can have an effect on our mood.

3. Comfortable furnishings help us to relax and feel more safe.

4. Surrounding ourselves with beautiful furnishings and familiar objects makes us feel happier.

Stay Safe and Be Well.

BE MY BABY

Tips to create inspired spaces where your children will grow, learn, play, and make memories.

1. Above all, safety considerations.
   Cordless shades or motorized shades prevent accidental strangulation.  Keep flooring transitions a maximum of one quarter inch difference to avoid tripping.  Look for fire retardant fabrics for bedding and drapery.
   

2. Consider improved air quality to protect your child’s health. 
   Natural materials such as cork flooring, wool carpeting, and bamboo linens do not release toxic gas.  These materials are hypoallergenic, durable, and easy to clean.
   

3. Mix both natural and artificial light sources.
   Blackout and room darkening shades provide excellent sun control, making afternoon naps more successful.  Some shades also provide insulation, solar heat control, and UV protection.  Install dimmer switches to keep the lights low for those late-night feedings.
   

4. Music is the universal healer.
   Whether you install a professional in-home sound system or use your iPhone, remember the powerful effect of sound.
   

5. Storage is king.
   Push-open, soft-close drawers and doors are an excellent storage solution.  With a light touch, even with your knee, you can keep your hands on your baby.  Additionally, Soft-close drawers and doors will keep little fingers from getting caught.
   

6. Mirror, mirror, on the wall.
   Mirror a full wall or closet doors.  This will instantly double the size of the room and your baby will love seeing themselves and the additional people.
   

7. Change is good.
   Babies change quickly, but it may not be in your budget to change as often as they do.  Consider when you will want to make changes to your baby’s spaces.  Possibly after 2 years when babies typically come out of the crib, after 4 years when they typically enter pre-school.  Plan your furnishings and materials with this in mind.  Look for multi-function furniture, removable wall coverings, and layered window treatments. 

Here’s to living a beautiful (and safe) life with baby.

ILLUMINATING YOUR NEW YEAR

How will you shine this year?

The start of any new year brings a flurry of motivation and excitement.  But the start of this new decade feels like a surge of energy is ripping through the world.  More women and minorities are holding more influential seats in politics and big businesses (we see you, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sheryl Sandberg), startup companies with the intent to make the world a better place are succeeding beyond imagination (hello, The Wing), and we’re all hugely aware of the devastations throughout the world because our immediate lines of communication via social media which has helped unite, fundraise, and educate more than ever before.  With the turn of a new decade, have you asked yourself.. how will you shine this year? 

On an immediate and literal note, I’d like to share with you how to beautifully illuminate your home with LED lighting:

LED lights can feel too white and too cold.  With the right selection of color temperature, your home will be an energy-saving, beautiful sanctuary to help you shine brighter and tackle this new year and decade.  Instead of watts, LEDs are measured in Kelvin, CRI, and lumens.  

Kelvin measures color temperature.  For homes, it’s best to look for bulbs that are between 2700K and 3500K.  2700K is the closest to the yellow incandescent we are all used to.  3000K is ideal for bathrooms and kitchens where lighting needs to be brighter for tasks - cooking, cleaning, etc.  3500K is great for residential outdoors and commercial spaces.  Anything over 4100K is best for commercial and industrial spaces.

CRI measures the quality of color the light source is putting out.  The higher the number, the better the quality of the light and truer color will shine.  Look for ratings of at least 90+. 

Lumens indicate light output, the amount of light you’ll receive.  1600lm is nearly equivalent to a traditional 100watt, 600lm is nearly equivalent to 40watt.  Lumens only use about 25% watts of energy compared to their equivalent traditional bulbs. 

Add dimmers to your LEDs.  Not only an energy-saving move, but dimmers also allow you to create ambiance.  In bathrooms, dimmers can act as nightlights or, if you’re not an early bird like me, it is nice to gradually increase the light in the mornings.  Not all LED bulbs are dimmable, so look for it on the packaging.

Many interior LED lights are now available with motion sensors.  This function is particularly useful for kitchen drawers, closets, laundry rooms, hallways, and kids rooms. 

Set a schedule for LED bulbs throughout your home.  You can easily and affordably schedule your lights to come on and off throughout the day.  Before you come home for the evening, schedule lights to come on so you’re not searching for switches in the dark or be at ease knowing all of the lights are off during the day and you’re not wasting power.

LED fixtures can be more expensive than incandescent fixtures.  But my tip is that you can always substitute an LED bulb on incandescent fixtures. 

Add LED lamps that glow.  Sphere-shaped glow balls particularly nice to add a contemporary element to any room.  Mix a glow lamp to a bookcase, foyer console, dining room credenza, or really anywhere.  They are adaptable in so many spaces and add a beautiful diffused light. 

Here’s to a new year, a new decade.  Now, go on and shine bright and save energy.

CANDY CANE

Past, present & future.

For those design-curious readers who are plugged in, you have been seeing caned furniture* everywhere throughout the last few years. Mirrors, chairs, beds, pendants.. I’ve even seen caned slippers. It’s a wild time to be alive. Endless scrolling on Instagram and online shopping, I wanted to get an understanding of where this trend came from. Is it a mid-century revival? Is it older? And most importantly, how is it possible it looks so attractive in just about every space?

I suppose not surprisingly, cane hails from Ancient Egypt. Unsurprising because all good things stand the test of time. According to my research, Pharaoh Tutankhamun was laid to rest in a cane bed in his tomb. Fast forward 2,000 years, cane was imported to Europe as a solution for historically heavy and germ-ridden upholstery, and Marie Antoinette chose to finish her Petit Trianon estate in France with cane chairs. Now knowing the impressively ancient history of a material that evokes contemporary coolness and seeing how desirable it is today, the connection to the past is possibly one of the more magnificent things I have realized this year. I wonder what the cane pieces will look like in 2000 years from now?

The cane of today casts a pulled-together casual vibe, which is nearly impossible to achieve from a singular piece. It’s masculine, but not overly so. It’s light and airy but holds its weight aesthetically. It’s comfortable. If you ask me, it’s perfect and classic.

In honor of the heritage of furniture, I’m off to buy a set of caned chairs for my dining room, a Christmas present to myself. Here are some caned pieces to inspire your home.

*Cane, hailing from Ancient Egypt, is the skin of the rattan plant. It’s reliably durable, somewhat flexible, non-porous, and is woven into open-weave sheets to make furniture and baskets. The material is called cane, the process is called caning, and the product is caned furniture. This must be differentiated from cane furniture, which is any furniture made from rattan.

Thanksgiving in the New New World

What does your Thanksgiving look like?

Modernly famous for turkeys and packed airports, Thanksgiving has come a long way from the tale of pilgrims and natives celebrating a fruitful harvest in the new world. The new world was both a physical and abstract wonder that offered relatively unlimited hope to great beginnings, equality, and an idyllically bountiful future. We are now generations since the first celebratory feast, and I am curious to know... what does your Thanksgiving look like?

For many, the holiday brings a nostalgic warmth of watching holiday movies, seeing old friends and even older family, cooking and eating a wildly predictable menu displayed on heritage heirloom china. Thanksgiving in my family has always been beautifully celebrated with friends, family, a lot of champagne and air miles, and a delicious meal served on my Grandmother’s china. That exclusively-used-only-for-Thanksgiving china is what takes my breath away every year. I never met my Grandmother, but I know she was incredible and had a rich style. Rimmed with gold leaf, dutifully hand-painted, and delicate as a porcelain feather.. this china is fancy. The china is breathtaking, but the way my Mother styles the table is what leaves an impression. It doesn’t look like we’re uncomfortably stuck in 1960 something; instead, she styles the china with clean-lined, table length wood planters with calla lilies, seeded eucalyptus, and pears spilling out. The Concrete votives were sparkling the linen-draped table, and handblown colored stemware rounding out each place setting. The thoughtful contemporary accents honor the age-old china by aesthetically standing apart. The reality of the day may be significantly different than the Thanksgiving had by my Grandmother or the pilgrims for that matter. Still, the spirit remains from the genesis of a new world. We put differences aside, come together, share a meal, and celebrate.

Here’s to celebrating our heritage & future in the new new world.

- Brit Caricasole

ONE GREAT CHAIR

Are chairs to rooms as shoes are to women?

Two days at the High Point Furniture Market threw me into chair overdrive. Oversized, mini, overstuffed, covered in shearling, mixed patterns, leather and fabric mixed, lived in, tufted, hand carved, hammered metal, wire brushed wood, mid-century, California casual, or contemporary. It was endless. Regardless of the chair specifics, what stood out the most was how a chair can be unique in a room. In the most refreshing scenarios, the chair was unique yet complimentary of everything else sitting adjacent. This uniqueness instantly elevated a room with a bespoke elegance. Long gone were the rooms with matching sofas and chair sets. In a California-casual living room was a bold architectural wood and leather seater. An eclectic bohemian dining table was surrounded by clean-lined black cane chairs. A classic French living space was filled with re-imagined mid-century chairs covered in shearling. It was all so wildly exciting to see creativity injected into a space. Undeniably, each room emitted a stronger warmth and a notable attraction and ease from the added element of a unique chair. I began to ask myself, “Are chairs to rooms as shoes are to women?”

Many shoes of many women are coveted, adored, can be showstoppers, make a sartorial statement, and often are the genesis of an outfit. They look great on a shelf awaiting their next adventure. They are an easy to add accessory that quickly elevates both an outfit and a mood. They never have to perfectly match an ensemble but nicely compliment. Best of all, they will always fit.

In the world we live in, I have found how essential it is to have a reliable confidence and mood booster. A bad day is easily made a better day when a beautifully crafted shoe is slipped on. And that same day is made even better when it’s wrapped up with coming home to ease, warmth, and comfort cast by an inspired selection of furniture.

Here’s to inspiring you to create a uniquely you and bespoke living space for better days. - Brit Caricasole

Shearling Chair - Home of Katherine Power in Los Angeles. Chair by Galerie Half.

Leather Chair - Home of Sara Smith in Los Angeles. Chair by Sumner Shop.

The Importance of Napkin Sketches

Designers are creative beings who can easily find inspiration at any moment. A napkin sketch is an elemental expression of thought. Napkin sketches have been a go-to companion for those who find spur of the moment inspiration allowing for the exploration of thoughts and ideas with their hands. You can express primal feelings, a memory, even a philosophy. It’s a telling exercise about how people think, what is important to them, and the spirit of their thoughts. These little pieces of paper displaying ideas can eventually be turned into greater works of art.

My napkin sketch illustrates a series of walls and shading devices, forming a puzzle of sorts, allowing the clients to roam, repose in the shade, or recline in the sun. Should the idea be approved, my future sketches will be more refined, adding fur (landscape material), color, texture, seating, and a possible sculpture.

A Perspective on Perspective

A good architecture drawing is a joy to behold. Since I was a child, I have lost myself in the intricacies of perspectives, sections, and, later on, axonometrics, isometrics, sectional perspectives, worm’s eye views, collage facades, and all the other ways architecture appears as a pure image. In recent years, the possibilities have expanded because of computer-assisted or -driven visualization technologies. This has led to an ongoing debate about the nature and future of drawings in an age when representations can appear with little assist of human hands. One of my students, Sol Edelman, went so far recently as to accuse me of trying to force him to make drawings “that don’t show the truth and are not how we see the world anymore." Stunned, I retreated to my den to peruse with great pleasure Nalina Moses’ Single-Handedly: Contemporary Architects Draw by Hand, recently published by Princeton Architectural Press—but not before pointing out that computer renderings can lie with the best of them; and, by the way, just get over it and show me the design in a way that makes sense.

I remain astonished that the debate about “hand drawing” (which means, I guess, manipulating a pencil, pen, or brush, along with a Mayline, a triangle, and whatever tools are around) versus “computer drawings” (meaning visualizations produced through computer programs) rages on. Who cares? Is one better than the other? Should we be sad about the loss of ink wash perspectives? Or of plans drawn on parchment? Some architects—most notably the venerable Juhani Pallasmaa—have argued that we are losing some direct connection between the brain and our designs because we are not using our hands, which seems absurd to me. Others have argued that the speed and the shortcuts built into computer-assisted visualization means we don’t pay as much attention to what we are doing. That seems a valid point, but you could blame the demands for speed created by the rationalization of the workplace and economic pressures, as well as the distractions of daily life, for that as well. Finally, there is the notion put forward by some blog writers that default techniques, such as “[t]he ease of spinning 3D models around has led to the new normal being aerial views dramatically displaying the building rather than describing the user experience...” That, in turn, has led to a predominance of images that are neither analytical nor allow you to understand the complex relations between sequences of spaces interrupted by structure. It also might make it difficult, as you are designing, to understand the relationship of one space to another, to light, to use, and to all the other factors that make up the “reality” of a building.

Moses, a New York-based architect and writer who has compiled work from 41 architects in Single-Handedly, makes the point that drawing is also a way that architects can evoke the mood or organization of a building with a quick sketch or reveal relations with a clever composition. The book’s production values could have been a bit higher, and the graphic design should have been better, but the final chapters, where Moses has placed the more speculative images, nevertheless lift it to the realm of being a printed paean to experimental architecture—and to the possibilities of hand drawing.

There is always the danger, of course, that my perspective is itself warped. After my student Edelman's tirade against drawing, I asked Eddie Jones, AIA, who was visiting us at the School of Architecture at Taliesin, to remind us how even the simple act of drawing a plan by hand can evoke particular qualities that disappear in renderings. Laying a piece of “flimsy” or tracing paper over the student’s printed plan, he slid his bar, twirled his pencil, and rotated his triangles around to show how a different line weight or the abstraction of a toilet stall can communicate so much more than a computer drawing. We were suitably in awe. Edelman’s reaction? Two days later he showed up with computer-drawn sectional perspective, its surfaces manipulated to appear as if they were drawn by hand. It was quite good for a first-year student, and gave me hope that, no matter how you draw, the ability to evoke the possibilities of architecture in representation is alive and well.

by Aaron Betsky

Amazon sells out of $105,000 three-bedroom houses

SEPTEMBER 3, 2019

If you were planning on getting the $105,000 three-bedroom home Amazon started selling in recent months, you’re too late. It’s sold out.

“We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock,” the retailer says on the webpage for “Cliff - Premium Prefabricated Modular House.” The manufacturer, Q-haus, located in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, in northern Europe, said there's a backlog of orders.

"The queue is long at the moment," Reino Soots, CEO of Q-haus, told HousingWire. "Of course, it takes time to fulfill the orders."

Cabins and garden houses have been available on Amazon for years, but the Cliff house is among the largest the retailer has offered. In addition to three bedrooms, the home has an open kitchen, dining room, and even a sauna. The assembly takes two days and requires two skilled workers, the company said in the Q&A section of the listing. And, a warning about the architectural style: If you don't like modern architecture, you might not like this house. 

“Cliff is a modular house perfect for accommodation for friends and family members overnight,” the Amazon description says. “It also can successfully be used to accommodate larger groups of people in ski-resorts or rent the units out in Airbnb, or as a private lake-house for romantic weekends. These modular houses are suitable in different climate areas all around the world. The idea of a Cliff is to offer more space with smaller measurements of the building with taking advantage of a smart-home technology for a more eco-friendly approach.”

The cost doesn’t include the land or a foundation, which the buyer has to have ready before assembling the house. And, of course, there are additional costs to consider that are not mentioned in the product descriptions, like utility hookups or, if you live in a cooler climate, insulation. It comes with appliances, utilities and some furnishings. There’s an option for one or two bathrooms, the Amazon description says.

The prefab, modular housing industry is growing, with revenue jumping 8.6% from 2013 to 2018, according to data from IBISWorld, including a 4.1% spike in 2018 alone.

Chris Schapdick, author of The Joy of Tiny House Living, said a lack of housing affordability is giving rise to alternative options, fueling the tiny house movement.

“Whether it's prefab or some other solution, there is a huge appetite for alternatives to traditional housing,” he said.

If you’re kicking yourself for missing out on the Cliff house, just type “prefab house” into Amazon’s search line. You’ll find smaller, and cheaper, alternatives like the Allwood Avalon Cabin Kit for $33,990, or the Timber House for $75,000. Both are in stock.

Kathleen Howley

Smart Contract

The contract of the future could be a block-chain-verified digital document with embedded, executable code

Although block-chain is best known in connection with Bitcoin cryptocurrency, it’s an electronic system that can be applied in many ways. Some commentators use the analogy, “Block-chain is to currency as the Internet is to email,” and it seems likely that some of those block-chain applications are likely to disrupt businesses of all kinds, including remodeling. 

The compelling feature of block-chain is that it decentralizes management of transactions, allowing people and businesses to interact without the need for an intermediary. It’s also uniquely secure because record-keeping is distributed across a large number of anonymous individuals. Every “block” of records in the “chain” is sealed against edits in a way that refers to the previous block, and only blocks that match can be sealed (non-matching blocks are discarded). That means a hacker would have to break the encryption for not just one block but for every previous block in the chain. Thus, a smart contract recorded by a block-chain would be rock solid.

Other than cryptocurrency, examples of practical block-chain applications are long on promise and short on detail, and even so-called nontechnical descriptions are vague and way more math-based than my brief description. 

One example that caught my attention, however, is something called a smart contract, which consists of a digital document containing code that executes automatically when certain specified conditions are met. I haven’t yet found anyone who’s currently using one, but as it happens, I am personally engaged in a transaction where I think a smart contract administrated by a block-chain would be just the ticket.

Sal Alfano

How Long Before 3D Printing Disrupts Construction?

AI SpaceFactory is one of a handful of ambitious startups now pushing forward with 3D printing technology to print buildings using some form of additive material, usually a cement-based mixture. The printers, mounted on robotic arms and gantries, trace the pattern of a building’s walls and squirt out material one thin layer at a time, based on the digital design files driving them, while pausing to create gaps where windows and doors are added later. When one layer is completed around the entire perimeter, the printer starts on the next one.

Claims of printing entire buildings in a day or less abound. Austin, Texas-based ICON, producer of a 33-foot-wide, 3,800-pound printer it calls the Vulcan II, printed a 350-square foot home on-site in 47 nonconsecutive hours for less than $10,000 in materials last year. Another firm, China’s WinSun, has used its factory-housed printer to spit out manufactured sections of buildings to be assembled on-site, including a five-story apartment building, and claims to have printed 10 houses in a single day. At the beginning of 2018, Boston Consulting Group counted fewer than 40 completed 3D-printed structures worldwide, a number that has continued to climb since.

With all the activity that’s happening in the space currently, proponents of 3D printing technology in construction are confident not only that the trend will continue but that its use is already more prevalent than commonly perceived.

by Joe Bousquin

Shifts in Home Design and Material Demand

Designs That Shift Building Material Demand

Rapidly changing new home designs have surprised building product company executives who have not been speaking directly with the home building community. The pronounced home builder shift to fewer rooms and more open space living has reduced finished wall space per sq ft by 8% over the last decade. These design trends also include great rooms and indoor/outdoor spaces with large retractable glass doors.

• The beneficiaries. Several window companies as well as the makers of outdoor remodel products and engineered wood beams have benefited greatly from the shift.

• Damaged industries. Some drywall, paint, and baseboard company executives apparently missed this shift, despite its coverage by the industry media. Our most disappointing anecdote was a meeting we had last year with the head of R&D at one of these firms who couldn’t even name one of the large production architect companies in the industry.

Building product improvements over time have reduced replacement demand, as products are lasting longer than they used to. Roofing is one of the best examples. Roofs now last 7–8 years longer than they did 20 years ago, yet roofing companies and their investors have been modeling replacement demand as if the superior product didn’t matter. There are many more examples of products that will last longer before needing replacement or repair, including flooring, lighting, and composite products.

Todd Tomalak

SERIOUSLY MINIMAL.

The Minus One is a breakthrough in conception, technology and design. An architectural lighting solution with a visible aperture of less than half an inch (10mm), the Minus produces a discrete lighting effect virtually glare free through proprietary lens technology. Powered by a single high-performance LED, the Minus One produces an output of over 1000 lumens from source and requires less than one inch (25mm) of ceiling recess, allowing for great flexibility in new and retrofit construction.

Bathroom’s Most Wanted

Linen closets are the most-desired feature in a master bathroom for home buyers, according to new survey data from the National Association of Home Builders.

Approximately 78 percent of home buyer respondents in the NAHB’s 2019 What Home Buyers Really Want report say that a linen closet in the master bathroom is desirable or an essential feature. Having "both a shower stall and tub in the master bath," and having a double vanity were both home features that at least 70 percent of survey respondents said were desirable or a must-have. These two features each garnered 32 percent "must-have" scores, the highest in the study.

Never Short On Space

Home prices are high, inventories are shallow, and personal savings are rising, which is leading everyone to say 2019 is the year of remodeling. People are choosing to stay in their homes and elevate the space, rather than sell it and buy a new one.

Built-in storage is a reflection of that – today’s designs demand less clutter without sacrificing space. It’s a real challenge, because storage itself takes up room, and so to have one without the other would initially seem paradoxical. Done right, built-in features can bridge the gap between saving space and creating storage.

Pro Remodeler

What Worries a Billionaire Today? Protecting Priceless Art From Flying Champagne Corks on Their Superyachts

A new course teaches crew members how to care for blue-chip art collections on the high seas.

How do you protect your blue-chip art on board a yacht? It’s a problem only the privileged few face, but it’s apparently a growing problem nonetheless.

The British billionaire collector Joe Lewis reportedly keep Francis Bacon’s Triptych (1974-77) aboard his yacht, docked in London, while the deputy prime minister of the UAE, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan, is thought to keep several hundred works of art on his, according to Bloomberg. 

So what do they do when a wayward champagne cork flies or some seawater splashes aboard? That’s where art historian and conservator Pandora Mather-Lees comes in. Mather-Lees told the Guardian that she first set out to help billionaires properly store art on their boats after getting a call from a collector whose prized $110.5 millionJean-Michel Basquiat painting was damaged while on his yacht.

“His kids had thrown their cornflakes at it over breakfast because they thought it was scary,” she told the Guardian. “And the crew had made the damage worse by wiping them off the painting.”

In response, Mather-Lees started offering a specialized course (which costs €295 per day) for yacht crew members. Crews are often well-equipped to deal with an array nautical situations, but not art conservation. In the case of her client, the crew “had no idea [the Basquiat] was worth many millions,” she told the paper. “Now the rich are increasingly bringing their art collections on board their yachts and it’s vital that captains and crew know how to care for these pieces.”

Yachts don’t have to be hostile environments for art, however. “Something people always say to me is ‘why on earth would you carry art on yachts?’” National Maritime Museum conservator Helen Robertson told the Guardian. Modern superyachts are packed with technology and “can be very controllable. Systems for temperature and humidity can surpass those you would find in galleries.”

Henri Neuendorf, February 4, 2019

Florence Knoll Bassett, Pioneer of American Office Design, Dies at 101

American designer Florence Knoll Bassett passed away on January 25, 2018 in Coral Cables, Florida. She was 101.

David E. Bright, spokesman for Knoll Inc., announced her passing. Knoll Bassett and her husband Hans Knoll ran the company for many years together, beginning in the 1940s. She had a large hand in the creative vision of Knoll, started the Knoll Planning Unit, and directed the design of the company’s iconic furniture, textiles, and graphics.

Knoll Bassett studied under Mies van der Rohe at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, and collaborated with Isamu Noguchi and Alexander Girard, among others, during a pivotal time in the development of American Modern design.

“We’re like art dealers,” Knoll Bassett said of discovering new designers for Knoll. “We want fresh, original work. And we want it from anyone who can produce it.”

In 1961, Knoll Bassett became the first woman recipient of the Gold Medal for Industrial Design from AIA. In 2003, she received the highest award for artistic excellence in America, the National Medal of Arts.

By Kristie Garrell