Land+Living: Porch House

Porch House
Category: Architecture
Posted by: Anthony on 8/19/2004 12:55:00 AM | Digg | Stumble It! | del.icio.us
The home that leads a double life.

Greg La Vardera is an architect who designs stock plans for modern homes. Stock plans have a bad rap as being uninspiring and - gasp! - occasionally designed by someone void of proper architecture credentials. However, with a solid understanding of modern design and its application in residential architecture, he has put together several plans that definitely take the bland and boring out of stock plans.

Recently, Greg completed the plans for his latest project, the Porch House.

"The Porch House leads a double life. During the winter it is a cozy two bedroom cabin. During the summer it is a weekend retreat able to accommodate many friends and guests. The entire ground floor of the cabin is designed as one big screened in porch, with sleeping areas and a summer kitchen which allows you to move your life outside for the summer months, hence the name Porch House. So despite the size of the house, during the summer months the number of people that can be accommodated can be quite large. These summer living spaces are made to drink in the scenery and make life at this retreat as different as possible from your daily life back home. Think of it as a machine for unwinding!"

We're not sure what Greg has in store for the future, but we'd like to see some of his designs come with a "prefab" option, boxed up and ready for delivery. Nice work, Greg!

Architect: Greg La Vardera
Link: Porch House
Related: Deck House (MocoLoco)

Sears homes
Posted by Ron T Brown on 10/1/2004 9:15:00 PM

The idea of a "kit" is really intriguing, like the Sears Packaged Homes of the 20's & 30's. Perhaps with local sources to lower the cost of freight. I am really taken with this particular plan.

Structural Integrity
Posted by Michele Allison on 10/14/2004 6:19:00 AM

Would the construction stand up to heavy winds and ice. Living the NC we sometimes experience extremes in weather. Also, does the foundation have to be slab?

structural question
Posted by Greg La Vardera on 10/14/2004 9:55:00 AM

The overhang structure is deceptively strong. See built prototype on our office here: http://www.lamidesign.com/images/workimages/9977/9977_01.JPG

This has been in place for 5 years through winters, wind storms, and all kinds of weather. It has not budged. Never the less if you are in a coastal area the structure should be reviewed.

Regarding the foundation, this particular design indicates a pier foundation with a deck and porch over it.

plans
Posted by Tom Chang on 11/2/2004 8:15:00 AM

Are your plans in conformance with building codes in Seattle, Washington? If so, has anyone built one of your plans here in WA?

Thank you!

plans in WA
Posted by Greg La Vardera on 11/7/2004 10:59:00 AM

I am was working to the CABO residential code, and now to the International Residential Code - following the adopted codes in my region. Without going off to check the WA state web site I can't say off the top of my head which model code is adopted in WA, but I suspect it is the IRC or the UBC. The codes are very similar and I suspect my designs will be fine, but as always you should confirm issues of snow loading, wind, and seismic loading as they pertain to your local or the particulars of your site. This is the case with any catalog house plan.

Can I build a house like these in East Texas?
Posted by Shirely Ross on 11/25/2004 6:37:00 PM

I really like these house plans. I'm buying some land next spring and I want to know if I can buy a set of these house plans. I don't know if I can get a building permit for plans like these but I love them. They fit my family's personalities to a tee.

plans in TX
Posted by Greg La Vardera on 11/29/2004 12:05:00 PM

Shirely, I think you can get a permit with my plans in Texas, but its always best to speak to your local building department and see if they have any issues with catalog plans. Other than that its just a matter of being diligent about your project. If you are in a coastal area you will want to have the plans checked locally for criteria related to wind forces, if the soils are know to have poor bearing capacity where you build you need to have the foundation design checked. Related to that - some of my designs are documented with basements. I understand that basements are rare in Texas so you may want a slab or a crawl space instead.

I love your cube house
Posted by Mike Rovensky on 1/11/2005 6:26:00 PM

Im jealous of those little cartoon people. :(

cartoon people have the life!
Posted by Greg La Vardera on 1/17/2005 7:28:00 AM

I just finished the construction drawings for the 0380 Cube House, so its ready to go.

Refreshing Designs, Most Impressive
Posted by Wes on 2/2/2005 9:53:00 PM

I've haven't seen many others try to bridge the gap between the worlds of high design and real-life building needs; my compliments. The inclusion of an Airstream trailer in the Cube House sketches proves you have a keen sense of style combined with an appreciation of actual humans. Bravo.

much thanks
Posted by Greg La Vardera on 2/3/2005 8:24:00 PM

and Wes, you are a keen observer. I wish I had more time to prop out the models thoughtfully, but I try to have fun with it when I do it.

Nice but I would like more space.
Posted by Robert Crockett on 2/24/2005 12:00:00 PM

Like that someone has truly modern design with stock plans. I am looking for one level or at least bedrooms on the groud floor.

more designs on the way
Posted by Greg La Vardera on 2/25/2005 10:32:00 AM

Robert - look at all the plans on the web site. There are several that are under development with ground level bedrooms. If you would like more info on any of them you an email me and I'll fill you in.

yeah! it's Greg!
Posted by bjb on 4/4/2005 5:02:00 PM

so glad you paid tribute to Greg here. he's great. my husband has talked to him, and he's super nice and informative. I highly recommend if any of you readers are contemplating. we'd use him if he was in the NW.

love some of the newly finished designs, Greg. they're really nice. you actually include laundry rooms. I know that seems silly, but so many modern floor plans leave them out or assume you just need a closet for a mini-stack. I'm so excited about the Tray house!

thanks for the praise
Posted by Greg La Vardera on 4/11/2005 7:34:00 AM

Sometimes I feel like I'm not making enough accomodation for things like laundry and other real-life issues. In my life we are busy - laundry stacks up. I don't know how you can live with a laundry closet in the hall. I know some people are super organized - more power to you if you are.

Look-a-like
Posted by Nancy Andrews on 4/26/2005 12:42:00 PM

Your home plans (long thin ones)resemble the Dwell house, that costs about $300,000.00 to build, according to the web site. They stole your idea of the storage area along one side of the house. Why do these trailer home look-a-likes cost so much. Open floor plans mean less walls, which should mean less money to build. Square should mean less money to build. Have I got it wrong, or is the more simple the house plan, the more expensive the plan. I do not mean to be ugly, I am just on a budget.

on a closer look
Posted by Greg La Vardera on 4/28/2005 8:54:00 AM

My house plans may share a modern spirit with the Dwell House but a closer examination shows they are quite different. They are working to dimensions common in the modular housing industry because they are built off site - 15-16ft wide at the most. My designs that are long and thin, the 0242 Plat House and the 0357 Steel Case House are both 18ft wide - impossible for modular construction. That extra 2ft creates a world of possibilities for how you can organize a plan.

The cost is another issue. They are making a very nice house, with nice materials and products incorporated. The modular home industry for the most part is building with vinyl siding, asphalt shingles, wall to wall carpet and vinyl windows. A modern modular won't match the prices in the modular home industry unless it adopts the same palette of materials. Those cheap modular houses are just as spare as a minimalist modern house. If you want to make a comparison to an ornate traditional house then you will see a cost advantage on the basis of simplicity, but that kind of traditional house will not be inexpensive. And neither will a modern house of nice materials. This is really such a big issue, to big to discuss here. If you want to read more about it look at www.livemodern.com and www.fabprefab.com It has been discussed before.

And btw they did not steal the idea of a storage wall from me, nor can I take credit for inventing this! Its something that you see in many architect designed houses.

forgot to mention
Posted by Greg La Vardera on 4/28/2005 8:57:00 AM

Nancy, my stock plans are designed to empower you to taylor your materials and finishes to your budget and taste. These house can be built with very nice and expensive materials, or the usual chum that you can get at any home depot.

More Plans Coming
Posted by JW on 5/1/2005 1:20:00 PM

The same plans have been posted for some time, when can we see more? Why is the 60/40 plan hard to reach from your site? Is it because it's prefab?

Busy with 6040 & not linked yet..
Posted by Greg La Vardera on 5/1/2005 6:56:00 PM

Yes, you hit the nail on the head. I've been busy with the launch of the 6040 House projects and I've been letting the new stock plans coast in the meantime. I've put some time into developing some variations on the 0357 Steel Case House that use different materials, and I will post them when its all complete. I've also been sketching a new design for a narrow lot house that is 24ft wide. And the Pump House is on the boards, just not moving very fast. I've also committed to developing a viable ISO shipping container based house and I hope to put time into that this summer.

I need to link my site to the 6040 House site, yes, I've just been too busy to do it. In the long run I am not sure how to integrate the prefab house products into my stock plan site, since they ultimately have their own web site. I'm open to suggestions. Let me know what works for you.

And I call myself a modernist . . .
Posted by Sue Anne Lau on 5/6/2005 1:29:00 PM

Greg, I can't believe you have the time to accomplish so much and still respond so graciously and intelligently to so many comments--I've been lurking on livemodern for half a year now, keeping quiet, and I don't know how you do it all. But to my point--I dream of building a modern house in a several years (for me, my husband, and now 18 mnth old daughter)and find your stock plans interesting, as well as the 6040 house (particularly that smaller version you may be developing in the future). I have one issue with the usual modern "living space," however--the exposed and visible kitchen. An elevated seating bar doesn't do enough to hide the flotsam and jetsam of cooking. How about a screen/bookshelf, designed by the architect to fit into and enhance the flow of the living/kitchen area? You understand the challenges of the laundry room--thought you might have some good ideas for mitigating the kitchen chaos factor.

modernists have messy kitchens too
Posted by Greg La Vardera on 5/12/2005 8:40:00 PM

Sue, thank you for your very kind comments. I understand your concern about the open kitchen. We have busy lives and our kitchen stacks up with the usual daily debris, which in our house we can leave behind a closed door. There is something to be said for that. My first plan was the Pretender 4 which has a discrete kitchen, but I felt pressure to incorporate open kitchen space into the following designs as this is what I see everywhere, including houses of the McMansion variety. If you come to the point of ordering a plan I can modify this aspect to you liking.

Very Excited about new housing options!
Posted by Laura Smith on 6/10/2005 7:24:00 PM

my husband and i have been researching modular options for our lakeside property in south georgia. i admit that i am overwhelmed by all that is out there- but i am truly enamored by your porch house. because of our semi tropic climate- the CHRC in Atlanta suggested that houses constructed of SIP's for the exterior walls, concrete floors and stairs, and polycarbonate panels for windows in order to minimize construction costs and maximize longevity of the structure. Could these elements be used to build the porch house? Also, could portions of the downstairs be easily enclosed with glass so that HVAC could be used down there?

Your designs - Porch House
Posted by Mariah Nasir on 6/11/2005 6:23:00 AM

I live in Northern Australia, a high cyclone risk area but I am interested in this plan on my rural block. How can I view this plan, and others, in more detail and can you comment on suitability for our cyclone area (for strength and wind factor etc).

thanks for your interest
Posted by Greg La Vardera on 6/13/2005 10:12:00 AM

Laura, the construction elements you mention can be used in these houses. SIPs, concrete slab floors, poly carb panels are all things you can use to complete the houses. The lower level of the Porch House could be made into conditioned space if that is the way you see yourself using it. All glass would be a challenge for any cooling system, but exterior roll up shutters could allow you to control the sun before the heat entered the house. Also cellular poly carb panels like PolyGal allow light with better insulation values than glass. It also creates an obscuring panel rather than a completely transparent window wall. Things to consider.

Mariah - You would need to have the design reviewed by a local architect and structural engineer. All of the construction products indicated are US standards and you will need to determine the proper AU stand-ins. An engineer will need to determine what reinforcements need to be made for your local wind conditions.

SHIPPING CONTAINER HOME?
Posted by jERRY BLOUNT on 7/3/2005 8:37:00 PM

Hi
I am looking for a set of plans to convert shipping containers into homes? Any suggestions?
Jerry

Jerry@eldorable.kscoxmail.com

Not containers, but IBUs
Posted by Greg La Vardera on 7/13/2005 8:50:00 PM

I am working on designs for container based housing right now, but these will not be sold as plan sets, but as actual modified containers.

Read my outlook on the state of the use of containers for housing here:

http://www.livemodern.com/Members/lavardera/lamidesigndevblog/HGM-IBUintro

???
Posted by james black on 7/14/2005 6:48:00 PM

how much will you sell the plans with the enginering to stack two 40 foot contaners on top of each other, in oregon,,

???
Posted by james black on 7/14/2005 6:52:00 PM

my email address is dillforce@hotmail.com if there is any one with some info,, i need some plans to take down to the county to get to work,,

no container plans, only the modified modules
Posted by Greg La Vardera on 7/19/2005 3:55:00 PM

I'm sorry - as I said above we won't be selling plans for IBU based houses. We will be selling the actual modules and documentation required for permitting will be included.

narrow lot plans
Posted by alex on 7/27/2005 7:20:00 PM

Do you currently have any narrow-lot (house needs to be 15ft wide)plans available?

no narrow lot plans
Posted by Greg La Vardera on 8/4/2005 7:10:00 PM

Sorry Alex - I don't have any narrow lot designs complete. Have you looked at the narrow lot house design competition they held in Portland? There are dozens of great ideas there and willing architects to go along with them. This competition sort of flooded the market for narrow lot designs, so I've been standing off them.

Earthqauke country
Posted by Patricia jacobs on 8/25/2005 4:43:00 PM

I am wondering how your design would work in southern california where earthquakes are common. I agree with others that a 2 story plan should ahve a bedroom downstairs. Some of us are getting older but still love modern...

no problem
Posted by Greg La Vardera on 8/25/2005 8:14:00 PM

Patricia, If you are buying plans in California you should have them reviewed by a local engineer for seismic issues - this is a sensible thing to do with any catalog house plan. The houses will be fine in California but I am sure that an engineer will provide details for some specific measures: foundation reinforcement, connections of the framed walls to the foundation, and he will probably identify and provide details for several shear walls among the partitions.

If you like one of the houses but wish it had a ground level bedroom we can make a modified version for you. Contact us with the specifics.

Need Design help
Posted by Shrijit Bhowmik on 10/21/2005 12:16:00 AM

I am intrested in building single or double stories living 1/2 BR houses in India for the local market, please tell me what designs you have and what does it cost to have the design layout.
shrijitb_2001@yahoo.com

all info is on our site
Posted by Greg La Vardera on 10/27/2005 3:42:00 PM

Shrijit, all the info you need to know is on our web site www.lamidesign.com/plans In short a set of construction prints is 1500$us and you can purchase online using paypal. Shipping to India will be additional so you should contact me with an address so I can determine the shipping amount. Remember you will have to be responsible for adapting these designs to local building practices.

The Pretender 3
Posted by Steve on 10/30/2005 4:45:00 PM

Looking at the plans on your website. Very interested in the concept behind your Stealth designs. The picture for The Pretender 3 plan looks very close to what I have in mind for a design. Any word on when that (or something similar) will be available.

Pretender 3
Posted by Greg La Vardera on 11/6/2005 5:02:00 PM

I have no set schedule for releasing designs - I develop them as time allows. The only thing that can speed that up, I am afraid, is money! Email me directly and I can point you towards more info on the Pretender 3. plans~at~lamidesign.com I'm sure you can figure out how to make a working address out of that.

shippingcontainer modules
Posted by roncrews on 11/14/2005 10:38:00 AM

I would be interested in more info and pricing when this is available. Any idea on a timeframe?? Georgia area

could you clarify
Posted by Greg La Vardera on 11/14/2005 6:51:00 PM

what you are referring to? The Stock Plans are available now, however I can not tell you the cost as you have to determine that with you local builder. If you are talking about homes built with shipping containers, at this point everything is in a design stage. If you want to discuss them in more depth then email me plans~at~lamidesign.com it does not make sense to have a dialog in this comment space.

Details, Details, Details
Posted by David Cheney on 12/7/2005 9:06:00 AM

Greg, I'm an architect and have thought about the idea of a shipping container addition on my 1930's bungalow for almost a year, but I'm having some difficulty finding how the boxes are detailed. i realize this is proprietary information, but how are issues like roof insulation/drainage and other systems handled. drc@coredc.com

contact me
Posted by Greg La Vardera on 12/7/2005 7:37:00 PM

David - contact me and I tell you more about what we are doing. Email me via my site and I'll send you a phone number.

any real photos?
Posted by anne on 12/13/2005 8:20:00 PM

Do you have any photographs of any of these houses? All I have seen are drawings. I would like to see a photograph of one that was built. Thank You for any info.

see real photos on the web site
Posted by Greg La Vardera on 12/17/2005 3:45:00 PM

Yes, there are real photos on the web site. Two customers have been so kind as to share their experiences and sent back photos of their construction process. We have posted them on our site. See these two pages:

http://www.lamidesign.com/plans/planscat/0242/0242pg_1.html

http://www.lamidesign.com/plans/planscat/0385/0385pg_1.html

The Pretender
Posted by Ryan Thompson on 2/4/2006 8:34:00 AM

Have you completed a smaller design of the Pretender? My wife and I are very interested in this design but I think we are looking for something in the 2000 sf range. We live in Ohio and would require a basement as well. Right now we are hunting for a build lot. We love the stealth design as most homes in our area are what I consider traditional / boring.
Thanks