A Douglas Cutler Modular Home in Connecticut
Douglas Cutler, nationally known architect of luxury modular home plans, has his own plans to release a new book in the fall of 2009. His book will discuss his theories about modular construction’
"There is an age-old analogy in construction circles regarding how building modules are much like the basic, living cells found in nature." says Cutler. " Take the brick for example. A brick is a man-made module of elegant simplicity that has been used by home builders for thousands of years. Although it seems lifeless, assembled piles of bricks stuck together with mortar develop into a protective structures, just as cells labeled “skin” combine to cover and protect our bodies."
"Recently, modular building modules have evolved into larger and more complex cells born to encapsulate smaller functions. In modular design, these modules now incorporate many of our life support systems: heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, water delivery, waste systems, electricity, security, and much more. A building leaves the factory at 85% of its final form but before they go, these modular blocks are mixed and matched into any number of different configurations:
"And, just as tiny organisms have evolved, so have the small brick modules formerly used in the buildings of old. Now, sheets of plywood, glass & metal panels and floor joists (to name just a few) are components that have become pieces of our sophisticated structural environment."
Now the analogy gets really interesting.
"Within the wall of any tiny, organic cell are instructional genes that help it acquire all the molecular compounds necessary for it to grow, and multiply, into a complete, organism. There are even genes whose only purpose is to control the coordinate assembly of cells at certain times. These are called control genes and I, always the architect, like to think of them as little construction managers. It is easy to see why and how Green Modular Building is becoming more and more popular in a time when green is so important."
Cutler has been writing for his popular blog since the middle of 2008. He also sells his modular plans online at http://www.modulararchitecture.com . There has been such a great response to this topic, both from a green perspective and the similarities to nature. I am excited to finish editing my book. It will be published Coldfire Publishing and should be on shelves by the holidays of 2009.
Visit http://www.coldfireinc.com to read more about Douglas Cutler and his views on the future of home building.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
