Bi(h)OME
https://urbannext.net/bihome/

Bi(h)OME

Posted on September 7, 2016 by urbanNext

Categories: , , , , , ,

The Backyard BI(h)OME is an ultra-modern, lightweight accessory dwelling unit that has the potential to meet Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti's call for 100,000 new housing units by 2021.

Nico-Marques-Photekt_1

The BI(h)OME demonstrates – in its design, fabrication, occupation, and recycling – what sustainability means at a personal level. The BI(h)OME was initiated by UCLA’s CityLAB and designed by Kevin Daly Architects.

The low-cost, low-impact BI(H)OME could serve as housing for an elderly parent, a returning college graduate, or as a rental unit. It is easy to install, requiring no sewer hookup and just a hose for water supply, and easy to remove. It is almost entirely recyclable. Rather than requiring a mortgage, it could be leased, like a car, so it is semi-permanent, can flexibly serve the needs of homeowners for as long as they want, and then be recycled or reinstalled.

Nico-Marques-Photekt_2

The environmental impact of the structure over its entire life cycle is between 10 and 100 times less than a conventional auxiliary dwelling. Each 500-square-foot backyard home contains a bedroom, living room, kitchen/dining room, and bathroom. The floor is mounted on a temporary low rock wall and posts that are screwed into the ground, so it does not require a foundation.

4d722f69742fca6251fb07069777b192

Plan

The structure is covered with an innovative translucent skin consisting of two layers of ETFE, a tough Teflon plastic, vacuum-sealed around a paper honeycomb, creating a remarkably solid yet light structure. Modular units contain the bathroom, shower, a closet, kitchen sink and counter.

89fcdf5c6711cb3de74e0546501e2040

Structural Components

The structure can be configured in different ways to fit any backyard and to catch the sun on photovoltaic cells that can be printed on the outside layer of the BI(H)OME's skin, while LED lights can be built into the inner layer.

925a249be911da7a008e4083b03c6d96

Detail

c149340b1dca9fab2b41d52df0045b16

Diagrams

Nico-Marques-Photekt_3Nico-Marques-Photekt_4

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Design: Kevin Daly Architects.

Client: UCLA City Lab.

Location: Los Angeles, CA, United States.

Area: 450 sf.

Photographs: Nico Marques / Photekt.

Bi(h)OME

The Backyard BI(h)OME is an ultra-modern, lightweight accessory dwelling unit that has the potential to meet Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s call for 100,000 new housing units by 2021.

Nico-Marques-Photekt_1

The BI(h)OME demonstrates – in its design, fabrication, occupation, and recycling – what sustainability means at a personal level. The BI(h)OME was initiated by UCLA’s CityLAB and designed by Kevin Daly Architects.

The low-cost, low-impact BI(H)OME could serve as housing for an elderly parent, a returning college graduate, or as a rental unit. It is easy to install, requiring no sewer hookup and just a hose for water supply, and easy to remove. It is almost entirely recyclable. Rather than requiring a mortgage, it could be leased, like a car, so it is semi-permanent, can flexibly serve the needs of homeowners for as long as they want, and then be recycled or reinstalled.

Nico-Marques-Photekt_2

The environmental impact of the structure over its entire life cycle is between 10 and 100 times less than a conventional auxiliary dwelling. Each 500-square-foot backyard home contains a bedroom, living room, kitchen/dining room, and bathroom. The floor is mounted on a temporary low rock wall and posts that are screwed into the ground, so it does not require a foundation.

4d722f69742fca6251fb07069777b192

Plan

The structure is covered with an innovative translucent skin consisting of two layers of ETFE, a tough Teflon plastic, vacuum-sealed around a paper honeycomb, creating a remarkably solid yet light structure. Modular units contain the bathroom, shower, a closet, kitchen sink and counter.

89fcdf5c6711cb3de74e0546501e2040

Structural Components

The structure can be configured in different ways to fit any backyard and to catch the sun on photovoltaic cells that can be printed on the outside layer of the BI(H)OME’s skin, while LED lights can be built into the inner layer.

925a249be911da7a008e4083b03c6d96

Detail

c149340b1dca9fab2b41d52df0045b16

Diagrams

Nico-Marques-Photekt_3Nico-Marques-Photekt_4

Architizer featured project.


Design: Kevin Daly Architects.

Client: UCLA City Lab.

Location: Los Angeles, CA, United States.

Area: 450 sf.

Photographs: Nico Marques / Photekt.

urbanNext (March 28, 2024) Bi(h)OME. Retrieved from https://urbannext.net/bihome/.
Bi(h)OME.” urbanNext – March 28, 2024, https://urbannext.net/bihome/
urbanNext September 7, 2016 Bi(h)OME., viewed March 28, 2024,<https://urbannext.net/bihome/>
urbanNext – Bi(h)OME. [Internet]. [Accessed March 28, 2024]. Available from: https://urbannext.net/bihome/
Bi(h)OME.” urbanNext – Accessed March 28, 2024. https://urbannext.net/bihome/
Bi(h)OME.” urbanNext [Online]. Available: https://urbannext.net/bihome/. [Accessed: March 28, 2024]

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