The House Project
The National House Project and its partners provide expertise to local authorities and provide support to young adults leaving care. This includes a focus on relationship based practice, which supports young people as they develop the skills they need to live independently. These skills include a range of problem solving and social skills.
A project based learning activity called Build A Tiny House helps students integrate design and collaboration into a small house. Students must learn to read math concepts and understand the purpose of various building elements in order to complete their project. After completing this project, students have the opportunity to design a miniature version of the tiny house using their own ideas. Once the home has been designed, students will decorate it and take measurements of its interior and exterior.
This season’s project house is in Silver Lake, California. It is located in a quieter, eastern cousin of the city. It is situated on a 1400 sq. m site.
The house will accommodate four members of a family. The home was built in 1889 to house the local shipbuilders. The house is in good shape, but the structure is in need of restoration. Laura Deluca, the director of the project, has been working with the family for three years.
Another project involves remodeling a classic New England-style home in Newburyport, MA. This 1,400 square foot home was built in the late 1800s. However, the house needs a new roof and structural repairs. Using post and beam construction, the crew is renovating the home and adding 2,400 square feet of living space.
In addition, the home features an eight-star energy rating. Ichijo Homes uses climate control technology from Japan.
The project is supported by the Green House Project, which has developed 359 Green House homes across 32 states. The project develops these homes in partnership with developers, eldercare providers and advocates. Most of the homes are licensed skilled nursing facilities, but some are dementia care settings.
Finally, there is the HOME House Project, which has challenged designers to envision more environmentally friendly housing. Originally launched in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the program challenges architects to imagine a world with sustainable, affordable and accessible housing.
There are other project houses in development throughout the country. For example, Transom Real Estate is proposing a 115-unit housing development in Boston’s Fenway neighborhood. And Harbor Run Development is planning a 115-unit housing development in the same neighborhood.
Many of the project homes feature contemporary design elements. Often, they include high ceilings and minimalist bathrooms. Some also use European appliances. Still others are based on traditional formats for formal living and dining rooms.
While the concept of a project home is not entirely driven by architecture, most of the designs incorporate a large indoor-outdoor space on the back or side of the home. Additionally, the design process often includes the creation of a separate living area for a more intimate living experience.
The National House Project is also supporting local communities to establish Local House Projects, which will provide young adults with a range of skills and support to prepare them for independent living. In addition, the National House Project provides peer-to-peer support for young adults as they leave care.
