A little project I've been working on lately:

See if you think this is a good idea. It has nothing to do with my fortune cookie from the previous post - it's just a little project I've been working on that has begun to take its first breaths of life:

Modern Utah Design Partners has been formed with the sole purpose of designing and building a mid-priced grouping of modern homes in the Salt Lake County area. Members of the Partnership each bring a specific specialty to the group and will execute within their specialty to fulfill the goals of the project.

Concept
In the Salt Lake Area, if you are a person who is inspired by a modern-contemporary architectural flavor, the only choice for you is to buy/build a home in an area and at a price point that is prohibitive to all but the most affluent. There are a few designers who can be engaged to design homes in this 7-figure price range, and there are also a few “heritage” homes in the Salt Lake area which go up for sale at various times of the year, but they are often run down, neglected and in dire need of expensive care and repair.

Project Goals
The design goals of this project are as follows:

To design a grouping of homes that appeal to the general style of modern/contemporary architecture at a price point that is affordable and in a location that is convenient to young professionals in the Salt Lake metro area.

Inspiration for the designs will be taken generally from the following schools:

Richard Neutra
Frank Lloyd Wright – Modernist school, as opposed to the prairie style
Don Wexler
John Lautner
R.M. Schindler

For the 20 lots, there will be approximately 5-7 different home designs, each with a particular design heritage. Models will carry the name of the historical architect from which the design inspiration comes. The entire group will have common elements and will appear to come from the same family, or general design school of thought. Each design school will be interpreted with a 21^st century flavor and sensitivity. Each will have the ability for custom elements within the general design. Within the individual designs, there will also be elements that tie the group together, and at the same time set the individual homes apart from each other. Among the common features will be:

A direction toward green design – possible solar heating, radiant floor heating, responsible landscaping.

Homes will generally be three bedrooms / two bathrooms, with unfinished basements

Homes will generally be in the 3000 square foot range, not counting unfinished basements

Minimized garage features on the front of the house. No more than two car space, no pad for extra storage, no street parking, well lighted street areas.

A strong use of glass, natural woods, metal, and stucco to convey unity and individualism

Kitchen spaces/elements to be contracted from common supplier, most likely Poliform, providing favorable pricing can be negotiated.

A blending of indoor and outdoor living spaces

A basic outdoor kitchen space with gas tips for grill, etc.

An individually designed small water feature

A patio space, with a built-in/sunken jetted hot tub/soaking tub area, with a buyer option for a larger pool if desired. No slides.

Extensive landscape/exterior home lighting, front and back

Responsible landscaping using native plants and grasses, minimal grass

Responsible irrigation solutions