Bigger may not always be better. This proverb rings true with the emergence and growing popularity of the tiny, modular home. These dwellings are uniquely tailored to the resident and feature sustainable amenities that make daily living processes more efficient and enjoyable, all while taking up minimal space. While some of the concepts surrounding these technologies are still being developed, young companies are leading the charge toward creating contemporary solutions to the global housing crises, without sacrificing affordability and aesthetics.
Kasita, a Texas-based startup, has revolutionized today's housing landscape with the introduction of the 352-square-foot smart home. On a recent episode of The Modern Architect radio show and podcast, Jeff Wilson, Founder and Chairman of Kasita, discussed his revelations about the housing industry and how frustration led to the inception of his modern micro home company.
With the housing crisis worsening, tiny homes have become a favorable alternative. Though some of today’s sought-after design ideals––including open spaces and high ceilings––aren’t possible with these significantly smaller alternatives, smart homes have the capacity to innovate and provide housing in urban and unused spaces.
Kasita’s mission toward building their micro homes began in 2014, when professor and technologist Jeff Wilson had an idea that might be considered shocking (and gross) to some.
Kasita Chairman & Co-Founder Jeff Wilson
Jeff Wilson, often referred to as “Professor Dumpster”, lived in a 33 sq. ft. dumpster for a year to test the limits of habitable space. Through this experiment, Wilson grew fond of living small and dreamed of creating a housing solution which was both beautiful and left a small footprint. Thus Kasita was born.
A smart home by Kasita
What makes Kasita stand out from its competitors is its culture of advanced technology and customizable design. The steel home pictured above contains over 60 units of smart-home devices that integrate a program which allows for intercommunication software to function efficiently. From controlling variations of electricity and water to monitoring carbon dioxide through wireless detectors to amplified surround sound, the smart home encompasses economical and dynamic functionality to make for smart living.
A smart home by Kasita
“I think the bigger picture here is that we are trying to solve a very real problem.”
While these smart homes may seem unconventional and possibly difficult to materialize in urban areas, their size and relatively low cost ($139,000 per unit) makes for a powerful solution to the lack of affordable housing that particularly appeals to younger users who might not be ready for a larger investment, and who desire central location.
In this episode of The Modern Architect, Wilson also discusses Kasita’s plans to develop “stackable communities” in different locations to provide adequate housing to local residents.The prefabricated homes can be assembled offsite and delivered to the respective location in as little as three weeks. In overcrowded cities such as San Francisco and areas of New York, this may be what residents have to look forward to.
Kasita’s stackable communities
Kasita empathizes with issues like gentrification and overly expensive housing, leading the company to work diligently toward finding truly affordable alternatives to the conventional urban apartment. With their ability to scale and sense of innovation, Kasita’s future projects hold a great deal of promise to those looking for an unconventional way of life.
This Modular Tiny Home Is Facing the Housing Crisis Head On
Bigger may not always be better. This proverb rings true with the emergence and growing popularity of the tiny, modular home. These dwellings are uniquely tailored to the resident and feature sustainable amenities that make daily living processes more efficient and enjoyable, all while taking up minimal space. While some of the concepts surrounding these technologies are still being developed, young companies are leading the charge toward creating contemporary solutions to the global housing crises, without sacrificing affordability and aesthetics.
Kasita, a Texas-based startup, has revolutionized today's housing landscape with the introduction of the 352-square-foot smart home. On a recent episode of The Modern Architect radio show and podcast, Jeff Wilson, Founder and Chairman of Kasita, discussed his revelations about the housing industry and how frustration led to the inception of his modern micro home company.
Listen to the interview here.
With the housing crisis worsening, tiny homes have become a favorable alternative. Though some of today’s sought-after design ideals––including open spaces and high ceilings––aren’t possible with these significantly smaller alternatives, smart homes have the capacity to innovate and provide housing in urban and unused spaces.
Kasita’s mission toward building their micro homes began in 2014, when professor and technologist Jeff Wilson had an idea that might be considered shocking (and gross) to some.
Kasita Chairman & Co-Founder Jeff Wilson
Jeff Wilson, often referred to as “Professor Dumpster”, lived in a 33 sq. ft. dumpster for a year to test the limits of habitable space. Through this experiment, Wilson grew fond of living small and dreamed of creating a housing solution which was both beautiful and left a small footprint. Thus Kasita was born.
A smart home by Kasita
What makes Kasita stand out from its competitors is its culture of advanced technology and customizable design. The steel home pictured above contains over 60 units of smart-home devices that integrate a program which allows for intercommunication software to function efficiently. From controlling variations of electricity and water to monitoring carbon dioxide through wireless detectors to amplified surround sound, the smart home encompasses economical and dynamic functionality to make for smart living.
A smart home by Kasita
“I think the bigger picture here is that we are trying to solve a very real problem.”
While these smart homes may seem unconventional and possibly difficult to materialize in urban areas, their size and relatively low cost ($139,000 per unit) makes for a powerful solution to the lack of affordable housing that particularly appeals to younger users who might not be ready for a larger investment, and who desire central location.
In this episode of The Modern Architect, Wilson also discusses Kasita’s plans to develop “stackable communities” in different locations to provide adequate housing to local residents.The prefabricated homes can be assembled offsite and delivered to the respective location in as little as three weeks. In overcrowded cities such as San Francisco and areas of New York, this may be what residents have to look forward to.
Kasita’s stackable communities
Kasita empathizes with issues like gentrification and overly expensive housing, leading the company to work diligently toward finding truly affordable alternatives to the conventional urban apartment. With their ability to scale and sense of innovation, Kasita’s future projects hold a great deal of promise to those looking for an unconventional way of life.
Listen to the interview here.
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