Self-Build on a Shoestring Winner Announced

by Andrew Hobbs
26th October 2016

This year, the National Custom and Self Build Association’s (NaCSBA) annual competition challenged architects, designers and others to come up with pioneering ways of building a low cost starter home – with a maximum budget of £50,000. Entries came in from all over the UK, as well as Australia, Mexico, Vietnam and Ireland.

The winning team, announced at Grand Designs Live, was made of up Bristol-based Ecomotive and planning consultancy Barton Willmore. They scooped the £5,000 prize with their entry, ‘Modulhus’, which consists of a standard module that can be adapted to suit the customer – including both traditional and contemporary styles.

The modules, built with low-impact materials, can also be arranged as terraces or a low-rise block of flats, as well as individual dwellings.

The structural units are prefabricated in a factory, where future occupants can choose the number, size and arrangement of modules for the size of home they need. The factory self-finish option combines construction skills, training and support to enable residents to complete the units within the factory itself.

 

modulhus customisation options

 

Alternatively, part-finished modules can be delivered to site and completed by the new owners. The team’s standard 66m2 two bedroom ‘self-finish’ home would cost just £49,644.

Alex Dutton, design associate at Barton Willmore said: “The key aim of our design is to make it easier for people to benefit from a self build home. It gives people the opportunity to be involved in the design and build and gain skills in construction. It’s low-energy, totally flexible but most importantly it offers an affordable and achievable solution to home ownership with a cost for the smallest home of under £50k.”

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