The Less Is More House – A New Way To The Dream
Given the events of the last several years, the ultimate American Dream, home ownership, has become a faint mirage. Lowered expectations, smaller paychecks, fewer jobs and other shrinking economic indicators combined with rising prices in every sector of the economy have moved the dream of individual home ownership from the top of the life goal list to somewhere near the bottom. This most uniquely American invention of “a place to call your own” has become an unachievable fantasy for many.
The mission of the Less Is More House Book and other Less Is More House Guides is to bring you and your family into a
new reality. You can have your dream house. You can have a special place to
seek refuge from the outside world. You can make your life in a place made by
you. It’s not particularly easy, but then nothing worth having ever is. Throughout
this book, you will be shown a new way of thinking to get the house you envision.
The purpose of this book and the delivery system it outlines is to give you the
ability to utilize the concept of The
Less Is More House in the planning and building of a house that you can
live your life in but not go broke doing it.
The phrase Less Is More was adopted by the modern
master architect Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe to describe a method of design which
has no wasted elements or frivolous decoration. Less Is More embodies simplicity
of thought, plan and construction. The term has come to be synonymous with
works of design and construction that are efficient in their design and frugal
in their use of materials. This concept is at the core of any Less Is More House. It is the
antithesis of the houses that have been built during the last twenty years of
the so called building boom of the nineties and the new millennium. Really big
houses, with excessively wasteful spaces, devoid of real quality and character.
The Less Is More House is not just
another DIY How To approach to home construction. Through the application of
the principles in this book you will be able to build an affordable, simple,
efficient, and aesthetically superior house. It is a way of thinking and putting
into action a process of management of the entire spectrum of activities
performed to create a house of meaning, quality and value.
One word of caution AND
encouragement. We all have different
strengths and weaknesses. Building a house is not for the faint of heart. It
takes vision, determination and infinite patience. It requires a unique set of
skills involving management, communication and leadership. A former professor of
mine once said we must constantly push our edge of ignorance forward. If you do
not know something, learn it. If you can’t do something, figure out how to do
it. The only difference between the “expert” and you is that he/she knows how
to do something you don’t. With the resources in this book, as well as
references you will find from other recommended books and the Internet, you can educate yourself and
become accomplished enough to perform virtually any task required to build a
house. And for those tasks or trades that will require outside help, becoming
as knowledgeable as possible will allow you to make informed decisions on the
selection and management of consultants, subcontractors and vendors.
You must be asking
yourself right about now – Who is this guy and why is he saying all of this?
First, I am an architect, licensed in Florida & Georgia. In addition, I have over
thirty years experience designing, specifying, writing contracts for and
administering the construction of many buildings, including many single family
houses. I had my own architectural practice for over fifteen years. This
afforded me an opportunity to see what actually happens when a design concept
is created, developed and built. In addition, I am a state certified building
contractor in Florida. Throughout my career I have observed virtually every
facet of the design-build process. That process has become extraordinarily
convoluted and expensive, particularly for today’s home owner. Like so many
things in modern life, we are left with the most mediocre thing we can actually
afford. Over the years, I have developed
an obsessive passion for all things involved in residential design and construction.
From initial concept to handing over the keys, I have experienced and studied
every facet of a process that is in need of drastic change to meet the daunting
challenges of today’s residential consumer. That is what this book is about. If
you have more money than good sense then you probably can stop reading now. If
however, you want the American Dream, but don’t want to become indentured
achieving it, then read on.
You are encouraged
to visit our web site, www.lessismorehouse.com, to learn more
about The Less Is More House Concept, read
the latest post on design, construction or other relevant topics and submit
questions and comments about the subject or your own personal experiences. Follow
us via E-mail to stay updated on activities and new developments in the field
of economical residential design and construction. Comments and questions will be personally responded to as quickly
as practicable. We are here to help you achieve the ultimate American Dream. It is my fervent hope that you will
enjoy reading the Less Is More House
Book and, through the application of its principles, achieve the synthesis of
commodity, firmness and delight so eloquently enumerated by the ancient
architect Vitruvius in your very own Less
Is More House.
Doyle Lee Stafford Architect
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