The Less Is More House – A New Way to the Dream
The mission of a Less Is More House 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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