deconstruction

Yesterday I told you about some cool tiny Texas homes, and today I'm back with an amazing story about one Texas couple's vision to help anyone who wants to own a house to do so, with lots of hands-on work and about $20,000-$50,000. Phoenix Commotion was started in 1996 by Dan and Marsha Phillips, who mortgaged their house to start a business building affordable houses from free, salvaged, and recycled materials. The company caters their homes to the working poor, including single mothers, who need energy-efficient, affordable, comfortable homes. The homes are built with such unexpected materials as wine corks and frame samples, which are used in beautiful and innovative ways.

This program recently partnered with the program Brigid’s Paradigm, and built their first home together in Huntsville, TX. The next project will be a number of homes in Houston's 5th Ward.

To qualify for the project, potential participants must provide $500, good credit, and proof of a stable job. The homes are built by the future owners, along with mentors who help to guide the unskilled workers. A 1-person home will only be built at 240 square feet, which increases energy efficiency, along with the homes' uses of insulation, tank-less hot water heaters, and rain barrels.

To see a video about Dan's work, just read more

I love stories like this. Family moves into huge, inaccessible home. Family can't deal. Family moves to smaller, more central home that is within walking and biking distance to stores and schools.

The Lessner family built a 5,000-square-foot house, and then within nine months sold it and moved into a small, Cape Cod–style house. The house needed major renovation, and they went with an architect who could provide a green design while keeping the house's traditional look. The 13-month renovation began with a six-week deconstruction. The family used many of the original features and donated anything they couldn't use to Habitat for Humanity.

For green details and a gallery of photos, just read more