LESS House // Urban Environments
Designer(s):
Matt Hettler, Andrew McGee, Lorrie Roche, Rachel Villalta
The LESS House attempts to mitigate some of the perceived shortcomings in prefabricated dwelling space by dealing directly with the idea of one’s footprint in the world, both physical and ecological. The austerity of its parts allows for simple design moments within the LESS House to feel not only luxurious but also customizable without becoming imposing. The modesty of its footprint and stackability with other units allows for the project to occupy unconventional spaces within the existing city, such as alley ways and very small lots; this reduces the necessity for greenfield development and increases the viability of efficiently reinvigorating areas burdened by urban sprawl.
At the same time, LESS House attempts to act as a tool in a larger social system of checks and balances that operates on the public’s perception of its neighbors. A series of subtle mechanisms within the house increase awareness of one's personal “footprint” in the world, empowering users to minimize energy consumption while enjoying a personalized and comfortable dwelling space.
