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DESIGNHabitat is an on-going partnership between Auburn University's School of Architecture and the Alabama Association of Habitat Affiliates (AAHA) focused on developing innovative design strategies for Habitat homes grounded in an understanding of the culture and climate of Alabama.
With Palm Harbor Homes as a building partner, the project explores alternative approaches to the design and construction of Habitat homes to include factory-based, modular construction technologies. The program also seeks to broaden the dialogue within Habitat regarding energy performance and resource conservation.
The project commenced in the fall of 2005 as students were instructed to design an 1100 square foot, 3 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom home using modular construction techniques. A team of industry professionals selected one design for the build phase of the project. In the spring semester of 2006, the students built the selected home to be sold to an area family through Habitat for Humanity.
The selected design pairs two factory built modules set parallel to one another and joined by a single site-constructed space. The 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom design makes excellent use of its 1040 square feet of living space. The site built center section creates an open plan with cross ventilation from the west to the east, reducing energy costs for the homeowner.
Palm Harbor's ability to deliver a nearly finished home is very attractive in rural environments where Habitat's volunteer pool is small. Manufactured homes are built to 80% completion in a protected building center by professional homebuilders. As a result, manufactured housing increases the quality of Habitat's finished product. Volunteers help in the set up and finishing of the home at the home site. Using manufactured housing also allows Habitat to build more homes in less time.
Palm Harbor Homes also partnered with Habitat for Humanity for their HomeBuilder's Blitz.2006 project.