A prototype must be repeatable.  A single architectural design cannot meet the needs of every site, function and budget, therefore a prototype must be adaptable. Architecture must also be responsible and beautiful... We believe the Powder Mountain Prototype has the opportunity to become a catalyst for repeatable, adaptable, responsible, and beautiful architecture for all of us. From seeing the immense effort and embodied energy in getting a Habitat house designed/approved/built for a custom site to recognizing the need for post-disaster rebuilding of entire towns here in the U.S. and around the globe, there has to be a better way. As we explored this process for this competition, the opportunity for Powder Mountain, with it's many homesites, could be the next step, from our starting point... a room.

As architects we use rooms to compose places. When you reduce the size of a prefabricated module to a room, all rooms being the same size and structure, the possibilities and places are endless. Combine the modules based on site analysis and functional need, then apply flat pack, high efficiency envelope panels on site, clad with a multitude of material options suited for climate and budget. The interior of the modules could be built out to meet any budget from Poliform to IKEA... rethinking modular to provide homes for all of us. [ modul-US ]