One major issue with early eco friendly houses has been is the cost – limited run production, built with quality materials will always cost more. Critics have argued that eco friendly houses will remain the preserve of a few wealthy individuals with a social conscience.
But now US company Living Homes has introduced their C6 – “first affordable living home.” It is designed, in partnership with Make It Right, a not for profit organisation founded by Brad Pitt and architect William McDonough to build 150 affordable, sustainable homes in New Orleans’ hurricane hit Lower Ninth Ward. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each C6 will help support the efforts of Make It Right.
The C6 occupies 1232 square feet, and costs a very reasonable $179,000 (that’s $ 145 per square foot). The price includes features normally associated with more expensive developments such as fiber cement cladding and Anderson windows instead of vinyl and vinyl, and cork flooring inside instead of vinyl and carpet.
The C6 is not Living Homes’ first eco friendly house. Their RK6 model, a few years ago, was one of the most affordable eco friendly houses on the market at the time, and the C6 has reduced costs further.
The price doesn’t include land, which will obviously increase the cost of a development dramatically, however the project does demonstrate how eco friendly houses are becoming more affordable.
Images courtesay of Living Homes