Would any Chicago burbs let you put up these contemporary prefab houses? (Park City: taxes, housing market)

[sgresident]

I would doubt that anything like this would pass in the chicago-land area. There are far too many codes/zoning laws that need to be met. The midwest is not known for being progressive in regards to zoning requirements. try california for progressive, or for areas without a lot of zoning regulations like arkansas.

[nana053]

Originally Posted by JustJulia

The brown and red ones (1st and 3rd) are pretty repellent, but the second one is all right. It looks like the Smart Home at the Museum of Science & Industry. That was a pretty neat house. I'd live in one like that.

Museum of Science and Industry | What's Here | Exhibits | Smart Home: Green + Wired

It just wouldn't fit in a suburb setting.

Evanston has 2 or 3 houses that look similar to that house. Probably not prefab. I found a pic of one on google images

1610 Dempster St, Evanston - Google Search

I can't find a picture of the one near my old house, but there was one close to me when I lived in Evanston.

[trailerguy]

Modular homes are designed to be compliant with state building codes based on the Uniform Building Code. Big cities with non-standard building codes and powerful trade unions (like Chicago) generally do not allow them. Suburbs and rural communities using the UBC are generally much more open. You will need to contact a building contractor working in your area who will work with modulars. They know how to work with the inspectors and codes. The Japanese house may not be available in the US. Check with the manufacturer to see if they have dealers in this state.

[dacas1]

Many suburbs require homes that look like homes and are made out of things like brick and siding. My suburb requires all new homes have brick on the entire front as well as the whole first floor on the sides and back. Stacked metal boxes would not cut it in most 'burbs.

[chicagojlo]

I always wanted a Huf Haus HUF HAUS :: Home

I saw a show on British TV documenting the building of one. It was quite amazing.

[kettlepot]

These modular homes would be absolutely repellent in a traditional neighborhood, and would destroy the property values of those around them. However, in a non-traditional neighborhood where every house was unusual and modern they might make sense.

[jamaicabound60565]

Originally Posted by kettlepot

These modular homes would be absolutely repellent in a traditional neighborhood, and would destroy the property values of those around them. However, in a non-traditional neighborhood where every house was unusual and modern they might make sense.

I agree with your point about how it couldn't go in some cookie cutte neighbordhood in Naperville for example. Many of these types of neighborhoods every other house has the same exact layout inside.

I dont necessarily think it would have be some modern neighborhood. Even in just na older neighborhood where every house was different and had some character it woudlnt stick out as much but obviously couldn't go in some cookie cutter subdivions where every house looks exactly the same.

[gardener34]

"it is illegal for an architect to stamp plans not prepared under his or her direct supervision"... yeah I know
We had our county ask for the plans, they had to look at the plans of course before they would approve anything. And if you go with something radical, you may have to "go back to the drawing board" completely rather than just making a few changes to your plans. Which if you have priced architectural drawings, you know it can be expensive.
And then we had to make a revision to the trusses and the architect had to make that change, we had to re-submit and he had to stamp it once again. (if I remember correctly)

[Midwestbuilder]

To answer your questions about prefabs in Chicago, check this out....

[url=http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2010/11/09/photos-a-prefab-home-descends-on-ohio-street-in-west-town.php]Photos: A Prefab Home Descends on Ohio Street in West Town : Green Architecture : Curbed Chicago[/url]

Also check out this website:

[url=http://www.indianabuildingsystems.com/]Modular Homes by Indiana Building Systems : Single and Multi-Family Modular Home Manufacturer Serving the Midwest United States[/url]

Hard to believe all of these homes are built in a factory. These homes would fit in anywhere.

[thePR]

What about Park City?