Designed to be built as individual cottages or combined as shown with a porch, these small “casitas” can be used as: 1) Weekend Retreats  2) Rental units  3) Guest Quarters  4) Super-efficient Homes!  Contact us for more information

Our latest design is now available.  For more information, click here

Home Plan Doctor by Larry Garnett has just been published in China!  For more information visit HomePlanDoctor

Here’s a 4 bedroom home for a growing young family at just over 1500 square feet.  The compact design features a functional front porch, along with a garage and carport that double as an outdoor entertainment and living space.  Although ideal for a narrow lot with a garage located towards the rear alley, we created this layout for an existing development where the typical 55’ wide front-load garage product was not successful in the current market.

For more information, or to order this plan, click here.

Here are some photos from the Home which is available for tour daily until October 30th

The “Net-Zero” Home of Tomorrow designed by Larry Garnett is under construction at the State Fair of Texas. Tours will begin September 23

Quite often, we work with building sites where a magnificent tree is located exactly in the location the house needs to be placed.  A builder came to me recently with just such a lot.  He couldn’t find a design that would allow the tree to stay.  After some careful measuring and lots of sketching, I came up with this concept.  The lot actually backs up to a golf course, so the view towards the rear was obviously very important. Also, a 3 -car garage was requested.  Interestingly enough, I we had to obtain a variance from the developer to face the one car garage towards the street.  I’ve always been amused by this very common restriction…they’ll allow a 3 car garage protruding 35 feet towards the street, but won’t allow any doors to be parallel with the street.  Do they really think a 3 car garage with doors facing to the side is not recognizable as a garage?  Let’s just be realistic.  A garage IS a garage.  Sure,  I’d much rather place it along the rear with an alley entrance…or detach it and place it towards the rear of the house with a driveway down the side.  But, when the client has paid a premium for a golf course (or lake) view, we certainly don’t want the  garage to be an obstruction. (see garage placement in my book Home Plan Doctor)

Garages that double as outdoor living spaces can have a dramatic impact on a neighborhood of homes with garages located at a rear alley.  Imagine the added activity along what is often just a narrow passageway for cars!  Weekend cookouts could easily transform the alley into a “people place” and a safe area for the children to play.  For more information, see design 30504

I’m currently working on several designs that could be constructed as modules.  The benefits of building homes in an indoor environment would seem rather obvious; no adverse weather conditions, templates that allow for extremely precise framing, and efficient installation of all mechanical, plumbing, and electrical components.  The greatest hurdle appears to be the preconceived idea that “modular” is the same as a “mobile home.”
My initial designs are focusing on small cottages that could be used as weekend homes.  I’m also working on several concepts that would allow for easy and logical expansion – sort of a home that could “grow” with the family.  More sketches to come…