Phoenix 1010
Exterior rendering of the cottage with upstairs caretaker apartment
Exterior rendering of caretaker deck and entry
View from bed
Exterior rendering of the cottage with upstairs caretaker apartment
The Phoenix 1010 is designed with the built-in flexibility of two living units with the downstairs ready-made for aging in place. Local zoning may or may not allow a second full kitchen upstairs, but that's less of an issue if the unit is to be rented air BnB style or if it is occupied only part time. Countertop appliances, a modest sink, and an apartment fridge can still provide most of the usability of a full kitchen with minimal upfront expense.
About the plan
Compact living can be compatible with a handicap accessible home! This house was conceived as a stand-alone cottage for a single or a couple with an upstairs caretaker apartment having a separate outdoor entrance. Downstairs, we've made sure that 100% of the space is functional for someone in a wheelchair, especially the kitchen. Upstairs is an efficiency apartment with a full bath, kitchenette with a fridge and small appliances. One idea is to rent out the apartment to create cash flow (perhaps to an adult child) while the downstairs owners are able to care for themselves. If/when necessary, the apartment can be repurposed as a caretaker apartment that is occupied part time or full time, based on the specific care needs of the owner. Our design is detailed enough to allow any reputable contractor to successfully bring this home to fruition without having to hire specialized (and sometimes pricey) consultants.
Big Picture Information
Study Plans
If you’ve found the flyer compelling, the next step is to get serious about building the house. Our Study Plans consist of detailed drawings that let you discuss your project with a builder and begin to work up semi-realistic costs. For more info, click here:
Construction Plans
Whether you’re building a code-compliant plan or chose to add our Enhanced Efficiency details to create a high-performance home, you will start by reaching out via the contact page so we can work up a proposal. We’ve found that selling stock plans and leaving you trying to figure out how to get them built is not a good experience. We know there will need to be changes based on local building requirements, and you probably want to tweak things a bit yourself. For a more detailed explanation for why we only provide custom plans, click here:
Customized Plans
We recognize that the best houses are designed to fit the site, local climate and the owner’s lifestyle. We are happy to customize any of our plans, so please contact us for an initial discussion.
Natural Homes
We do not sell pre-designed natural homes on our website--there are just too many variables to make that feasible. Whether you are already knowledgeable about natural home building techniques, or want to begin to educate yourself, contact us for an initial discussion. Click here to learn some fundamentals of Natural Home Design, or click on the “My Home” menu tab.
Phone Support
In this age of artificial intelligence, there’s no substitute for interaction with an actual human, especially with something as complicated as building a house. Study plans come with a 1/2 hour of phone support, and construction plans come with a minimum of 4 hours. Learn more here: