March 26, 2010

These Might Be Old News for Some People, but WOW.

"AMONG the traditional brick and clapboard structures that line the streets of this sleepy East Texas town, 70 miles north of Houston, a few houses stand out: their roofs are made of license plates, and their windows of crystal platters.

They are the creations of Dan Phillips, 64, ---. About 12 years ago, Mr. Phillips began his latest career: building low-income housing out of trash."

excerpt from 'One Man's Trash...' by Kate Murphy, New York Times, 9/2/2009

I read this New York Times article last fall when it was first published. It has haunted me ever since... If we can make such beautiful houses from some 90% reclaimed materials, AND save on cost, why are we not doing more of it? I cannot wait to be ready to settle down and design a house!

and, check out the slide show - these houses are as far from what most people envision when they think of low-income housing as possible!

No comments:

Post a Comment