Everhouse: A new plan for post-Katrina homes

He wanted to emulate the Scandinavian factory-crafted model, where a united group tackles the whole project instead of the subcontractor method typical in American construction, where individual tasks are outsourced to several distinct groups.

The Scandinavian model brings everyone to the same site, making each stage easier to coordinate and saving time and money, he says.

To keep costs down, the components of an Everhouse are made by a factory in Palatka, Fla., and then delivered to the land where each unit will be built. And like a desk from Ikea, the pieces arrive with all the necessary materials included.

“There’s nothing different between building in the field versus building in a factory,” says Sawyer.

The designs are so simple that workers can assemble the shell of an 1,300-square-foot Everhouse in one day, the team says. The next day, all the windows and doors should be installed and the house can then be secured by lock and key.

After that, Sawyer sees each house being completed in no more than eight days. His goal is to go from start to finish within 400 labor hours.

Step 3: What to build?
Sawyer and McKenna asked architect Steve Mackenzie to design some prototypes that would address the heat and hurricanes that are common to the Gulf Coast area.

They opted for a “panelized” design, because the concrete panels are easy to transport and give both the designer and homeowner a good amount of flexibility in house plans.

“John and I did a [similar project] a few years back,” says Mr. Mackenzie. “The Everhouse is simply the natural outgrowth of our desire to address the many elements in home building – design, construction, permitting, financing, and insurance – in a practical and unique way.”

The current Mississippi model has received kudos from John “Shorty” Sneed, a local insurance broker.

Mr. Sneed thinks the Everhouse is “well-built and built efficiently.” And, as an insurance expert, he likes the idea that it’s designed to stand up against the hurricane-force winds that often buffet this part of the country. “When you consider that this house can save you 25 to 35 percent on insurance costs, it makes a real impact on the affordability issue,” he says.

Sawyer hopes to launch into full production (1,500 Everhouses a year) by the end of fall.

While happy to help Mississippi in this rough time, Sawyer and McKenna are looking to make a profit off the Everhouse. They wouldn’t say how much. But if they’re able to bring both new jobs and new homes, they expect that there will be a lot of new money for everyone involved.

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