NOT so much a property as a dwelle-ing, the work of architect Ric Frankland which is slowly taking shape on a prominent site on Wilmslow Road at Rusholme.
He believes that once all the specification has been finalised he would be able to construct a dwelle-ing of this size in six weeks.
The frame was constructed for Greenbuild Expo in Manchester Central last year then transported down the road to a site made available by Eastlands Homes, which own the cluster of tower blocks behind, which Ric is also re-designing.
For them it will be an on-site classroom to teach tenants about energy conservation and insulation but for Ric it’s a way of showing that micro homes can be efficient, sustainable and liveable.
Ric Frankland
He will use it as a ‘show-home’ for potential buyers who have a suitable plot and want a cost efficient place to live. If you want something bigger you just link another dwelle-ing to the side. They would not look out of place lining the new canal arm at New Islington – with that Dutch feel it’d give the place an Amsterdam suburb look.
Clad in Canadian cedar it has a kitchen and wet room at the back of the glass fronted double height living space with an open bedroom above. And as you would expect it is full of energy saving stuff and systems like a fresh air exchanger to make it a healthy space to live.
Framkland has had help from construction company Caseys and firms like Siemens are providing kit but the everyday stuff and much of the labour Ric is doing himself which is why it is taking him longer than he hoped.
He said: “I am also tweaking things as I go along. This is going to be the show case and I want it to be perfect.”
So he is re-designing the paddle staircase into a set of steps that can also be moved around the room on a bracket to access the high wall storage, He’s also looking at how to provide maximum storage in the bathroom.
But the plastering should be done next week and then the wooden floor fitted.
He believes that once all the specification has been finalised he would be able to construct a dwelle-ing of this size in six weeks.
You can check out the spec on his website (here) where he also sees them being used as sea-side huts and home offices. Or you can read this more comprehensive review.
Dwelle
Dwelle
