'The Original Dwell House' for Sale

Normally we wouldn't apprise readers of World-Architects about a house auction, but we're making an exception given the history of this house. In January 2003 Dwell magazine held the Dwell Home Design Invitational, a competition that asked sixteen architects to design a modern prefab house that could be built for $200,000. The winner, announced at ICFF that year, was New York's Resolution: 4 Architecture, which was founded in 1990 by Joseph Tanney and Robert Luntz.

Here is Dwell's basic description of the design from an in-depth article from 2009, four years after the house was built:

"Res 4 had developed a system of building based on prefabricated modules that could be inexpensively produced in a factory environment, trucked to the site, and craned onto a concrete foundation that houses all mechanical systems. These easy-to-transport modules could be configured in any number of ways to create limitless home-design possibilities. Res 4’s invitational design created a program specific to the clients, their needs, and their site."

RES: 4 has realized dozens more "modern modulars" (per the title of their recent monograph) since then, utilizing the knowledge they gained from this first prefab project of theirs.

Situated on nine acres in Pittsboro, North Carolina, AuctionFirst describes it as a "very private hilltop retreat" that may be "one of the most recognizable modern houses built in the 21st century."

The Original Dwell House has sold at least once since it was built, for $500,000, more than double what it originally cost. Auction estimates give a range of $475-$575,000. Those interested in bidding have until 3pm EST on 15 November 2016.

h/t: Architects+Artisans