" Clayton's "i-house" was conceived as a moderately priced "plug and play" dwelling for environmentally conscious homebuyers." says a Yahoo news article on this innovative new housing option.

Do you think this house will be the answer to affordable eco homes? 

 No.  I don't think it is the answer. I live in an affordable home - you know one of those cookie cutter homes in a preplanned subdivision.  The upkeep on this thing is more than a "normal" house.  The paint was cheap so we had to redo it.  The flooring is cheap and that is now on our list to redo.  The baseboard trip is cheap prepainted flakeboard and swells with any hint of moisture.  The cabinets are flakeboard.  

While I do love all the green, solar and energy features, I know that most of those run so the houses must be made of very cheap materials to go for that price. 

2ndGenGranola:

I know that most of those run so the houses must be made of very cheap materials to go for that price. 

I was wondering about that as well. The price of the home seemed low in comparison to what the solar and green features seem to cost.

What do you think is an affordable way to go without compromising quality in other areas?  

Brandy:

What do you think is an affordable way to go without compromising quality in other areas?

Thats hard to say.  

We live in an area that they were discussing placing those homes.  The sizes are a little less than 1/2 the size of my house and around the same price.  I think if we went to a back to basics look rather then trying to label everything luxury we might be off to a good start.  Now that I know my baseboard trim is the cheap stuff, I would have much rather paid for a plain looking real wood instead of this scalloped fake stuff.  I would much rather pay for a nice tile tub and shower set up rather than this cheaper garden tub with sepearte shower.  I'm probably on the extreme end here but I would much rather have a nice looking, professional kitchen shelf system anyday over this flakeboard garbage.  With all the home makeover shows that may be hard to do.  Too many have been conditioned that they must change their kitchen as often as they change their underwear so cheap is what they want.  Now for me I would love to find an all wood kitchen cabinet like my grandmother had (I'm guessing 1930 ish).

2ndGenGranola:

Now for me I would love to find an all wood kitchen cabinet like my grandmother had (I'm guessing 1930 ish).

 I sometimes think I must be in the minority as well. I would LOVE to have old kitchen cabinets with that wood design they used to put over the kitchen window. I grew up in and around old houses that had styles from the 40s to 70s so a lot of the old stuff appeals to me.

Working people need solar more than any other class of people.  I've been raising hell for years about putting solar on mobile homes. 

That said, the i-house is overpriced.  If I know Clayton, it's probably badly laid out, with a living room the size of a baking soda box and a bathroom made for ten at a time.  I know that everyone wants frills, but a family-friendly floor plan, laminate(or even vinyl) instead of carpet, and solar light and water with heavy insulation and rot-proof flooring are what retirees and working couples need and they can add their frills later with the money they save on utilities.  100 thou is NOT a moderate price for MH purchasers.

littlepitcher:

That said, the i-house is overpriced

I think that has been true of many manufactured homes being built now. I have noticed the waste of space too like huge bathrooms with small living areas and I can't figure out why they are designing homes that way.