Crafting a Workspace

The past few years have seen remote work become more commonplace, and employees have carved out workstations in their homes. This Charlestown modular residence accommodates your home office needs with a spacious section designed for productivity.

“A lot of us are working from home either full time or part time, and it allows space for that,” Anderson said. 

Emphasizing Uniqueness

Why does this house stand out? The unique architectural layout isn’t something you’d see in an average stick-built or modular home, adding to the charm and showing the designers’ creative touches. 

For instance, walking up the stairs gives you a broad view of the outdoors because of the sizable Marvin windows. These large frames add plenty of natural light, making this Charlestown home feel even more expansive when you step inside. Experts say natural light boosts vitamin D and mitigates fluorescent lighting risks, making your home a more comfortable place to live. 

“The design came together well with the exterior features,” Anderson said. “And I think that wall of windows on the staircase is not your average home.” 

Natural light was a priority in construction, as nearly every room in the house features large windows to maximize daylight. The wall of windows on the staircase was among the most significant challenges, as Anderson says the team had to install it after the house was set.

“Getting that designed took some more work than the average house would,” she said. 

Taking advantage of natural light is essential to bring in heat — a Northeast requirement as the leaves change colors and the thermometer shows lower temperatures.  

Adapting to the New England Climate

Summers are pleasant in Rhode Island, with people traveling to New England to escape the scorching hot temperatures. However, the transition to winter often brings cold weather and snow, making you crank up the heat. Utility bills can get high, but this Charlestown modular home uses environmentally friendly building ideas to increase efficiency. 

This house uses passive solar principles to heat itself naturally for most of the year. You can achieve passive solar by maximizing south-facing windows, implementing strong insulation and reducing heat loss throughout the home.

Additionally, the builders installed fully electric heat pump technology to reduce the home’s greenhouse emissions and give the homeowners more sustainable features. You also get solar panels and spray foam to support the electric heat system in the winter. 

This house follows the trend of Americans adopting renewable technology for improved efficiency. Experts say energy upgrades make homes more attractive on the market, and buyers will pay more for a house with Energy Star-rated appliances and lower utility bills. 

Making Modular a Significant Advantage

Modular building brings numerous advantages, including more efficient scheduling and streamlined processes. One of the critical aspects of this project was determining what care and attention the home needed before beginning construction.

“I always feel like some of the benefits of modular is we’re figuring out a lot of the building issues before you start building it,” she said. “So we’ve already worked through all those challenges and kinks, and then it’s a little more smooth sailing once the house is there.”

Shortening the Timeline

Another significant benefit of modular building is shortening construction timelines. Anderson said the family was ready to move in about five months after setting the house on the foundation, with only the engineering aspects requiring more time due to the build’s challenge. 

Getting your modular home finished promptly is a welcome sight amid disruptions in the last few years. Federal government data shows Northeast homes require about 11 months to build, and delays could make your wait even longer. Using modular construction typically means your clients won’t have to wait as long to move in. 

Reducing Maintenance

Maintaining your house is essential to an efficient and well-functioning structure. For this project, the clients prioritized sustainability and minimal upkeep to keep the home in good shape. You can implement durable features around the building to make it as low effort as possible. 

“They wanted it to be as maintenance-free as possible,” Anderson said. “So that’s why they chose some of the siding and outside features.

“In the kitchen, the backsplash is a full-quartz backsplash so there’s no grout to clean.”

Using Modular Building for Unique Structures

Modular homes have become more popular because you have more design control with each project. Clients can pick from a preset floor plan or bring their ideas and collaborate with the builder. Anderson says about 25% of clients come to Connecticut Valley Homes with ideas, leading to unique houses like the one in Charlestown. 

While modular has some limitations, not much can stop you from building a breathtaking home. This Charlestown house sets the example for incorporating natural light and making a staircase the center of your house. You can also use modern design ideas to include energy efficiency and comfortable living all year.