Portland group unveils minimalist green house design

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In the early 1960s, Robert Rummer built about 750 modern, architect-inspired homes around the Portland Metro area that were affordable, efficient and stylish. Now a group out of Portland is aiming to leave a similar mark on the region's housing stock with a new model for architect-designed, affordable green homes.

Minimalist+ is the work of builder Jeff Lightfoot of Advantage Services, architect Michelle Jeresek of Departure Design and real estate professionals David Todd and Steve Strode of Meadows Group Inc. The firm combines modern design with the newest trend in green residential building: pre-fabricated construction.

With the help of partner Parr Lumber, Minimalist+ houses will be built using a panel system in a warehouse and then erected on site in a number of days.

"It's great time and material efficiency," said Todd.

Todd and Strode are in talks with a half dozen potential buyers of Minimalist+ homes, but lots on which to build them have yet to be secured.

The homes come in two flavors. The "light green" version prices out at $160 per square foot and includes features such as an efficient gas heater and fiberglass insulation. The "dark green" model will include many more efficiency measures — such as on-demand water heater, heat pump, dual-flush toilets — and comes in at $180 per square foot for a total cost of $332,640 for a 1,848-square-foot home.

"We're working on adding a menu of mechanical features that buyers can choose from," Todd said. The group is working with energy consultants to add options for additional efficiency tweaks such as radiant heat on the ground floor and solar-ready energy packages.