Green roofs have a double meaning when they’re often covered in plants: They’re verdant, and they’re eco-friendly. They bring down the temperature of the roof, reducing energy use and making things more comfortable for those inside. When found atop a tall building, it’s sort of like having a garden in the sky. When Green Magic Homes makes its green-covered houses, they look like something out of the Shire.
The prefab houses are meant to blend in with the scenery, as long as you live in an idyllic meadow. They may look a little out of place on your average suburban block. Modules are made of FRP, or Fiber Reinforced Polymer. Three people can apparently put together the pieces in about three days for the smallest (nearly 405 square feet) home. Screws, epoxy and polyurethane adhesives and sealants keep everything together and adhere the panels to concrete beams that serve as the base. A 20- or 40-foot container arrives at your soon-to-be home, containing the structural components, wooden doors and windows, galvanized steel screws, and an elastomeric sealant.
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WaikikiImage used with permission by copyright holder
WaikikiImage used with permission by copyright holder
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WaikikiImage used with permission by copyright holder
WaikikiImage used with permission by copyright holder
WaikikiImage used with permission by copyright holder
WaikikiImage used with permission by copyright holder
WaikikiImage used with permission by copyright holder
WaikikiImage used with permission by copyright holder
WaikikiImage used with permission by copyright holder
WaikikiImage used with permission by copyright holder
WaikikiImage used with permission by copyright holder
WaikikiImage used with permission by copyright holder
WaikikiImage used with permission by copyright holder
WaikikiImage used with permission by copyright holder
WaikikiImage used with permission by copyright holder
WaikikiImage used with permission by copyright holder
WaikikiImage used with permission by copyright holder
WaikikiImage used with permission by copyright holder
WaikikiImage used with permission by copyright holder
WaikikiImage used with permission by copyright holder
WaikikiImage used with permission by copyright holder
WaikikiImage used with permission by copyright holder
WaikikiImage used with permission by copyright holder
WaikikiImage used with permission by copyright holder
The FRP, which makes up 95 percent of the home, is waterproof, important when you’re growing a garden on top. Designed to hold the weight of about 7.8 inches worth of soil and plants, the house could even support bushes, according to Green Magic Homes. Its designs are in compliance with the International Building Code, the company states.
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MediterraneoImage used with permission by copyright holder
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MediterraneoImage used with permission by copyright holder
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MediterraneoImage used with permission by copyright holder
MediterraneoImage used with permission by copyright holder
MediterraneoImage used with permission by copyright holder
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MediterraneoImage used with permission by copyright holder
MediterraneoImage used with permission by copyright holder
MediterraneoImage used with permission by copyright holder
MediterraneoImage used with permission by copyright holder
MediterraneoImage used with permission by copyright holder
MediterraneoImage used with permission by copyright holder
MediterraneoImage used with permission by copyright holder
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MediterraneoImage used with permission by copyright holder
MediterraneoImage used with permission by copyright holder
MediterraneoImage used with permission by copyright holder
MediterraneoImage used with permission by copyright holder
MediterraneoImage used with permission by copyright holder
MediterraneoImage used with permission by copyright holder
MediterraneoImage used with permission by copyright holder
MediterraneoImage used with permission by copyright holder
There are a variety of predesigned homes, including the 405-square-foot Waikiki and the 1,917-square-foot Mediterraneo. The bigger homes cost $34.74 per square foot; the smaller ones are a bit more expensive. The Waikiki will set you back around $14,998. It could be a tiny home, or a gym, or office separate from your dwelling. The $66,596 Mediterraneo is a four-bedroom, four-bathroom house that happens to look like a dome home reclaimed by nature. The earthquake-resistant homes should be covered with native plants to make them virtually maintenance-free.
The Florida-based company says it ships its prefab modules all over the world from its plant in Cancun, Mexico.
Apple HomeView: Everything you need to know about Apple’s new smart home brain
Apple HomeView is more than an iPad for your wall. Here's everything it does
During the Welcome Home event, Apple announced a bunch of products that expand its smart home lineup. These share a connected ecosystem around the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The idea was to bring its tight integration into the living room, kitchen, and practically every other corner of your house.
Among these new gadgets was the Apple HomeView, the company's long-awaited smart home display, unveiled during its October 13 Welcome Home event. It combines a 7-inch touchscreen, built-in speakers, Apple's new conversational Siri AI, and a centralized dashboard for managing everything from security cameras to smart lighting.
Apple wants $279 to fix your $299 HomeView, so you better not drop it
Apple’s newest smart display comes with a not-so-smart repair bill.
I was genuinely excited when Apple announced the HomeView. A 7-inch smart display from Apple sounded like something I would happily put on my kitchen counter. Then Apple published its repair prices, and my excitement took a nosedive.
Why does a repair cost almost as much as a new one?