Meet Buhaus: The New Standard in Luxe Container Homes
Palm Springs has long been known as a midcentury mecca — home to famous residential projects by the likes of Richard Neutra and Albert Frey — but it’s also globally recognized as a major hub for contemporary technology and design.
The nexus for Palm Spring’s most cutting-edge designs is none other than the Palm Springs Modern Design Expo, an annual showcase held at the kick-off of Modernism Week. Over 40 exhibitors gather at each year in the Palm Springs Convention Center to present the latest concepts in product design, smart home technology, and efficient building. Among this year’s presenters will be Douglas Burdge of Burdge Architects along with his partner Nate Garnero of Garnero, Inc. to showcase their brand new concept in luxurious container homes, Buhaus.
Shipping container homes have exploded in popularity in recent years, proving an attractive housing alternative for tiny-living evangelists, and for homeowners looking to add a backyard accessory dwelling unit. The relatively low-cost to build and shorter overall build times of container homes also make them highly effective as guest houses and even emergency or temporary housing. But unlike most conventional container homes on the market today, which are generally bare-bones in terms of finishes and style, Buhaus is fitted with high-end fixtures that lend the space an utterly luxurious vibe, similar to that of a boutique hotel.
Buhaus — a combination of Malibu, Burdge, and the Bauhaus design movement of the early-mid twentieth century — has all the utility and safety features you’d expect a prefab container home. The 160 square foot unit is completely off-grid capable, fire resistant, and pre-permitted by California Deputy Inspectors, so buyers need only to secure local site planning permits. Designing a unit that was fire-safe was especially important to Burdge and Garnero in light of the devastating 2018 Woolsey Fire that ravaged much of Southern California. The duo wanted to provide their clients with an ultra-luxe container home option that was as resistant to the elements as it was sophisticated.
And sophistication is designed into every detail, indeed — among the notable features inside Buhaus are top-of-the-line luxury appliances and fixtures; hyper-functional furniture, including a transforming sofa wall bed with surrounding modular storage from Resource Furniture; and a spacious deck with a resort-like private outdoor shower. Glass folding doors on either side of the container fill the interior with natural light, creating an indoor/outdoor living space that feels far larger than its actual size suggests. White Corian surfaces cover the bathroom, which leads out seamlessly to the outdoor shower. Sleek, space-saving appliances and custom oak built-ins lend the entire home a modern, minimalist vibe reminiscent of the Bauhaus movement for which the unit is named. And of course, there’s also a mini bar.
Buhaus is highly customizable, offering buyers a variety of exterior finishes and interior storage and furniture configurations to choose from. The incredible flexibility of Buhaus opens myriad possibilities for use as a private residential unit, luxury hospitality suite, or even university housing.
Buhaus will be exhibited at Palm Springs Modern Design Expo, February 14-17 2020, directly outside the Palm Springs Convention Center. Viewing hours are:
Friday-Saturday 11am-6pm
Sunday 11am-5pm
Monday 11am-4pm
Resource Furniture is extremely proud to partner with Burdge Architects to produce this extraordinary intersection of comfort, function and luxury. Resource will also have an exhibitor’s booth at the Modern Design Expo in addition to our furniture display in Buhaus.
