Only 2% of prospective homeowners can afford to hire an architect to design a home. Most people lack the resources to work with architects and settle for affordable yet poorly designed homes. The common solution is cookie-cutter designs not adapted to current needs.
There is a significant market demand for starter homes. Developers have resources to build many homes more affordably but lack an understanding of current market needs or social changes. The developer model struggles to adapt to individual lifestyles and finances. Conversely, custom homes are made based on individual demand, although hiring an architect can be expensive for many. The process of designing and building seems opaque, with few reaching the finished built home. The model of designing individual houses is unsustainable for individual practices, as over 70% of architects work on large-scale projects.
The aim is to make good house designs accessible by creating a digital tool embedding architectural intelligence for everyone to create a well-designed home.
Design with FRANK is a web app allowing anyone to design a custom home and receive construction drawings instantly. FRANK streamlines the traditional design process into a gamified experience.
The engine is designed to be simple and intuitive. Users manipulate 3D blocks with universal joints, resembling playing with construction blocks as children. Once a design is made, users can try various roof types and exterior materials for different American climates. The software provides a real-time VR experience for users to walk inside their designs, along with a real-time cost estimate.
The goal is for people to create compact, well-thought-out homes using local resources and construction techniques. FRANK utilizes local construction methods and natural materials for sustainability. The design optimizes sun and daylight use, increasing insulation, closing thermal gaps, and blocking direct sunlight during the hot season.
Building a house is a long process requiring extensive research. FRANK aims to assist users in all stages, from early concept to construction. Users can purchase a 3D-printed model of their house and choose from two drawing packages for preliminary or full construction sets.
Gabriel Munnich and Yaoyi Fan founded Design with Frank. As graduates of Cooper Union, they noticed a void in the architectural design market. They believe it’s their responsibility to create the next generation of design tools for a larger audience, emphasizing that good design shouldn’t be a luxury.
The name comes from “The Three Little Pigs,” where Frank, the practical pig, strategically builds his house with bricks, saving himself and his brothers from the wolf. Building a home is an investment, and cutting on architectural design presents the risk of a poorly planned and badly built home.
Category:Interactive MediaYear:2023Designers:Gabriel Munnich, Chloe Fan, Design with FRANK, New York, New York, USAManufacturer:Design with FRANK, New York, New York, USA
