In the 1970s, Architect Michael Reynolds developed his "biotecture" designs for passive solar homes built of natural and upcycled materials. Empty glass bottles, dirt-filled tires, and many quirky design elements make the homes look like something from a sci-fi desert planet. The concept is still going strong, with Earthship homes all over the world.
The architecture emphasized ergonomics, usability, and energy efficiency. But what made them most different from the Earthships is that they were also the first automated, computer-controlled "smart homes."
In many ways, the Xanadu homes, of which only three were built, were ahead of their time. Office spaces envisioned integrating work with home life (sound familiar, anyone?). The "electronic dietitian" in the kitchen planned balanced meals, which could be prepared at a preset time. The walls of the family room were covered with television monitors. All of the fifteen rooms (including the health spa) relied heavily on computers and electronics.
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Kissimmee, Florida, 1990 (Wikipedia) |
I'm sorry I never had a chance to live the Jetson lifestyle in a Xanadu home, but maybe this is one of those ideas that will come around again. If so, sign me up for Xanadu 2.0.
Bummer! I would have liked to have seen one of these houses, too. They remind me of the "Sleeper" home that overlooks I-70. It was used during a Woody Allen movie. We'd call it the spaceship house. But I definitely like the Earthship homes much better.
ReplyDeleteI've seen the Sleeper home, too, but just from the outside. I wonder what the inside looks like!
DeleteI've seen a biotecture house constructed on the tv show "Grand Designs", but hadn't heard of the Xanadu house. It certainly seems like it was ahead of its time - probably too far ahead.
ReplyDeleteI agree...the timing probably wasn't great. It does seem like it could have been the perfect 80s trend, however!
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