Katrina Cottages in Buena Vista
Articles - Community

by: Laurie BensonKSrenderingSmall

One important aspect of the New Urbanism is having a diverse offering of home sizes and price points. These variations ensure a sustainable, community full of life and activity.

The Katrina Cottage, designed by new urbanist architect Marianne Cusato, is opening the door for South Main to introduce a smaller, easy living home for those owners interested in focusing more on quality of life and less on paying the mortgage or having the upkeep of a larger home.KCrendering
What is a Katrina Cottage?
The Katrina Cottage was originally designed as an alternative to the FEMA housing after hurricane Katrina devastated the South East. This new design is taking production home building to a new level and winning awards for innovative designer, Cusato.

In October of last year the Christian Science Monitor summed up these cottages perfectly:

“The Katrina cottage - with living quarters about the size of a McMansion bathroom - is now appealing to people well beyond the flood plain. Californians want to build one in their backyards to use for rental income to help with the mortgage payment. Modestly paid kayakers in Colorado see it as a way to finally afford a house. Elsewhere, people envision building one so a parent can live nearby.

Flying in the face of a "big house" trend, designers of these tiny abodes seem to have found a new housing niche. Some experts cite an interest by some Americans in downsizing their habitats, a reaction to the supersized home, and note the challenge of heating and cooling a big house at a time when family budgets are flat. Others note that changing demographics - more empty-nesters and single adults - may mean a timely debut of the Lilliputian homes.”

In 2006, the Smithsonian Institute's Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum honored Cusato with the first annual “People's Choice Award.” Cusato leads a team of designers that have partnered with Lowe's in a licensing agreement to sell the plans and material packages for the Lowe's Katrina Cottage Series.

What do these cottages offer South Main?
These cottages offer an easy way for homeowners to insert themselves into an amazing small town, mountain lifestyle. In a neighborhood consisting of homes priced upwards of a million dollars, these cottages offer an incredible alternative for year round residents, first time homebuyers, vacation retreats, rentals and much more.

Those fortunate to call a South Main Katrina Cottage home will receive a new cruiser bike to get around town as well as their top three choices from our Local Fun Package. This package is an introduction to the incredible lifestyle that can be enjoyed when you call Buena Vista home. Homeowners will choose from activities such as skiing at Monarch Ski and Snowboard Resort, a fly fishing trip, mountain bike tours, rafting the Arkansas River and much more.

For more information on the cottages take a look at the following articles and links:

Cusato Cottages
IWPR Group
Interior Design
Lowes