Monte-Silo House by Gigaplex Architects
This house in Woodland, Utah was designed by Gigaplex Architects.
From the architects:
A cozy home to accommodate a single man and weekend guests, including grandchildren, next to Provo River. Two linked corrugated metal grain silos arranged to allow the largest (27’ diameter) to have the most proximate visual and aural access to the Provo River, and the southern exposure to ensure passive solar heat gain during the winter. An electric mesh is embedded into the slabs of the lower floor as a first auxiliary heat source, and a propane-burning stove (manageable by internet) will provide the back-up. The metal grating and guard rail of the second level deck will provide shading into this great-room space during the summer months. Includes a “Bed in a Box” concept, each one complete with stereo sound and flat screen monitor.
Visit the website of Gigaplex Architects – here.
Visit the website of Gigaplex Architects – here.
James on 10 Jan 2009 at 11:45 am #
I like this a lot! The bedrooms remind of sleeping on a train, what a good idea.
Steven Finch on 10 Jan 2009 at 11:57 am #
This is just an amazing house. I really like the beds!!
Nemo on 10 Jan 2009 at 12:30 pm #
Really cool. Always wanted to live in a windmill, now I have a new dream. I wonder where they get the curved windows.
douggard on 10 Jan 2009 at 4:13 pm #
i would be afraid that the box bed would be too short for me
or lame if i had a girlfriend
Kevin on 10 Jan 2009 at 4:33 pm #
Very cool! The windows aren’t curved they just seem to be because of the shape of the building. The interior view shows how they are installed
Ruby on 10 Jan 2009 at 4:48 pm #
Those bedroom chambers are awesome. They look so comfortable.
Speedmaster on 10 Jan 2009 at 5:04 pm #
Very cool, I love it!
Ryan on 10 Jan 2009 at 5:43 pm #
The problem with beds like that is how much space is wasted in the wall. They could have at least incorporated drawers and cabinets into the spaces in the wall around the beds for storage. As it is there’s a ton wasted.
Porcus Wallabee on 10 Jan 2009 at 6:03 pm #
Won’t the shiny metal reflect heat off the house cooling it in the winter?
Other than that, neat.
Eamonn on 10 Jan 2009 at 6:24 pm #
It looks really cool, but with my practical hat on I would suggest that it is a right pain to try and change the bedding on a weekly basis.
Charlie from ND on 10 Jan 2009 at 9:22 pm #
I have looked at Grain Bins all my life and thought that a guy could live in one of those. This is cool and on the Provo River too…
Luke on 11 Jan 2009 at 12:51 am #
sharp!
crackgerbal on 11 Jan 2009 at 1:50 am #
Interesting idea! looks better than originally expected
Stan on 11 Jan 2009 at 9:40 pm #
Cool! I always wanted to retrofit an old water tower into a house. This is similar but probably easier to obtain.
Davied Kelley on 12 Jan 2009 at 12:30 am #
very interesting
Ivo on 12 Jan 2009 at 3:38 am #
Awesome design, great pics, liked the beds positions !
Cheers
ann on 12 Jan 2009 at 8:22 am #
way outside the box…good clean fun
Adamski on 12 Jan 2009 at 2:47 pm #
Nice idea but the silo is only realy cladding as a silo would not be able to support the floors etc due to the windows and doors as loads on a silo are (sould be) even/ central otherwise they fall over. I should know I work with them all the time, they are ment to store grain not make a house so its just a nice cladding job. Thier must be some structural elements within the building best example is within the kitchen. Also no gutters on roof so water would realy pour off and make a mess, and could have been reused. Nice idea but thier are plenty of nicer “round” houses. IMHO – must try harder. sorry.
Rob on 12 Jan 2009 at 3:20 pm #
seems expensive and impractical.. with all that space, money and resources, you could build two beautiful cozy cabins with all the same amenities.
Mik on 12 Jan 2009 at 8:57 pm #
The exterior design is beautiful. Although I wonder what inspired the silo concept, were there silos that needed to be used? Maybe this person has a thing for silos. The first level is gorgeous. Great modern ideas. The bedroom: cheesey as all heck. The beds in the wall are way too gimmicky for my tastes. But, hey, whatever floats your boat.
Sarah on 13 Jan 2009 at 11:49 am #
WOW! Seeing this freaked me out a little bit…
I did a project in Architecture school that looks almost identical to this! The interior is a little different. I had not thought about the pod-type sleeping quarters, however mine had a grand staircase with a loft on the second floor.
VERY COOL!!
Me on 14 Jan 2009 at 11:30 am #
Modern always looks so cold to me, but there are still some really neat design ideas in here. I especially like how the stairwell interrupts the kitchen, yet doesn’t at the same time, meaning the way they use that space. Though I think it would have been easier to install projectors instead of a flat screen monitor (especially ones that small). All in all rather interesting though.
Bill on 14 Jan 2009 at 1:34 pm #
Beds might be above the stair space so there is no room for space under. No reason for gutters on a home with no basement that can be damaged. Kitchen looks made for a non-cook. This looks good in the natural setting. Trees are young and the view would be had in the second story. Very nice.
Bez on 14 Jan 2009 at 1:56 pm #
Not a big fan. The outside is kind of cool but the inside is actually kind of bland. The rubber flooring on the entry level makes me think of walking into a public library or something. The bland grey carpet at the upper level washes everything out and looks like a cheap afterthought. I really don’t like the beds. they seem very claustrophobic to me.
jesse on 14 Jan 2009 at 5:53 pm #
Love the style of the beds.
ChinaTrader on 17 Jan 2009 at 3:04 pm #
Smart architect.
Very fine building. Never saw something like that.
nm on 17 Jan 2009 at 11:51 pm #
I’ve always wanted a bedroom compartment like that. Sleeping in my normal-room tonight is going to be extra-annoying now that I’ve seen this! But I agree, the wall-space around the beds should have been used for cupboards, shelves, and drawers.
modina on 18 Jan 2009 at 9:09 am #
i like it
moses on 18 Jan 2009 at 1:31 pm #
I would have love to sleep inside tonight but it’s so difficult to locate…
A Dane on 19 Jan 2009 at 5:00 am #
Psychologists can easily explain why many find this type of ‘mother´s womb’-like bed compartments so appealing – but health-wise, they are a terrible mistake. Bacteria and dust mites will thrive in the humid micro-climate. Beds need the best possible natural ventilation under and around them.
Sadly, this “solution” is designed by complete amateurs.
Susan on 20 Jan 2009 at 2:31 am #
I really like this house! Like so many others, I love the sleeping areas…bacteria and dust mites not withstanding.
I do think the main room could be made to look a little less sterile and laboratory-like though.
Mr Earl on 20 Jan 2009 at 6:31 pm #
Just saw this site. Appreciate the comments. Montesilo is my house. The pictures above were taken before I moved all my stuff in. If you want to see a more up to date look inside and out check out the video on my blog.
http://montesilo.blogspot.com/
This is my third winter living here and the house is wonderfully efficient, warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The “Bed in a Box”s are for guests and loved by all, each is almost 8 feet long and plenty big for two. Kids love them. Cabinets above and drawers below are still in the plans, but at some point in all projects the money runs out.
I have built several other houses and one of the motavations for this design was never having to paint or stain again. Utah at 7000 feet is a harsh enviorment for wood.Antway it is nice to have people appreciate my crazy house.
La Stella Blu on 21 Jan 2009 at 9:44 am #
I love the concept and the house. The natural light and open living spaces are wonderful. The only thing I could do without is the metal siding on the outside.
Dave on 21 Jan 2009 at 10:10 am #
How can you love the concept, but not the metal siding?
The concept is all about living in a silo, and silos are made of metal.
emma on 21 Jan 2009 at 2:45 pm #
the beds look so confortable!!!I really like it
Brian on 21 Jan 2009 at 9:34 pm #
Only houses with basements need gutters? do you live in the desert, Bill? Cool house!
Jay Valento - Long Beach Condos on 21 Jan 2009 at 11:19 pm #
I like the inside design of the home. Perhaps the outside of this home could be different than looking like a tin can…
TiaToma on 22 Jan 2009 at 6:04 pm #
I love concept homes
veggen on 23 Jan 2009 at 4:40 am #
The roundness would and will drive the inhabitants insane before long.
Shreyas on 23 Jan 2009 at 8:34 am #
It’s really wonderful! Very nice pieces of the best architecture.
Mr Earl on 23 Jan 2009 at 9:26 am #
Those crazy Millions who have lived in, yurts, igloos, rondavels, teppees, wichiups etc. Only up tight europeans insist on square corners. Round is down. It’s great.
David Basulto on 26 Jan 2009 at 11:25 am #
You can see detailed drawings for this house on:
http://www.archdaily.com/8075/monte-silo-gigaplex-architects/
kast on 03 Feb 2009 at 6:42 pm #
the pod like bed is so comfy ..ignore the germs and bacteria as matress nowday is antigerms and surely they wash up their linen …
Rick Answer Analyst on 05 Feb 2009 at 12:02 am #
Great idea. Is this cheap to build per square foot.
Is there much storage built into the design? or is most of the space open?
This looks really cool.
Rick
dorela on 09 Feb 2009 at 12:51 am #
amazing house, cool!
kent on 11 Feb 2009 at 2:31 pm #
My, my, so many overcritical comments. Worst thing I could say about it is not a good house to raise kids in- how would you make them stand in the corner when they misbehave?
Amy on 04 Apr 2009 at 9:19 am #
I love this place! Would love to have a place similar to this one day… Very creative use of space and materials. I will never look at a silo the same way again.
Dave White on 29 Jul 2009 at 5:44 pm #
This isn’t the wierdest dwelling I have seen but it’s close. I hope it can’t be seen from the highway. It looks like a lunar habitat and I’m sure most communities would not let it be built in their neighborhood. The inside looks like a prison – cold and not inviting. Would you want to live here? I sure wouldn’t.
KAROO on 09 Nov 2009 at 3:04 pm #
I love the concept….but could not find the above mentioned detailed drawings on mentioned web site.
Kmay on 06 Dec 2009 at 2:27 pm #
I LOVE This design….I wonder how much it cost total to do this. I’ve been thinking of using a silo for a home for a LONG time and after seeing this, my plans are going further. How much should someone expect to spend on a house like this??? any thoughts or suggestions?
Bryan on 20 Dec 2009 at 6:09 am #
Too cool !! Funny how some people mix up their OPINION with what they think is right or wrong~some people need to chill out a little and enjoy something for what it is… Love to see stuff like this!!