Rad Pad: First

Jan 08, 2024

An innovative, prefab house in Minneapolis is awaiting its first buyer.

Architect Charlie Lazor of the firm Lazor/Office built the FlatPak modular home for himself in 2004. First listed last year for $1,095,000, the modular home is returning to the market for $999,000.

"It was kind of a prototype of what became FlatPak," says listing agent Bruce Erickson, with Compass. "They built a number of homes kind of patterned after this property. It was designed to be factory-made in pieces and then assembled on site."

The first-of-its-kind pad was even featured on the cover of Dwell magazine, the listing notes.

(Joel Lazor)

The 2,840-square-foot home is divided between two structures that Erickson refers to as the "big box" and the "little box." Both spaces share similar design details.

"It's a very open floor plan, with really simple elements: glass, steel, concrete, and some wood," Erickson says. "It just has a kind of a modern European take on housing, with high ceilings and lots of floor-to-ceiling glass. It's got an industrial feel to it yet is really warm. It's an interesting balance of the elements."

(Joel Lazor)

(Joel Lazor)

(Joel Lazor)

The big box features the shared spaces—the kitchen, living room, dining room, and powder room on the main floor. Three bedrooms and two bathrooms are situated upstairs.

A home office or den is on the main floor of the little box, with a multiuse space above it.

"It's an interesting layout," Erickson notes. "There's a separation between the spaces, yet they are connected. There's a lot of glass between them, so there is a visual connection, but there is some separation."

The same roof covers both structures, and the walkway connecting them is covered but open.

"You do have to walk through the elements between one and the other, but it's about 12 feet or so," he explains.

(Joel Lazor)

(Joel Lazor)

(Joel Lazor)

He says is favorite thing about the house is its abundant use of glass.

"It's massive amounts of glass," he says. "The light is great. The connection to the outdoors is incredible. It's so rare that I see this amount of glass in a single-family home."

The house was on the market last year, and Erickson says there was a lot of interest, but buyers backed off because there is no garage.

"There's a light rail transit line being constructed basically adjacent to the property, so that will allow car-less transportation all over the metro area," he says.

Erickson notes that the home is ideal for "a sophisticated person who is less dependent on a car, and someone who really loves architecture, as well. It's not for someone who wants just another old house."

The home will available for showings, beginning May 20.

Tiffani Sherman is a Florida-based writer who covers real estate, finance, and travel.