Io 16.5-- Italy, TX

Our Io-16.5 is actually an old design. This unit is from an earlier design we made. It was great, we just failed to realize its full potential. When we started our program of building and renting the small domes we lined up the Io-16.5 units we had and started building the Io-20's. The Io-20's are great but we realized that we needed a smaller, less expensive unit – hence we started building the four-plexes. Then we had the fire in the Io-20. It was confined to the single unit. There was very little damage. It was very apparent there was a huge advantage to the single unit. As we discussed our options it was also very apparent if we had one smoker in a four-plex, all of the units would be affected. Even bugs could travel between units. Sound could be heard between the units.

We then analyzed our costs. The cost of four individual Io-16.5s is very close to that of a four-plex. And the occupant has a much better feel of privacy. It is their cabin, their sounds, their private little world. And the impact of the neighbors is negligible. Our next round of rental units will include a bunch of the Io-16.5s or the Monolithic Cabins.

Consider land usage. The four-plex takes less space. But we find we need two car spaces for each rental unit. We need one for the renter and one for a visitor or a second vehicle or boat or trailer. So the parking actually takes more space than the units. If land is expensive an apartment house is probably a better alternative. We are designing three floor walk ups, and 10 story elevator apartment houses. There will be a place for these. But there is a huge amount of the world where the Io-16.5 will be the logical choice.

For those of you who are following this line of rental units consider a mix of the Io-20s, Io-16.5s, and the Monolithic Cabins.

Click here to download a pdf of the construction drawings.

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