Design System

We developed Unity’s design system to offer our clients an alternative to custom design on the one hand, and “plan books” on the other. Designing a custom home can be a time-consuming and expensive process. A common alternative to custom design is selecting a home from a plan book, but that can be very limiting. Unity’s design system provides a middle way to simplify the process of designing a home that works for your needs, your budget and your building lot.

In addition to simplifying the process, our design system also helps to ensure predictability in the quality of the home, the time it takes to build it and the cost, because all of the elements used in the system are predesigned and pre-engineered. Knowing what these elements look like, what’s required to build them, and how they fit together gives us a very good idea of how they will perform, how long construction will take, and what it will cost.

With the growing interest in high-performance, healthy homes, Unity has been experiencing a significant increase in demand. We are responding to this interest by expanding our team and honing our processes, but nevertheless our lead times are currently longer than we would like. These challenges are not unique to Unity; in fact, builders throughout the northeast are struggling to keep up with demand. 

Project schedules depend on many factors, including the length and complexity of the design process, features of the building site, financing, and the availability of local builder partners. Unity is committed to providing our clients with the best possible information about their building schedule throughout the design-build process.

PLATFORMS AND LEGOS

At the heart of our design system are five platforms, or design starting points. We took a page from IKEA’s book by giving our platforms distinctive names: Xyla, Zum, Värm, Tradd and Nano. For each of the platforms, we’ve developed a library of design elements that include bumpouts, wings, dormers, porches, decks, connectors and garages. We think of these elements like parts of a Lego kit that can be used to configure the platforms to fit particular sites, budgets and needs.

Because the elements within our design system have been optimized for production, the more closely clients adhere to the guidelines of the system (we think of it as “coloring within the lines”), the better the value we are able to provide.

DESIGN PATHS

Although Unity offers three different design paths for the initial Preconstruction Services Agreement (PSA) phase, we’re finding increasingly that our simplest and shortest design path, which we call Streamlined, provides the best value to our clients. We’ve developed the components, connections and decision-making to be as efficient as possible for our Streamlined process. The benefits to you the homeowner include lower costs, shorter time frames, and more predictable outcomes. Learn more about Our Streamlined process

We also offer an Express design path, which is the fastest and most affordable path to a high-performance home. This design path does not allow for changes to the design, and has to be on a slab-on-grade foundation.

Download Design Paths Guide

Regardless of the design path chosen for the PSA phase, a virtual 3D model lies at the heart of our process. We add information to this computer model as the design and specifications of the home are determined. The model allows clients to visualize the home as it is being designed, and it ultimately drives the computer-controlled machines in our shop. The model ensures accuracy and speed in the fabrication process, and predictable results for our clients.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Tradd
VERY IMPRESSIVE

Everything from the screenshot meetings to the itemized pricing is very impressive. I don’t consider myself the most visual or technically minded client, but you make it very easy. Having gone through this process, I’m not sure why anyone would want to build a house any other way!

Lisa B., Unity Homeowner

SELECTING FINISHES AND FIXTURES

In addition to developing the design of the home during the PSA process, we also guide our clients in the selection of the materials, finishes and fixtures that will make the house feel like a home. Our interior design team offers a selection of options at various price points that have been vetted for value, aesthetics and sustainability.

Clients who stick closely to Unity’s standard offerings realize the greatest value. Compare STANDARD and UPGRADE options.