Target practice - Home front: tips and trends from the world of residential design - Target Stores Inc., Michael Graves Architect, and Lindal Cedar Homes Inc. partnership - Brief Article

Residential Architect, Jan-Feb, 2003 by Shelley D. Hutchins

Owning a Michael Graves-designed house just got a little easier. The architect has partnered with his favorite consumer venue, Target stores, and Lindal Cedar homes to produce a high-design kit home for the masses. To launch the project, Target held a sweepstakes for newlyweds through its gift registry service "Club Wedd." (Winners had not been selected by press time.) Singles and others can purchase the home from the company's Web site at www.target.com. Gary Lapera, AIA, principal with Michael Graves & Associates, says the firm's motivation to participate was simply their belief in Target's credo: "Good design at affordable prices."

Would-be Graves homeowners can choose from several living-space variations among the approximately 2,000-square-foot plans. Custom options include millwork and built-ins, such as bookshelves and a breakfast table. Lapera compares the details to "those of a post-and-beam house--elegantly simple in a way that expresses the craft of construction and integrity of materials." To ensure a consistent Graves look throughout the house, the firm also specifies such interior features as cabinets, floor finishes, and paint colors.

"The best way to execute all this," says Lapera, "was to partner with the builder for a seamless marriage of design and production." Lindal will compile the house plans and materials and ship it to almost any site in the world. More than 200 Lindal dealers are located around the globe to oversee the building process.