Native American communities
have historically been the forgotten group. Poverty and government
oversights have plagued communities across the nation. Housing on tribal
land rarely caters to the cultural, environmental or social needs of the
families. However, with new programs, new revenue streams and many
professionals moving back to their communities, reservations are growing and in
some cases thriving like never before. Goods and services are coming to
the Native American communities in record numbers. Tribal members should
now settle for nothing but the best.
Robert Klob has personally
followed the Native American culture for most of his life. He has made it
an important part of his business model to provide a culturally diverse and
environmentally sensitive design process for tribal members. Over the
years he and his family have made friendships with tribal members in
communities throughout the southwest. RKD has designed homes in several
communities for individuals and tribal governments with the unique needs of the
members incorporated..
Green building techniques and
materials are popular buzzwords right now. Native
Americans &
Indigenous people have been using sustainable materials for their homes
for
centuries. However, In the last 50 years the use of these materials has
changed to building methods that are not sensitive to the environment, family or culture. Mainstream America is finally changing their way of thinking and living to a more sustainable life. As it has shown so often before – The past is the foundation for the
future.
The world is now evolving to
create more environmentally conscious buildings. Tribal communities now
have easy access to not just traditional materials but also some of the best
building technologies ever available.
A technology that is safe, environmentally sensitive AND energy efficient is Insulated Concrete Forms or ICFs for short. ICF Walls
offer not just energy efficiency but safety from disasters – both natural and
man made. These walls can withstand fire and wind but also flying debris.
Many reservations are faced with natural disasters every year with
thousands of homes and buildings destroyed. Insurance and government
bureaucracy has made rebuilding difficult when these tragedies occur.
ICFs can withstand these forces thus saving not only life but property
also.
Mother Nature is not the only force to affect life on the reservations. Like many
areas of the country, tribal land has been subject to violence. Many have
feared for their family’s safety while living in tribal communities. ICFs
offer added protection from this violence for those communities in
transition. Robert Klob Designs specializes in ICFs and would welcome the
opportunity to discuss the needs of not just tribal leaders, but also
individual community members to show how members can now live in a safe, secure
and environmentally friendly home.
Robert Klob Designs, Inc. has
worked with many tribal communities in Arizona
and has also consulted with other tribes and members throughout the
Southwest. We would welcome the
opportunity to work with any tribal community or tribal member.
All of the homes represented on this page are homes that RKD has designed for tribal members or communities. As you can see, its not the same standard that has been common for tribes during the past 50 years. Tribal members should now live in homes that the rest of the U.S. enjoys. Let RKD incorporate your ideas and cultural needs into your next home.
RKD has designed custom homes for tribal members along with production type housing. We have also worked with programs to establish extremely affordable AND energy efficient homes for the first time home buyer. This type of design work with production builders on non-tribal land is common - now tribal programs can benefit from our expertise.
OLD Tribal Housing
NEW Tribal Housing
1970s-90s Government housing has fallen in
disrepair. Designs were not energy efficient & materials can’t
withstand the environment over time.
Homes were built with least expensive materials available to keep initial costs down, life cost is several times original build cost.
New tribal housing is similar to non tribal housing, incorporating energy efficient, and long lasting materials.
New homes are safe, secure, low maintenance & environmentally friendly with the enhancement of cultural diversity.
ROBERT KLOB DESIGNS COMMITMENT FOR EACH DESIGN PROJECT
We work with many different municipalities and mesh their requirements
with our clients needs.
We have actual construction experience ensuring a cohesive team from
design through construction.
We design WITH our clients to
create the best possible living environment.
We research market conditions, design trends and resale strengths to
maximize your investment.
We create plans with room relationships that offer furnishing options, are
family functional & budget conscious.
We present multiple options during the design process to ensure educated
decisions.
We offer extensive experience with energy efficient and green building
technologies.
We design for maximum use of space as outlined in the “Not So Big House”
books by Susanne Suzanka.
We strive for a Design that will Live with your Family, Lifestyle and
Budget.
Designs that Live with your Family, Lifestyle & Budget ™
