Rocio Romero facts for kids

Rocio Romero (born in 1971) is a talented designer from Chile and the United States. She is famous for creating modern, pre-made homes. These homes are often called "kit houses" because they come as a set of parts. This method helps keep costs low. It also makes it easier to build homes that follow local rules. Karrie Jacobs, a well-known editor from Dwell magazine, praised Rocio for bringing back the idea of kit houses.

About Rocio Romero

Early Life and Education

Rocio Romero was born in Chile in 1971. In 1973, she moved with her parents to California. She grew up in San Diego. Rocio went to the University of California, Berkeley. She earned a degree in architecture in 1993. Later, in 1999, she got her master's degree. This was from the Southern California Institute of Architecture.

The Idea for LV Homes

In 1998, Rocio designed a special house for her parents. It was a vacation home in Laguna Verde, Chile. This house was the first version of her "LV homes." It was built using traditional methods. However, building it cost more than planned. This made Rocio realize something important. She could save money and make building easier by using "prefabrication."

What is Prefabrication?

Prefabrication means building parts of a house in a factory. Then, these parts are shipped to the building site. Rocio's idea was to use this method. She wanted to create modern, simple homes. These homes would use natural light and air. They would also have clean lines and balanced shapes. This way, the homes would be affordable. They could also be adjusted to fit local building rules.

The house in Chile was finished in 2000. It was even shown on the back cover of Dwell Magazine. Many people were interested in her design. But, companies in the United States were not ready to build her flat-roofed homes.

Building Her Own Business

After working for several design companies, Rocio moved to Missouri in 2001. She married Cale Bradford in 2002. In 2003, she decided to build her designs herself. The first house she built was 1150 square feet. It had a small kitchen, a living-dining area, and two bedrooms with bathrooms. This house became the model for her kit parts.

Rocio's design is clever. It needs only one inside wall for support. Other walls can be added if people want them. The houses are fully insulated. Even the glass windows are insulated. Gutters and other outside parts are hidden. They are placed behind smooth metal panels. This keeps the house looking sleek and modern.

What Comes in a Kit Home?

Rocio's kit includes many important parts. It has recycled steel wall panels. It also has pre-made posts and beams made from wood. The roof frame, tools, and instructions are also in the kit. The kits do not include windows or doors. You need to hire a local expert for some parts. This includes building the foundation, wiring, and plumbing. They also make sure the house meets local building rules.

How Rocio's Homes Are Made

Rocio works with other companies to make parts like the metal exteriors and steel frames. Then, she oversees putting all the parts together at her workshop. Once a month, she holds an "open house" at her farm in Perryville, Missouri. This lets people see the designs. It helps potential buyers and builders learn more.

Different Home Models

After her first LV home became popular, Rocio created new models.

• LVL (LV large): This model is 1450 square feet. It can have a third bedroom.
• LVM (mini-LV): This is a smaller home, about 650 square feet.
• LVL150: This structure is built to withstand hurricane winds.
• LVG (garage): A garage design.
• Base Camp: A mid-sized guest house, around 450 square feet.
• Fish Camp: A smaller guest house, about 312 square feet.

Karrie Jacobs, the editor from Dwell magazine, believes Rocio was the first to see the potential of prefabrication. She changed how architectural services are offered. By 2015, Rocio had sold 163 homes. These homes were built in 29 different states and 3 countries.

See also

In Spanish: Rocío García Romero para niños