In 2008 we’ve seen a number of small affordable modern house designs that all attempt to appeal to a more simple way of life.

There’s the Port-a-Bach from Atelier Workshop in New Zealand designed from a shipping container, and true to the original use of the box it is made to be compatible with those who need short-term housing in a particular location before “shipping off” to the next place.

There was the iPad (why doesn’t apple have a lock on that name?) by Andre Hodgskin, yet another New Zealand architect, a small multi-use design with sliding walls that allow the owner to change the size of rooms and the level of cohabitation with the outdoors.

There was also Modulome by Nottoscale, Tripod, Summertime, the Living Steel House, and a host of others.

But while some of these house designs enjoyed more commercial success than others, none of them alone were immediate “game changers” for the housing industry in the US.

There is absolutely no doubt that these designs or ideas contained in these ideas can be part of a new housing revolution, but before that happens it’s clear that more well-known mainstream architects will need to add to the pool of designs above, and companies like Modern Modular and a similar company (soon to be featured on Modern House Magazine) that give these designs a marketing and production face must increase in 2009 and beyond.