Imagine a house that’s not just a place to vacation but a dream home you’d want to own. Cozy, bathed in natural light, with a soaring gable ceiling, custom furniture that’s uniquely crafted, and a smart, modern design aesthetic that speaks to your taste. It’s a vision that Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia has in mind, but he’s not offering it as a rental; he wants to sell it to you. In fact, he envisions these houses becoming a common sight in backyards across California, and eventually, throughout the United States.
This ambitious project is the brainchild of Samara, the startup founded by Gebbia and former Flex CEO Mike McNamara. After years of meticulous design and planning, they’re ready to disrupt the housing market. Samara is betting that people are ready to order their dream homes online, with pre-assembled delivery and installation right on their property.
Gebbia is quick to point out the growing demand for these housing solutions. Multigenerational living, the rise of remote work, and homeowners’ desire for rental income are among the trends fueling this need. Drawing from the Airbnb playbook of simplicity and ease for consumers, Gebbia believes they can revolutionize the housing industry.
All photos – Samara
Technically, Samara is building ADUs, or accessory dwelling units. These can range from backyard cottages to casitas and in-law units that complement a homeowner’s primary residence. Samara’s goal is to mass-produce ADUs, simplifying the process for homeowners who want to add one to their property without the headaches of dealing with contractors or navigating the permitting process. Gebbia likens it to ordering a Tesla online – you customize it to your preferences, hit order, and it arrives at your doorstep.
Samara’s flagship product, known as “Backyard,” comes in sizes ranging from 420 to 690 square feet and costs between $269,000 and $369,000. The company quietly introduced these homes on its website, refining the process and gearing up for expansion with increased funding. By manufacturing ADUs in a controlled factory environment, Samara avoids weather-related delays and benefits from standardized materials and production costs, ultimately making it more cost-effective than traditional on-site construction.
The Backyard features a steel roof, engineered oak wood flooring, and an insulated steel structure. Its interior walls have a drywall-like finish, allowing residents to personalize their space just like a traditional home. It can be seamlessly integrated into the main residence’s electrical system or run independently on solar panels.
Looking ahead, Samara plans to tailor ADU designs for various regions and climates. Currently optimized for warm weather, they aim to create units suitable for hurricane-prone regions, expanding their market reach to places like Florida.
In essence, Samara is redefining homeownership, making it more accessible, convenient, and customizable than ever before. As Joe Gebbia puts it, they’re creating “small spaces with soul,” and that’s something many homeowners are eager to embrace. The Backyard revolution is here to stay, promising a brighter future for housing.
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Gary Fleisher, the Modcoach, author
