When Hurricane Helene tore through Western North Carolina last fall, nearly 20,000 homes were left damaged. In the aftermath, Barry Bialik—founder of Compact Cottages and a longtime member of the Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains (BABRM)—began looking for new ways to help families rebuild.
His answer was the Origami Home, a bold vision for fast, affordable housing. Earlier this month, that vision reached a national stage when Compact Cottages unveiled the design on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., as part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Innovative Housing Showcase.
The Origami Home is a compact, prefabricated unit that folds flat for transport and then quickly expands into a fully livable space, Bialik said. With just a handful of components—including pre-assembled wall and bathroom sections—the 349-square-foot home can be move-in ready in about a week.
“If you had a piece of land, we can go from getting a building permit to you moving in in seven days,” Bialik told the Citizen-Times. (You can read the full article here. It is subscriber-only.)
Affordability is central to Bialik’s design. At just over $90,000, the Origami Home costs far less than the average one-bedroom housing unit in Asheville. It’s a model that makes homeownership more accessible—whether for first-time buyers, empty nesters looking to downsize, or families rebuilding after a disaster.
“Innovations like the Origami Home prove that affordability and quality don’t have to be at odds,” said Sarah Cosgrove, BABRM’s Advocacy and Engagement Director. “This type of housing gives families a chance to rebuild quickly and with dignity. It’s a model that can help people right here in Western North Carolina and also inspire change on a national level.”
But smart design is only part of the solution. Bialik has also been a strong advocate for policies that expand housing opportunities in Asheville and Hendersonville through zoning changes. Through his leadership with BABRM, he has advocated for zoning reforms that open the door to creative solutions like accessory dwelling units (ADUs), small-lot development, and more flexible use of “flag” lots.
Cosgrove points out that policy change is often the missing link between bold ideas and real-world impact.
“Advocacy is what clears the path for innovation,” Cosgrove said. “Without zoning reforms and supportive policies, projects like the Origami Home couldn’t get off the ground. By combining forward-thinking design with smarter regulations, we can create real opportunities for families to find housing that is both attainable and sustainable.”
Ready to Support Change? Join the Builders Association.
The Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains is proud to advocate for policies that build a stronger Western North Carolina and provide housing for people of all income levels. When you join BABRM, you add your voice to a powerful network working to protect and grow our local building industry. Let’s shape the future together. Join today.
