It’s a funny thing when you sell your house. You inevitably have mixed emotions of joy and sorrow. You’re happy you’ve sold, and a little sad since you have memories associated with your home. In our case, it’s a combination of both. While we have loved almost 4 years at Modular 4, it’s time to move on, and on March 1st we will when we head to a loft space downtown.

All of this comes to a singular point about this house, or really any house. In reality you never really own your house. You are in fact a caretaker of the property. This fact is even more true when you possess something unique, like a piece of art, a collectible car, a piece of jewelry or in this case architecture. I say this because at some point in time what you have will end up in someone else’s possession, and they will take on the responsibility of being caretaker. And so we pass the responsibility on to the new owners, as we move to take care of our next unique place to live.

I really like the concept of being a “caretaker” as opposed to “owner”. It has a completely different feel to it. It takes a position that says “I understand the uniqueness of what I have. I understand my responsibility to take care of, maintain, and pass on to someone else in the future.” By being a caretaker instead of an owner, it means you are willing to look toward the future, and understand that at some point you will give up stewardship. That another individual will take over, and hopefully do as good as, or a better job than you in the future.

Modular 4 is not a house designed and built by someone like Renzo Piano, or Frank Lloyd Wright, Neutra, or any other internationally famous architect. It is however, a one of a kind architect designed house, that might have been designed by a future internationally famous architect. More over it is a house that hopefully will be here in a hundred or so years, and will remain true to form no matter how many individuals care for it over time.

Modular 4 is part of an architectural record. A section of a living program with ties beyond its location, it’s inhabitants, the neighborhood, the University of Kansas, and so much more. It is an object that will never be owned, simply cared for until it changes hands again in the future.

Anyone that has ever lived in a space like this, or designed a house like this can relate to what I’m saying here. If you haven’t on either count, think about it. The concept of ownership vs caretaker is pretty simple and applies to so much.

Goodbye Modular 4 we leave you in good hands.

In case you are wondering, this blog will continue with this name, talking about the same stuff I’ve been talking about every day for almost 4 years.