Why is Tik Tok on Fire Over This Urban Commons House in Lake Highlands?

Urban Commons is the newest development from the brilliant Diane Cheatham, CEO of Urban Edge Developers Ltd. Her Urban Reserve project set a new standard for building in Dallas. Many people did not get it, but those who did, embraced it, and clamored for more. And Cheatham delivered. 

Urban Commons, like Urban Reserve, is entirely about progressive design. Cheatham invited award-winning architects and builders who think outside the box to create this sustainable community.

Urban Commons Community in Lake Highlands Is a Sophisticated Taste in Modern

One of the homes is getting a lot of attention — not for what it has, but for what it does not have. Who would have thought a lack of sheetrock would create a social media frenzy? 

That’s right, no sheetrock. Some might think there’s no insulation, so it’s got to be hot in the summer and cold in the winter. What about soundproofing? Does it smell like Home Depot’s lumber department? That is what has been trending on Reddit’s TikTok Cringe, a place to discuss some cringy takes on TikTok. As we have all experienced, social media is not a place for intellectual discourse.  

This is a joke right?
byu/n8saces inTikTokCringe

I decided to investigate this conundrum because Compass Realtor Thomas Rhodes clearly states in his listing information for 901 Blackland Court in Urban Commons that the no-sheetrock approach is intentional.

Notably, the home is purposefully built without sheetrock, emphasizing its avant-garde approach to design.

Thomas Rhodes-Compass

The 2,200-square-foot avant-garde home was designed by architect Scott Marek and built by Garrett Ratner of Ripple D + B. So, for our TikTok buffs, these two gentlemen are beyond smart and talented. They don’t slap stuff up just to generate buzz on social media platforms. Remember, Urban Commons is purposely designed to be different.

When Garrett came to us with the idea of exposing the framing from a construction standpoint, well, architects look at framing as the authentic self of the build, so we’ve always been interested in that.

Scott Marek

“You need to understand what is going on in this home,” the builder Ratner said. “The house is essentially wrapped in a thermal jacket. In fact, this is a superior and more costly way to insulate, which is why you seldom see it. Architects and builders understand what is happening here, but consumers are not used to seeing it.

“Go to a cabin in Colorado or Martha’s Vineyard, and you’ll see wood walls and ceilings. Remember sheetrock is just the cheapest way to put interior walls up. We did this to present a different look. It’s interesting. Think about it. If you want a shelf somewhere, you can add it!”

To clear up another misconception, the walls are not plywood. They are a product called OSB, which stands for oriented strand board. Have a close look. Do you see any pipes for plumbing, HVAC, or masses of electrical wires? No, of course not. All of that is hidden.

This house was planned for over a year, and it took almost two years to build. Everything was intentional and took a significant amount of thought. The entire home is also automated. There are commercial-grade windows and doors, and let’s focus on the millwork on the stairs.

“We had to do a lot more woodworking in this house,” Ratner said. “If you look closely at the stairwell, it required a significant amount of thought, investment, and time. We wanted a stairwell that basically hung from the ceiling. Spec homes are opportunities to do things that have not been done yet with a modest budget.”

“We are not building houses for the masses,” the developer Cheatham said. “We build for design-sensitive people. People will walk through, and it will be perfect for some and never do for someone else.” 

So, my TikTok folks, are you cool enough for a house without sheetrock? If so, reach out to Rhodes. He has this innovative Urban Commons home at 901 Blackland Court, listed for $724,900.