Corby + Benson

How do we want to live as we age?

FACT 30 – Active Project

Corby & Benson are the first two OurStory Small Houses currently under construction in Omaha’s historic Benson-Country Club community. Designed by FACT and led by Partners for Livable Omaha, the houses are being built in collaboration with Holy Name Housing and a range of consultants, subcontractors, and vendors.

OurStory Small Houses are prototype aging-ready homes for Omaha and beyond that seek affordability at the intersection of design, finance, and policy. The all-electric, space-efficient concept is rooted in universal design and features structural insulated panels (exterior walls and roof), heat pumps, and prefabricated components to reduce construction time, boost building energy efficiency, and realize affordability. Construction is made possible with a construction loan from Spark Capital, with additional support from Lozier Foundation, Pella Windows and Doors of Omaha and Lincoln, Sherwin Williams and Buildertrend.

In Fall 2024 FACT researched, designed, and documented the project producing a detailed set of construction documents for the first two variations, Corby & Benson. The project was featured in a public exhibition at Dundee Bank – Benson Branch in Omaha. In Spring 2025 FACT completed detailed design, construction documents, and will commence off-site fabrication. While off-site construction began in spring 2025, Corby & Benson broke ground on site in June 2025.

Visit the OurStory Small Houses webpage for detailed information of the housing system, its design and FACT’s process. Learn more at the website for the OurStory Small Houses Catalog (to be launched in 2026).

 

> This is an active project, check back periodically to see progress

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Benson House, recessed front porch, photomontage

Corby House, front elevation, photomontage

OurStory is a housing system based on dense infill developments in established neighborhoods with single-family houses. While affordable housing needs in urban communities benefit from multi-family complexes, or smaller “missing middle” housing types and the high density these types bring to a city, there are many communities where the single-family house and its variants are still relevant, or necessary. To achieve a “gentle” increase in density in a well-established historic neighborhood, FACT followed the City of Omaha’s PUR (Planned Unit Redevelopment) procedure to subside a vacant 4,770 square foot corner lot into two new properties of 3,000 s.f. and 1,770 s.f. While Corby House was already established and fit the larger property, the of Benson House design followed the limits of the very small 1,770 s.f. Lot to become the second house in the emerging catalog.

The PUR process involved a series of milestones, all were successful: preliminary site plan review by the Planning Department, neighborhood notification, Planning Board review and ultimately, unanimous approval by the Omaha City Council. A public exhibition in a Benson neighborhood gallery was part of our effort to communicate our goals and seek community input.

Corby + Benson site plan, Benson Neighborhood, Omaha

Corby House
802 s.f.
2 bedroom
1 bath
Open kitchen

2802 N 58 St Omaha NE 68104
3,000 s.f. Lot

The first Corby House is SOLD.

Corby House interior

Corby living space and kitchen

Bathroom (the same in both houses) and Corby main bedroom

Corby floor plan

Benson House
618 s.f.
1 bedroom
1 bath
Open kitchen

2806 N 58 St Omaha NE 68104
1,770 s.f. lot

The first Benson House is currently FOR SALE.

Benson House interior with modular storage unit including closet, TV console, and seating (other module configurations are available)

Benson kitchen with loft above

Benson bedroom with Murphy Bed and convertible desk/bench

Benson floor plan
Groundbreaking with Mayor Elect John Ewing and others distinguished guests, June 2, 2025

OurStory is published "above the fold" on groundbreaking day (note the Omaha Mobile Stage behind Paulina). See "Recognition" below for a link to the article

Working at Nebraska Innovation Studio

Fabricating "Storage Wall" components for Corby House

Prefabricated Storage Wall cabinet details

Formwork & utilities ready for the frost protected shallow foundations, October 2025

Placing concrete for the exposed slab floors, October 2025

Fabricating SIPs for Corby & Benson Houses

Site aerial, November 2025

OurStory Survey

Please take a few minutes to complete this anonymous survey to give your feedback on the OurStory house designs and our upcoming development project in the Benson neighborhood.

For more information on this project, visit www.livable.org

For questions, contact jessica@livable.org

FACT 30 Fall 2024 team, photograph by Craig Chandler, UNL

Project Team

students (Fall 2024 & Spring 2025):
Sreemedha Chintamadaka, Machelle Cooper, Malik Darwish, Oz Eckhorn, Nico Forte, Paulina Garcia, Luke Heidenreich, Riley Jarosz, Alex Martino, Michael Rieder, Gavin Stelling, Trent Weatherwax, Carl Williams

Spring 2025:
Isaac Alvarado, Devyn Beekman, Kael Jakub

OurStory Architectural Interns (2025-2026):
Oz Eckhorn, Carl Williams

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