First, I have confirmed that I could have a 48 foot by 8 foot container shell, insulated, floors, walls, an aluminum skin, wired and with heat and air conditioning, placed in my yard for about US$14,000. I could have all sorts of exterior advertising signage to include some pretty nifty "wall paper" that I could individually create on a desktop computer and have shipped to me for about $300. per each side of the van. This "wall paper" comes in six colors and from pictures provided by the maker, is not a bad option - especially if combined by some 4x7 flat television screens that might give the outside of the "van" a reasonably modern look.
OR ---
The alternative to the van, I think is a Eugene maker of round wood houses, as per
<http://www.yurtworks.com/images/hostelley_4_402x281.jpg>
home page here
<http://www.yurtworks.com>
I visited this manufacturer today and can assure you the insides of their conference center models are absolutely beautiful - high cathedral ceiling, light and airy, and from a "sustainable" (tree hugging) idea. I could put one in of these (empty) in a parking lot, on a cement slab, for about $35,000. wired and ready for the equipment selected.
NOTE: I am convinced the interior would give a better "feel" than the "plain old 40 foot van idea". (But the exterior would not have the advertising, but maybe that's okay. So, I dither about the advantages of one vs the other - the round wood center is permanent, the van could be moved if the location "failed".
NEXT - EQUIPMENT INSIDE I was greatly, greatly intrigued by computer work stations as shown here: <http://www.mypce.com/> <http://www.mypce.com/products.html>
SO ----
The mental image of these PCE work stations being inside what some might argue to be a 21st century "play center/work center" is, for me,quite exciting....that is if one considers the enormous variety of "stuff" that could then be offered (Some of those images are enhanced by recent visits to some brand new Apple stores in big cities - have you guys seen those!) (Some of which images are enhanced by video labs and radio stations - who says these can't be community radio stations (for broadcast of content brought to it by kids?) or video labs where you teach how to do all that neat video transmission, cell phone, photography, Adobe, wireless, WiFi, et. etc. etc.) It seems to me that the interior "look" has a LOT to do with the long term viability of the undertaking. No?
ANYWAY....
I let my mind wander a bit further and could picture these units next to the nursery section of those "big box" retailers --- if they can sell stuff that grows in your garden, why can't we sell stuff that grows in your mind?
Since we talking about $100,000 for a round wood center, equipped, plus $30,000 a month to put well paid technologist/sales persons inside, the hard question still remains.. Who would pay? What measurable deliverables would be the result?
Thanks everyone. Your help has been wonderful.
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