Designed by TruForm Tiny, and called the Urban Park Max, this tiny home is really not very tiny. It challenges the notion of a tiny home by featuring a length of 38 feet, playfully teetering on the boundary of a tiny home and a full-sized house. The tiny home seems a bit difficult to tow, but its spaciousness does offer a living experience that is very much apartment-esque but on wheels. It is founded on a quad-axle trailer and has a sense of styling that is both contemporary and elegant – inside and out.
The Urban Park Max features an exterior dominated by metal, with some cedar accenting. Its noticeable size makes it one of the larger North American models out there, however, it certainly isn’t one of the largest. Tri-fold glass doors lead you to the home, and they also open up to the outdoors. Generous glazing allows natural light to stream into the home, creating a lovely light-filled space. You are welcomed into an open-plan living area equipped with a L-shaped sofa. Near the sofa is a dining table, as well as a kitchen equipped with a washer/dryer, oven with a propane-powered three-burner stove, a sink, fridge/freezer, cabinetry, and some shelving.
The bathroom isn’t extravagant, but it features a vanity sink with cabinetry, a flushing toilet, and a shower. The opposite end of the home houses the master bedroom. The bedroom contains a king-sized bed and loads of storage space. Since it is located on the lower level, there is sufficient space to stand upright and move around, without banging your head to the ceiling.
The tiny home also includes a secondary bedroom intended for guests. It is located on the upper floor, and you can access it via a storage-integrated staircase. This bedroom is a conventional loft-style bedroom as seen in tiny homes, marked by a low ceiling and a double bed. There is a separate section that could work well as a home office, reading nook, or even a storage are. The Urban Park Max’s price starts at around US$187,000.
Designed by Portugal’s Madeiguincho, the Brava is a wonderful specimen of timber expertise and woodworking. It is a compact and well-designed home with a space-saving layout that fits two people into a home that simply measures 12 square meters. Brava is one of Madeiguincho’s latest models, and it truly captures the company’s expertise and talent with woodwork. It was founded by a family of carpenters, and over the years of experience is perfectly reflected in Brava.
The Brava tiny home is located on a lovely spot on a farm in the Portuguese courtyside. This home functions as a peaceful retreat for an artist and her daughter. The home measures five meters in length, making it quite compact in comparison to other North American models. The tiny home has a pleasant finishing of wood, and it features a porch area which can extend the living space a bit. This area includes a table and chairs, as well as some storage, which lets the residents eat outdoors. The interior can be entered via double glass doors, and it features a rustic and subtle decor. Plywood finish and distressed furniture work together to highlight the farm location well.
The ground floor includes a raised double bed, and it serves as a bedroom and day bed, as there is no other seating placed in the space. The room has space constraints, and hence certain compromises had to be made. The bed also includes integrated storage space. The kitchen is located closely, and it includes a sink, cabinetry and basic cooking facilities.
The kitchen of the tiny home is also connected to the bathroom, which includes a toilet, sink and shower. All these facilities are positioned on the main level. Brava also includes one loft-style bedroom, and you can access it via a storage-integrated staircase. The bedroom is like most bedrooms seen in tiny homes, and it features a low ceiling as well as a double bed. Currently, we have no idea on how Brava is priced.
Dubbed Moca, which is an abbreviation for Mobile Catalyst, this little mobile home was constructed by the students and researchers at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia. The home was built in Barcelona utilizing wood collected from the Collserola Natural Park. This two-person dwelling is perched on a trailer, and it can be easily and efficiently transported via car. The mobile home is built using cross-laminated timber, and it is powered by solar energy.
“The challenge was to manufacture a mobile home with wood, using the materials and tools that we have at Valldaura Labs so that it met the requirements of a mobile construction at a regulatory and functional level,” said MAEBB co-director Vicente Guallart.
The mobile dwelling was designed by students and researchers of the Masters in Advanced Ecological Buildings and Biocities (MAEBB) course at IAAC. This thoughtful design promotes and encourages the study of ecological design through the use of live projects. It was constructed at the IAAC’s Valladura Labs, which is located in the Collserola Natural Park.
Moca is designed to be a flexible and free-flowing living space. It is an open space that can be adapted to a section for living, dining, sleeping, or events as well! The dwelling features timber-framed screens that are shrouded with white fabrics, allowing the room to be open. Behind these screens, there are glass doors that offer better control of privacy, and the home’s connection to the outdoors.
“The folding panels allow multiple open-closed configurations on one or both sides, depending on the landscape in which it is inserted, be it a forest, a beach, or an urban environment,” said Guallard. “The fabric allows for control of solar radiation and has very little weight, which was a fundamental issue due to the limit allowed for driving on the road,” he continued.
The main central space is surrounded by two rooms on either side. These rooms have been named “toolboxes”. These rooms function as storage areas, and they hold utilities. They help in changing the function and utility of the main room, as and when needed. The home was built using CLT panels which were created by the students themselves. These thin panels keep the structure’s weight below the maximum weight allowed for mobile homes.
Designed by Argentinian architect Mariano Ravenna, this unique tiny home includes a series of individual white concrete volumes. Dubbed the SF-FR House, the dynamic little house was customized according to the owner’s needs, since the family includes two adults with children from previous relationships. The aim was to create a comfortable environment where everyone feels at home, forming a refreshing manner in which individuals live together and interact with each other.
Designer: Mariano Ravenna
“The project proposes housing the different human dimensions and coming together in those common spaces that every home needs or in moving from one environment to another, with diverse routes that can lead to an encounter with the other or go in search of individuality,” said Mariano Ravenna. “And so different people can live together in the same physical space, choosing with whom, when, and how to be with the other.”
The SF-FR House is a pretty unique one since it comprises four separate cubic modules which are connected via a walkway and an exterior courtyard. The home has an interior space of 603 square feet, and it truly is a novel approach to micro-living. Space planning, material selection, and lighting solutions were paid close attention to, creating a home that is cohesive and comfortable.
Three of the modules are placed on the ground floor in a circular formation. The fourth concrete module is placed atop these three modules, creating a geometrically fascinating form. The home is segregated into various zones with different uses. The first two modules serve as the living and dining room, and they lead to the surrounding courtyard. The third and fourth modules can be utilized as bedrooms and a bathroom. The raised structure can be entered through an exterior metal spiral staircase, and it is connected to an outdoor terrace that offers views across the valley.
Massive windows have been placed throughout the home to allow natural light inside, while also providing access to lovely views of the landscape. The property also includes a large courtyard which functions as a buffer between the different modules. It also provides privacy and lets natural light and ventilation stream through the home. The SF-FR House was designed to cater to the needs and preferences of the different residents, while also creating a cohesive feeling of belonging and community. It allows the residents to have their own space while ensuring they feel safe and secure in their living space.
Dubbed the Vertika Nydalen – this impressive high-rise is Snøhetta’s recently completed project. Located in Norway, this energy-efficient high-rise is truly one-of-a-kind! The studio merged an ingenious design with sustainable features to form a high rise that maintains a comfy temperature throughout the year, without the need for any grid-based power.
The Vertikal Nydalen features an asymmetrical shape, and it includes two connected towers. The towers were selected to protect views for the neighbors, thereby leaving no nearby plaza in the shade. The exterior of the structure is finished in pine, and with age, the pine will convert from brown to grey. The building is marked with jutting steel balconies, which contrast perfectly with the warm and raw wood. The interior of the Vertikal Nydalen includes restaurants on the ground floor, with an office space above, and around forty apartments on the upper stories.
The high-rise doesn’t need any grid-based power to cool or heat the interior. It doesn’t even need it to ventilate the interiors, but grid-based power is used for lighting. To ensure a comfortable temperature is maintained, the studio used a “triple zero solution”, which basically uses geothermal wells buried in the ground. The wells circulate water through the high-rise’s clay walls and concrete slabs, whenever it needs to be cooled or heated. The roof contains solar panels which run a heat pump, which also contributes to the heating and cooling system.
A generous amount of glazing has been incorporated throughout the structure to maximize natural light inside. No fans are included, instead large vents have been placed, which open automatically when the need arises. The angled walls have been constructed to keep the interiors well-ventilated.d
“As traditional ventilation systems in office buildings often require a lowered ceiling of up to one meter from the slab, this natural solution without ducts and fans saves a lot of space – space that is better used for light and openness, and that can drastically enhance the spatial qualities of the rooms,” said the studio. “The angled facade is designed to create pressure differences that enable air to move through the building. The air enters through valves in the facade, which open and close as needed. When two windows open on different sides of the building, the pressure difference forces the air to move through the premises, so the air circulates.”
In the ever-evolving landscape of product design, from ideation to realization, 3D printing technology is revolutionizing contemporary design practices. 3D printing technology employs computer-aided design (CAD) and fabricates objects layer by layer. Commonly used in manufacturing, automotive industries, and industrial product design for creating tools, parts, and prototypes, this process, also known as additive manufacturing, layers materials like plastics, composites, or bio-materials to produce objects of varying shapes, sizes, rigidity, and color.
The commonly selected 3D printing technologies include Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Stereolithography (SLA), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), PolyJet, and Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS). XiP is an advanced resin 3D printer by Nexa3D, offering professional-grade printing at speeds 6 times faster than SLA printers and over 10 times faster than filament 3D printers. With a 4.8L build volume and a 9.3″ 4K Monochrome LCD, it delivers crisp details. Its compact desktop design houses industrial LSPc technology, ensuring stability with a billet aluminum enclosure and precision ball screw Z-axis platform. The printer supports a wide range of resins, including proprietary formulations for diverse applications, all dispensed through smart recyclable cartridges.
What are the benefits of 3D Printing?
• Reduces Costs:
3D printing offers significant cost advantages over traditional manufacturing methods due to its automation, resulting in reduced labor expenses. Moreover, its minimal waste production leads to lower material costs.
• Produces Complex Designs
3D printing exceeds the design constraints of traditional manufacturing, enabling the creation of intricate designs, including square or circular punctures or abstract designs with fewer restrictions.
• Promotes Internal Manufacturing
3D printers enable rapid prototyping, eliminating the need for outsourcing. This accelerates the design and production of new products, enhancing overall efficiency.
• Rapid Prototyping
3D printing enables the production of designs that were previously impossible with conventional manufacturing methods. By transforming digital files into physical parts within hours, this technology allows companies to adopt an on-demand manufacturing model for parts. 3D printing offers a comprehensive solution, facilitating prototyping, and short-run production, thereby transforming every aspect of businesses.
• Minimizes Waste
Traditional manufacturing generates substantial material waste due to inefficiencies while additive manufacturing minimizes waste by precisely utilizing materials, only using what’s necessary for each product or part. This is a great way to reduce material costs and improve environmental sustainability for companies.
• Manufactures Diverse Products
Industries across the board are leveraging 3D printing for a diverse range of products. From consumer goods like eyewear and furniture to industrial tools and automotive parts, technology is reshaping manufacturing. It’s also vital in healthcare for prosthetics and orthotics alongside architectural models. Additionally, the film industry benefits from 3D printing for creating intricate props.
Top 10 Examples of 3D Printing in Product Design
Here are Top Ten examples of how 3D printing is used in product design across various product types:
Acclaimed Australian designer Julia Koerner merges nature and computer algorithms with 3D printing and innovative resin-based techniques to create her award-winning handbag collection, resulting in visually lightweight yet rigid designs with a distinctive skeletal aesthetic. Inspired by the organic shapes of dried kelp found along the Pacific coastline, Koerner’s KELP MINI handbag seamlessly blends artistry with functionality. Each meticulously crafted handbag is created with sustainable plant-based materials and solar-powered manufacturing, offering clever design elements like hinged bases and snap closures, making them ideal for storing essentials with style and efficiency.
MYCO-ALGA presents a groundbreaking interior tiling solution that transforms bathroom aesthetics. These 3D-printed tiles are crafted from repurposed natural waste and living organisms, featuring captivating designs inspired by organic forms. Sustainable at every stage, MYCO-ALGA tiles undergo a precise process encompassing digital design, 3D printing, organism cultivation, and bio-pigment enrichment. As a result, the outcome is eye-catching tiles with unique, non-repeating patterns resembling crawling organisms, that offer both lightweight durability and visual allure that effortlessly merge style with sustainability.
Barcelona-based company introduces Pure Plants, 3D-printed sculptures doubling as air purifiers. Utilizing Pure.Tech technology efficiently absorbs and neutralizes indoor pollutants like carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide. Mimicking plant structures with geometric patterns, these sculptures enhance decor while promoting healthier indoor air quality. Crafted from sustainable Pure.Tech biomaterial and PLA bioplastic derived from corn dextrose integrate aesthetics with eco-consciousness.
EXPLR 02 is a futuristic 3D-printed shoe blending wireframe-inspired aesthetics with organic elements. Crafted with advanced techniques, it epitomizes modern manufacturing’s versatility. While challenging footwear norms, questions linger about real-world durability. Yet, EXPLR 02 signifies a leap in innovative, personalized shoe designs, shaping the evolution of 3D-printed footwear.
The 3D-printed Hula table lamp, envisioned by Felix Pöttinger, ingeniously merges direct and indirect lighting to efficiently illuminate spaces, tackling urban living challenges by minimizing glare. Its ring-shaped shade, reminiscent of a hula hoop, is available in Snow, Forest, and Blossom Pink, adding a distinct flair to any setting.
The University of Virginia research team has developed an innovative 3D printing method using soil infused with seeds to create plant-covered structures like walls and roofs. The team’s eco-friendly approach integrates greenery into architecture, providing natural insulation, flood prevention, and green spaces. By minimizing materials and utilizing locally sourced resources, their process reduces emissions and waste. With plans to expand their prototypes and improve their soil ink formula, the team aims to contribute to carbon-neutral construction.
Architecture is no exception in the age of ubiquitous 3D printing, with many firms favoring this method for building structures. Cement company Progreso recently collaborated with COBOD to construct Guatemala’s first 3D-printed building to withstand seismic activity. This compact home, completed in just over 24 hours, merges modern construction techniques with traditional craftsmanship, featuring organic-shaped walls and a traditional palm leaf roof. With a footprint of 527 square feet, the structure operates as a fully functional living space capable of withstanding extreme seismic events.
Oeschler’s new manufacturing technique, demonstrated in Johannes Steinbauer’s Office for Design’s 3D-printed seats, eliminates traditional materials while maintaining comfort and functionality. 3D printing is reshaping furniture design and manufacturing, introducing innovation in sustainability and functionality. With a simple yet versatile design, these chairs offer easy assembly and recyclability, signaling a promising future for 3D-printed furniture in the industry.
Wood is a preferred choice for its eco-friendliness, yet shaping and recycling pose challenges. Enter 3D-printed wooden partition screens and window coverings, offering a breakthrough solution. While 3D printing democratizes design, it also increases material waste, prompting a search for sustainable options. Crafted from wood waste and fortified with natural elements, this innovative material resembles wood in appearance, texture, and scent. Moreover, its circular lifecycle allows for recycling into new forms, minimizing waste. Despite potential production cost concerns, its promise for intricate designs and sustainability makes it attractive for environmentally conscious designers.
10. Homeware
Crafted by Vienna-based designer Nicolas Gold, renowned for his expertise in “Tiny Furniture,” this collection employs 3D printing. The range comprises vases, bowls, planters, and lighting, all crafted from lightweight, recyclable bioplastic sourced from corn. This blend of architectural precision and modern technology results in sophisticated homeware where design, architecture, and 3D printing harmonize seamlessly. The Tiny Architecture collection showcases intricate patterns such as the asymmetrical Bloz and fabric-like Fald, crafted from partially recycled materials to enhance their individuality.
Designed by architecture practice HCCH Studio, this shell-like brick pavilion in Longyou Country, China is truly a unique sight to behold. The structure is inspired by its agricultural surroundings and is dubbed the Twisted Brick Shell Library (quite accurately). The rustic pavilion is located on farmland, with the Quijiang River running between it and the city of Quzhou. The structure is designed to be a multifunctional space – a peaceful place where visitors can read, relax, or simply gaze at their surroundings.
“[It is] an abstract, revolving space to cuddle visitors in the wide-open field like a spiritual shelter,” said HCCH Studio founder Hao Chen. “The function is an installation to arouse visitors’ awareness of reading and its surroundings,” he added. Besides serving as a space to read and rest, the Twisted Brick Library is also designed to represent its surreal position between urban and rural settings. The Twisted Brick Library comprises two brick-hemispheres which are linked via a twisting section of wall. The wall is made from perforated steel plates, and concrete cast in situ. The concrete almost looks like mortar between the bricks, and resembles typical brick buildings seen in the town located closely to the pavilion.
“The structure is in a semi-rural area very close to a town,” said Chen. “You can strongly feel the approaching of urbanisation on this seemingly still idyllic area. That’s why we propose a semi-fabricated, semi-handmade way of construction, to reflect this reality,” he continued. The interior of the pavilion is lined with 24 small acrylic domes which have been integrated at eye level. Each dome features ‘visual poetry’ by Japanese artist Yoichiro Otani, and you’re supposed to read the work with the landscape as a lovely backdrop.
Slim, concrete-framed openings are placed beneath the dome, and they provide views of the landscape. Below the openings is a brick bench which offers seating. The Twisted Brick Shell Library not only functions as a multipurpose space for tourists and locals, but it also hosts reading workshops by artist Shaomin Shen.
Automotive giants have been dipping their toes into the world of luxury high-rises, resulting in fascinating skyscrapers that are truly one-of-a-kind. Aston Martin, Mercedes-Benz, and Bugatti have all been competing with one another to make their mark in the real estate world, and profit from those big bucks. And recently the Aston Martin Residences Miami was unveiled – a truly exceptional sail-shaped skyscraper. The skyscraper was first announced in 2016 and was supposed to be completed in 2021. It is the automaker’s first completed real estate project!
Designer: Aston Martin, Bodas Mian Anger & G&G Business Development
The Aston Martin Residences Miami is located at 300 Biscayne Boulevard Way, positioned near the Miami River. It has an imposing height of 817 feet, fortifying its place as an impressive tower, and making it USA’s tallest residential building south of New York City. The skyscraper was designed by Aston Martin’s design team in collaboration with architect Rodolfo Miani of Bodas Mian Anger, and G&G Business Development. The tower brings to mind the image of Burj Al Arab, and it has a unique form that instantly grabs eyeballs. It features a steel and sail-like glass exterior, paying tribute to its marina location. An impressive curvilinear shape is teamed up with a massive terrace with an infinity pool near the top.
“Spanning four full levels between the building’s 52nd and 55th floors – all interconnected by a monumental and striking glass staircase – standout amenities consist of a two-floor fitness center with views of the awe-inspiring Atlantic Ocean, an art gallery, two movie theaters, a virtual golf simulator, business center, and conference room, kids playroom, as well as a full-service spa, beauty salon, and barber shop,” says Aston Martin’s press release.
The interiors of the Aston Martin Residences Miami are highlighted with the automaker’s design language, which is conveyed through motifs and various additions such as keyless doors in Kestrel tan leather, commanding door handles, and carbon fiber reception desk areas. The tower includes 66 floors and 391 luxury residential units.
The luxurious units include one to five-bedroom apartments, various lavish penthouses, and an ultra-exclusive “Unique Triplex Penthouse” which spans over three floors and occupies 2526 square meters. There is a lovely selection of colors and furnishings to choose from. There are also different amenities such as a private butler service, art gallery, spa, and more.
Portugal’s Madeiguinco designed its latest tiny home offering – the Pego. In a world where tiny homes reign supreme, it is tough to create one that truly stands out, but by fostering woodworking expertise and building timber dwellings, Madeguincho managed to offer us something new and refreshing. The Pego is a compact tiny home that is designed to accompany you on your adventures into the wild with the help of a solar panel setup. The tiny home is pretty small and compact, but you shouldn’t judge the dwelling by its size, because it does pack a punch with its functionality and utility.
The Pego tiny home features a length of 16 feet, which is quite small for a European tiny home. Based on a double-axle trailer and finished in wood, the home perfectly presents the firm’s wonderful craftsmanship. The home is finished in wood both inside and outside, and the craftsmanship is reflected in the shutters on the windows, and in the doors that close up the house. The home is topped with solar panels, which keep it powered up, irrespective of where it is placed. The tiny home also has a standard RV-style hookup.
You can enter the home via double glass doors. The floor space is mostly taken up by a combined living room/kitchen area. This includes a massive L-shaped sofa with integrated storage, a sink, cabinetry, an electric cooktop, and storage space. The space also includes a mini wood-burning stove, much like the ones you use while camping in a tent.
The ground floor of the Pego tiny home includes a bathroom that is equipped with a shower, sink, and toilet. The bathroom features a secondary door that offers access to the outdoors, which is quite an unusual feature. The tiny home is amped with only one bedroom which can be accessed using a fixed wooden ladder. The bedroom room has a typical tiny home loft-style setup, partnered up with a low ceiling. There is sufficient space for a double bed.
If you’re looking for a cozy cabin to escape to and simply relax, then you’ve reached the right place. Cabins are by far the best type of vacation I’ve come across. They’re a peaceful and tranquil option to abandon your urban life and woes, and simply unwind in nature. I love cabins, they’re the perfect safe haven nestled in the midst of nature, providing you a break from your everyday hectic life. And if you’re seeking your next cabin vacation destination then you may want to have a look at the Yimura Cabins.
Designed in collaboration between Compact Housing and Studio Sluijzer, the Yiruma cabins are designed to be a stunning tribute to sophisticated aesthetics and the beauty of natural elements. The cabins perfectly integrate classy looks with the tranquility and simplicity of nature. The cabins are named after the Korean word for peace – Yiruma. And these idyllic cabins are truly the embodiment of peace and calm. They allow visitors to completely immerse themselves in nature while feeling comfortable and cozy in a luxurious room with all the amenities one could need.
The Yiruma cabins have been designed, created, and planned with immense attention to detail. The quaint structures have been meticulously designed, allowing them to blend harmoniously with their surroundings, building an ambiance and aura that is calm and peaceful. The cabins are ideal for some relaxation and rejuvenation. They’ve been equipped with big windows that create a serene connection to nature, allowing the outdoors to come inside, but without having to compromise on comfort and luxury.
The cabins are fully prefabricated and they can be delivered without any issue or hassle. They’ve been built using natural materials, and the maximation of sunlight was one of the core focuses of the cabins. The interiors are warm and charming, with the presence of wood and other natural materials creating an environment that feels raw and rustic, yet contemporary. Shades of browns, whites, and beiges, as well as other neutral colors, are the chosen color palette of the cabins, which help in creating a gentle and peaceful atmosphere.
