Tag Archives: Prefab

Top 10 prefab architectural designs of 2022

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Prefabricated architecture has been gaining a lot of popularity and momentum in 2022! It basically involves making buildings or building various components at a particular location, one that is better suited for construction, and then once completed, transporting it to the final site or location. Prefab architectural designs have a multitude of benefits – they keep costs down, ensure projects are more sustainable and efficient, and they also prioritize and pay attention to simplicity and modularity. And we have curated a collection of our favorite prefabricated designs for you – from a prefab tiny home that is a smart mobile unit designed to help you escape city life to the Tesla of prefab homes– these prefabricated designs are a part of an integral growing trend in modern architecture, and could be the future of it in 2023!

1. Coodo

A couple of years ago, German entrepreneur Mark Dare Schmiedel got pretty fed up with the chaos of Berlin and decided to move to the countryside, building his own quaint loft along the banks of the River Spree. The peace, calm, and zen that followed, got him wondering whether it would be possible to create a similar, but a mobile form of home, that could provide the same sanctuary to others. In his quest for such a retreat, he came across a mobile home concept designed by a group of Slovenian architects called ‘Coodo’. Schmiedel went on to procure the design rights of the concept, through his company LTG (Lofts to Go) and kickstarted the production of the units. The modular homes aim to bring you closer to nature, to a space away from the crowds, where you can truly enjoy the beauty of a moment.

Why is it noteworthy?

It features a curved and minimal steel frame with rounded edges and stunning floor-to-ceiling glass walls. The beautiful glass walls allow a generous stream of sunlight to enter the home. Whether on rooftops in the city, on beaches, on mountains, or alongside a river, the Coodo can be easily installed almost anywhere.

What we like

  • Integrated utilization of smart home technology.
  • Adherence to Passive House standards.

What we dislike

  • With its focus on natural settings, we wish there was a way to enclose the open patio space to close up when away from the home

2. OM-1

Don’t you just wish sometimes that you could “build” a house online and then order it just the way you like it? Well, now you actually can to some extent as a company called Dimensions X is aiming to be the Tesla of prefabricated homes. Plus, just like the environmentally friendly car company whose model they are following, the houses they will be offering homes that are energy efficient and will offer less carbon footprint.

Why is it noteworthy?

Australian entrepreneur Oscar Martin partnered with architect Peter Stutchbury to create a company that can offer people their prefabricated homes with a few clicks on their website. The process isn’t yet as simple as ordering a Tesla but they do have an online configurator that will tell you how much it will cost you as soon as you build your prefab home and make certain changes to it. There are modules and elements that you can modify to make it your own.

What we like

  • An energy-efficient home with a small carbon footprint
  • You can choose things like the length and size of the entire house as well as placements of doors and windows, finishes, orientations, and other elements that you can personalize

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

3. Koto Design x Adobu’s prefab home

Based in the English seaside village of Westward Ho!, the architecture studio Koto Design captures the mellow vibe of a day spent at the seashore and translates it into a home space. Inspired by Scandinavian simplicity and Japanese minimalism, the result comes through breezy, open floor layouts and organic building materials.

Why is it noteworthy?

The architecture studio is known for its extensive catalog of sustainable, prefabricated tiny homes that can be transported to locations across the globe. In a recent collaboration with the USA-based, backyard home-building company Adobu, the two studios worked together to construct a tiny, prefabricated home that marries Scandinavian design with a Californian twist.

What we like

  • Provides a semi-outdoor lifestyle
  • Is carbon-neutral, and provides off-grid capabilities

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

4. The Nokken Cabin

Called the Nokken Cabin, these prefab cabins can be purchased by anyone, but the designer duo has bigger plans for them. They want clusters of them to be placed in beautiful and remote locations to create “landscape hotels”, that can provide a luxurious glamping experience. You would be able to connect with nature and unwind, but in a comfortable and cozy space – without having to roughen it out basically.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Nokken Cabin was created for the purpose of expansion and was meant to be a pretty flexible structure. It can be used as a travel accommodation, a workspace, a retail element, a spa, a restaurant, or even as a simple home.

What we like

  • A beautiful picture window in front of the bed provides surreal views of the landscape.

What we dislike

  • While we love the minimal black structure, would be great if there was an optional open space/terrace space to better appreciate the surroundings

5. Rock Cabins

Nestled in the heart of Csóromfölde, Hungary is six stunning polygonal cabins called ‘Rock Cabins’. Designed and constructed by architectural firm Hello Wood in collaboration with TreeHouses, the brains, and brawn behind the immensely popular cabins in Noszvaj, the cabins have an almost mystical and mysterious appeal to them! Each cozy cabin accommodates two people, making it the ultimate romantic getaway.

Why is it noteworthy?

Quite interestingly, the cabins are inspired by the shape of rocks. The intention behind these raw and real cabins was to create something that would harmoniously blend with nature, functioning as a natural extension of it. The cabin’s rock-like aesthetic helps it to effortlessly merge with the natural landscape surrounding it.

What we like

  • Creates job opportunities for the local people, thereby boosting the local economy
  • Attracts tourists

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

6. CABN.CO

Today, more and more people are veering towards homes that are green and energy-efficient. Words like net zero, prefab, and Passive House standard are thrown like confetti while describing their dream home! In an age, where sustainable architecture is thriving more than ever, CABN.CO by Jackson Wyatt is a much-welcomed upcoming project.

Why is it noteworthy?

CABN.CO is on a mission to build energy-efficient and smart homes that can be placed in unique and diverse locations all over the world. These versatile cabins can be a home for you almost anywhere in the world – whether in the city or on a remote island in the Bahamas! These cabins focus heavily on solar shading and roof overhangs.

What we like

  • Energy-efficient
  • Equipped with smart technology

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

7. The Folding Dream House

Michael Jantzen, a multidisciplinary artist based in New Mexico, is one artist who seems endlessly inspired by geometry. Merging sustainability, architecture, and technology, Jantzen developed an adaptable modern home called The Folding Dream House that expands from an enclosed, cubic structure into a multi-layered, dream home.

Why is it noteworthy?

From its initial conception, the Folding Dream House was designed as a place to sleep. Amounting to the size of a conventional hotel room, the Folding Dream House consists of two prefabricated, portable modules. Each rectangular module is envisioned mounted atop an elevated, triangular foundation that connects the home’s expandable support beams to its frame. On each facade of the Folding Dream House, Jantzen envisioned triangular overhangs and partitions as foldable panels that expand from the home’s frame.

What we like

  • The panels can be folded open or closed in many different ways around the modules in order to accommodate various functional and/or aesthetic requirements

What we dislike

  • It’s still in the conceptual phase!

8. Lushna Cabins

Slovenian company Lushna builds tiny triangular cabins that function as the perfect nature retreat while providing you with the comfort and shelter of a modern cabin. These micro-cabins were designed to create the warmth of old-fashioned camping trips without compromising on comfort and much-required necessities.

Why is it noteworthy?

They quite literally function as bedrooms in nature, with an impressive wall glass opening that allows sunlight to generously stream in through the day, making the cabin feel quite open and spacious. Movable beds and shades provide flexibility and privacy. They are built from pine wood or durable massive larch.

What we like

  • The cabins are manufactured off-site and have concrete-free foundations, hence transporting them from one location to another is extremely easy.

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

9. Azure’s ADUs

Azure, essentially specializes in ADUs or Accessory Dwelling Units, which are usually placed next to the main residence, or in the backyard of a home. Azure creates several models of these ADUs – from backyard office studios to a two-bedroom tiny home. The structures are modern and futuristic, amped with glass walls, recessed lighting, and pocket doors, providing them with the feel of a complete home.

Why is it noteworthy?

Within 20 hours, Azure 3D prints the homes – including their structural skeleton, exterior sheathing, water control barrier, exterior finish, utility passageways, and the grounding for interior finishes.

What we like

  • Over 60% of Azure’s printing material will comprise a waterproof plastic polymer, which is usually found in plastic bottles or food packaging.

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

10. iHouse

Montevideo-based architecture firm iHouse constructs prefabricated homes using the latest dry construction methods currently trending on the international stage. With only 70 days to build a home for Conrado, an Uruguayan living in London, on his family’s property in Colonia, iHouse was well-equipped to take on the project. Formed by the merging of two modules, Casa ZGZ was constructed offsite and then installed on the family’s property in just five days.

Why is it noteworthy?

As Colonia is one of Uruguay’s oldest towns, the team behind Casa ZGZ hoped to maintain the spirit of the region’s historical architecture while contemporizing the cabin to accommodate modern needs. The single-level residence is clad in black in an effort to present hide the home in plain sight amongst the many elements of nature that surround it. The black exterior also warms up the home’s wooden interior, which is paneled with wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

What we like

  • Minimizing the home’s impact on the region’s environment and land, Casa ZGZ was constructed offsite in two modules
  • Coexists in harmony with a space alien to its language

What we dislike

  • It could have been equipped with another story

The post Top 10 prefab architectural designs of 2022 first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 prefab homes for advocates of sustainable architecture

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Prefabricated architecture is a trending term that many of us have come across, but why is it becoming so popular? Prefabrication or prefab involves making buildings or building various components at one location (that is better suited for construction), and once completed, the entire structure is transported it to the final site or location. Prefab architectural designs have a multitude of benefits – they keep costs down, ensure projects are more sustainable and efficient (as the raw materials can be stored in one place), while prioritizing modularity. Imagine a scenario where you can almost mix and match various sections of your home but without the hassle of having the construction work (the noise and the dust!) in your backyard. Its a win-win scenario for the manufacturers as well as the users.

There are 3 types of prefab homes currently in the market – first are the manufactured homes which require a professional crew to assemble the structure at your place. Second are the Kit Homes, which as the name suggests, are kits that can be assembled (almost like a DIY process) by the user themselves and the third is a modular structure, where the manufacturer lets you select individual components of your home to deliver a more personalised home for you. Given the lower labour requirements and the lesser chances of the weather, shipping delays or other unavoidable circumstances delaying your building plans, prefab homes have come as a solution for those who want a quicker home assembly with more durability. And for all those who had this question – yes they do need a foundation and go into the ground of the site you want to live on.

To show you the diversity of prefab homes, we have curated a collection of our favorite designs for you – from a prefab tiny home that is a smart mobile unit to Slovenian triangular cabins that are great for glamping– these designs are a part of an integral growing trend in modern architecture and could be the future of it as well!

1. Coodo

A couple of years ago, German entrepreneur Mark Dare Schmiedel got pretty fed up with the chaos of Berlin and decided to move to the countryside, building his own quaint loft along the banks of the River Spree. The peace, calm, and zen that followed, got him wondering whether it would be possible to create a similar, but a mobile form of home, that could provide the same sanctuary to others. In his quest for such a retreat, he came across a mobile home concept designed by a group of Slovenian architects called ‘Coodo’. Schmiedel went on to procure the design rights of the concept, through his company LTG (Lofts to Go) and kickstarted the production of the units. The modular homes aim to bring you closer to nature, to a space away from the crowds, where you can truly enjoy the beauty of a moment.

Why is it noteworthy?

It features a curved and minimal steel frame with rounded edges and stunning floor-to-ceiling glass walls. The beautiful glass walls allow a generous stream of sunlight to enter the home. Whether on rooftops in the city, beaches, mountains, or alongside a river, the Coodo can be easily installed almost anywhere.

What we like

  • Integrated utilization of smart home technology.
  • Adherence to Passive House standards.

What we dislike

  • With its focus on natural settings, we wish there was a way to enclose the open patio space to close up when away from the home.

2. The Nokken Cabin

Called the Nokken Cabin, these prefab cabins can be purchased by anyone, but the designer duo has bigger plans for them. They want clusters of them to be placed in beautiful and remote locations to create “landscape hotels”, that can provide a luxurious glamping experience. You would be able to connect with nature and unwind, but in a comfortable and cozy space – without having to roughen it out basically.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Nokken Cabin was created for the purpose of expansion and was meant to be a pretty flexible structure. It can be used as a travel accommodation, a workspace, a retail element, a spa, a restaurant, or even as a simple home.

What we like

  • A beautiful picture window in front of the bed provides surreal views of the landscape.

What we dislike

  • While we love the minimal black structure, would be great if there was an optional open space/terrace space to better appreciate the surroundings.

3. Lushna Cabins

Slovenian company Lushna builds tiny triangular cabins that function as the perfect nature retreat while providing you with the comfort and shelter of a modern cabin. These micro-cabins were designed to create the warmth of old-fashioned camping trips without compromising on comfort and much-required necessities.

Why is it noteworthy?

They quite literally function as bedrooms in nature, with an impressive wall glass opening that allows sunlight to generously stream in through the day, making the cabin feel quite open and spacious. Movable beds and shades provide flexibility and privacy. They are built from pine wood or durable massive larch.

What we like

  • The cabins are manufactured off-site and have concrete-free foundations, hence transporting them from one location to another is extremely easy.

What we dislike

  • No complaints.

4. Azure’s ADUs

Azure, essentially specializes in ADUs or Accessory Dwelling Units, which are usually placed next to a main residence, or in the backyard of a home. Azure creates several models of these ADUs – from backyard office studios to a two-bedroom tiny home. The structures are modern and futuristic, amped with glass walls, recessed lighting, and pocket doors, providing them with the feel of a complete home.

Why is it noteworthy?

Within 20 hours, Azure 3D prints the homes – including their structural skeleton, exterior sheathing, water control barrier, exterior finish, utility passageways, and the grounding for interior finishes.

What we like

  • Over 60% of Azure’s printing material will comprise of waterproof plastic polymer, which is usually found in plastic bottles or food packaging.

What we dislike

  • No complaints

5. Koto Design x Adobu’s prefab home

Based in the English seaside village of Westward Ho!, the architecture studio Koto Design captures the mellow vibe of a day spent at the seashore and translates it into a home space. Inspired by Scandinavian simplicity and Japanese minimalism, the result comes through breezy, open floor layouts and organic building materials.

Why is it noteworthy?

The architecture studio is known for its extensive catalog of sustainable, prefabricated tiny homes that can be transported to locations across the globe. In a recent collaboration with the USA-based, backyard home-building company Adobu, the two studios worked together to construct a tiny, prefabricated home that marries Scandinavian design with a Californian twist.

What we like

  • Provides a semi-outdoor lifestyle
  • Is carbon-neutral, and provides off-grid capabilities

What we dislike

  • With it’s sloped roof, it will be difficult to grow the space vertically.

6. Rock Cabins

Nestled in the heart of Csóromfölde, Hungary is six stunning polygonal cabins called ‘Rock Cabins’. Designed and constructed by architectural firm Hello Wood in collaboration with TreeHouses, the brains, and brawn behind the immensely popular cabins in Noszvaj, the cabins have an almost mystical and mysterious appeal to them! Each cozy cabin accommodates two people, making it the ultimate romantic getaway.

Why is it noteworthy?

Quite interestingly, the cabins are inspired by the shape of rocks. The intention behind these raw and real cabins was to create something that would harmoniously blend with nature, functioning as a natural extension of it. The cabin’s rock-like aesthetic helps it to effortlessly merge with the natural landscape surrounding it.

What we like

  • Creates job opportunities for the local people, thereby boosting the local economy
  • Attracts tourists

What we dislike

  • No complaints

7. CABN.CO

Today, more and more people are veering towards homes that are green and energy-efficient. Words like net zero, prefab, and Passive House standard are thrown like confetti while describing their dream home. In an age, where sustainable architecture is thriving more than ever, CABN.CO by Jackson Wyatt is a much welcomed upcoming project. The prefab homes have to weather travel after being constructed by road – hence the fittings and insulation has to be more durable than the ones we build on site. As a result, the sealing and heat trapping provided by these homes is better, reducing the energy usage in colder climates.

Why is it noteworthy?

CABN.CO is on a mission to build energy-efficient and smart homes that can be placed in unique and diverse locations all over the world. These versatile cabins can be a home for you almost anywhere in the world – whether in the city or on a remote island in the Bahamas! These cabins focus heavily on solar shading and roof overhangs.

What we like

  • Energy-efficient
  • Equipped with smart technology

What we dislike

  • No complaints

8. The Folding Dream House

Michael Jantzen, a multidisciplinary artist based in New Mexico, is one artist who seems endlessly inspired by geometry. Merging sustainability, architecture, and technology, Jantzen developed an adaptable modern home called The Folding Dream House that expands from an enclosed, cubic structure into a multi-layered, dream home.

Why is it noteworthy?

From its initial conception, the Folding Dream House was designed as a place to sleep. Amounting to the size of a conventional hotel room, the Folding Dream House consists of two prefabricated, portable modules. Each rectangular module is envisioned mounted atop an elevated, triangular foundation that connects the home’s expandable support beams to its frame. On each facade of the Folding Dream House, Jantzen envisioned triangular overhangs and partitions as foldable panels that expand from the home’s frame.

What we like

  • The panels can be folded open or closed in many different ways around the modules in order to accommodate various functional and/or aesthetic requirements

What we dislike

  • It’s still in the conceptual phase, which means that there could be fundamental changes as the material restrictions come in the production phase.

9. Casa ZGZ

Montevideo-based architecture firm iHouse constructs prefabricated homes using the latest dry construction methods currently trending on the international stage. With only 70 days to build a home for Conrado, an Uruguayan living in London, on his family’s property in Colonia, iHouse was well-equipped to take on the project. Formed by the merging of two modules, Casa ZGZ was constructed offsite and then installed on the family’s property in just five days.

Why is it noteworthy?

As Colonia is one of Uruguay’s oldest towns, the team behind Casa ZGZ hoped to maintain the spirit of the region’s historical architecture while contemporizing the cabin to accommodate modern needs. The single-level residence is clad in black in an effort to present hide the home in plain sight amongst the many elements of nature that surround it. The black exterior also warms up the home’s wooden interior, which is paneled with wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

What we like

  • Minimizing the home’s impact on the region’s environment and land, Casa ZGZ was constructed offsite in two modules
  • Coexists in harmony with a space alien to its language

What we dislike

  • It could have been equipped with another story

10. The Hithe

The Hithe is a prefabricated, demountable structure located in London’s Rotherhithe community designed to support local businesses while bridging the city’s communities with modern changes. The Hithe is a 200sqm structure, located on Albion Street, the neighborhood social hub. Prefabricated by design, the structure consists of five modules that were constructed offsite and then assembled on Albion.

Why is it noteworthy?

New social infrastructure is rising in the London neighborhood, providing residents with a meeting hub that could function as the very bridge that maintains the neighborhood’s identity while connecting it with imminent modern changes. The Hithe is a new, fully demountable, and re-locatable multipurpose structure designed by IF_DO Architects to bring the community of Rotherhithe together.

What we like

  • Provides city residents with a common space for work, social, and commercial purposes
  • In an effort to reduce the need for built-in circulation spaces, each of the ten micro studios is accessible from the building’s exterior

What we dislike

  • Unsure whether it can actually meet its goal of reducing gentrification

The post Top 10 prefab homes for advocates of sustainable architecture first appeared on Yanko Design.

These prefab Scandinavian-inspired cabins could be luxurious resorts in the near future

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Aylott & Van Tromp have been working on high-end projects for a while now, from working with Hilton to working on a luxe Jiu Jitsu gym, their expertise in sophisticated interiors is unmatched. And, they’ve now designed prefab cabins for your next vacation! They’ve developed these cabins from the ground up, and are hoping to sell them to hoteliers, to maybe create a whole new chain of luxurious resorts. They want the cabins to feel like hotel suites while maintaining a very Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic.

Designer: Aylott + Van Tromp

“We sculpted the cabins with ideals of individuality, adaptability, and efficiency in mind,” says James Van Tromp.

Called the Nokken Cabin, these prefab cabins can be purchased by anyone, but the duo has bigger plans for them. They want clusters of them to be placed in beautiful and remote locations to create “landscape hotels”, that can provide a luxurious glamping experience. You would be able to connect with nature and unwind, but in a comfortable and cozy space – without having to roughen it out basically. Each cabin takes almost 10-12 weeks to be completed, and they feature a pale pastel larch flooring and ceiling, which contrast quite interestingly with the dark larch walls. This creates a dramatic and almost mesmerizing effect.

The exterior of the cabin also boasts a dramatic dark European larch facade, subtly matching some parts of the interior, as well as perforated metal. Custom furniture and expansive glazing welcome you inside the cabin, or buyers can customize the interiors according to their personal tastes and preference. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow natural light to stream in effortlessly throughout the day. A dark headboard also doubles up as the dining table. A beautiful picture window in front of the bed provides surreal views of the surrounding landscape. The fixtures and finishes fitted into the space are also dark black, to match the overall larch appearance. The cabin houses a bedroom, bathroom, an open kitchen, and living space.

The Nokken Cabin was created for the purpose of expansion and was meant to be a pretty flexible structure. It can be used as a travel accommodation, a workspace, a retail element, a spa, a restaurant, or even as a simple home.

Aylott mentioned a particular feature that really piqued my interest – “We offer full-service integration,” said Aylott. “So if a purchaser needs assistance for their business, whether it’s marketing, branding, management, or even recreational advice, we’re there.”

Providing a complete service is something that is really unique. Tiny prefab cabins are all the craze now, but ones that come along with an entire marketing + management package are quite rare! We can’t wait to see the impact Nokken cabins have on the hospitality industry!

The post These prefab Scandinavian-inspired cabins could be luxurious resorts in the near future first appeared on Yanko Design.

These prefab tiny homes are 3D printed using recycled plastic

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Sustainability has been running on everybody’s mind. And, with everyone aspiring toward’s eco-friendly and mindful ways of living, tiny homes have completely taken over the world of architecture and cemented their place as sustainable, minimal, and economical micro-living setups. What started off as a cute little trend is now turning into a serious option for home spaces. They are a space-saving and eco-friendly living solution that reduces the load on Mother Earth! And one of the newbies in the tiny home market is Azure. The Los Angeles-based startup is using recycled plastic to 3D print prefab tiny homes!

Designer: Azure

Azure, essentially specializes in ADUs or Accessory Dwelling Units, which are usually placed next to a main residence, or in the backyard of a home! Azure creates several models of these ADUs – from backyard office studios to a two-bedroom tiny home. The structures are modern and futuristic, amped with glass walls, recessed lighting, and pocket doors, providing them with the feel of a complete home. Within 20 hours, Azure 3D prints the homes – including their structural skeleton, exterior sheathing, water control barrier, exterior finish, utility passageways, and the grounding for interior finishes.

Now, what makes Azure’s homes so special? I mean 3D printing has been around the block for a while, it’s nothing relatively groundbreaking. But, the fact is that most 3D printing home builders use a form of mixed or pure concrete to create homes, however, Azure is taking a more sustainable approach by utilizing recycled plastic in the construction. Over 60% of Azure’s printing material will comprise of waterproof plastic polymer, which is usually found in plastic bottles or food packaging.

“The construction sector is the largest global consumer of raw materials, responsible for approximately 11 percent of the world’s total carbon emissions. Our responsibility to our customers and future generations is to use the most sustainable practices imaginable,” said Ross Maguire, the CEO of Azure.

Azure promises that it will build homes 70% faster, and 30% cheaper as compared to traditional construction methods. They hope to do so by 3D printing the roof, floor, and walls of their homes within the factory itself. Before any unit leaves Azure’s factory, it will already be 99% complete! This is as efficient as prefabrication can get.

“Our supply chain should never be short in our lifetime,” said Ross Maguire. “We have created production efficiencies not only by capitalizing on the advances in 3D printing but by creating a design and process that is completed in only 20 hours”, he continued.

Azure seems to have found an even more sustainable approach to tiny homes! Tiny homes were already a major hit amongst advocates of sustainable architecture, but homes that are now 3D printed using recycled plastic? That’s a whole new ballgame…and we’re super excited to see where it leads to!

The post These prefab tiny homes are 3D printed using recycled plastic first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 prefab architectural designs for lovers of sustainability

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Prefabricated architecture has been gaining a lot of popularity and momentum recently! It basically involves making buildings or building various components at a particular location, one that is better suited for construction, and then once completed, transporting it to the final site or location. Prefab architectural designs have a multitude of benefits – they keep costs down, ensure projects are more sustainable and efficient, and they also prioritize and pay attention to simplicity and modularity. And we have curated a collection of our favorite prefabricated designs for you – from a prefab tiny home that is a smart mobile unit to the Tesla of prefab homes– these prefabricated designs are a part of an integral growing trend in modern architecture, and could be the future of it as well!

1. The Coodo

A couple of years ago, German entrepreneur Mark Dare Schmiedel got pretty fed up with the chaos of Berlin and decided to move to the countryside, building his own quaint loft along the banks of the River Spree. The peace, calm, and zen that followed, got him wondering whether it would be possible to create a similar, but a mobile form of home, that could provide the same sanctuary to others. In his quest for such a retreat, he came across a mobile home concept designed by a group of Slovenian architects called ‘Coodo’. Schmiedel went on to procure the design rights of the concept, through his company LTG Lofts to Go and kickstarted the production of the units. The modular homes aim to bring you closer to nature, to a space away from the crowds, where you can truly enjoy the beauty of a moment.

Why is it noteworthy?

It features a curved and minimal steel frame with rounded edges and stunning floor-to-ceiling glass walls. The beautiful glass walls allow a generous stream of sunlight to enter the home. Whether on rooftops in the city, beaches, mountains or alongside a river, the Coodo can be easily installed almost anywhere.

What we like

  • Integrated utilization of smart home technology
  • Adherence to Passive House standards

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

2. Koto Design x Adobu’s prefab home

Based in the English seaside village of Westward Ho!, the architecture studio Koto Design captures the mellow vibe of a day spent at the seashore and translates it into a home space. Inspired by Scandinavian simplicity and Japanese minimalism, the result comes through breezy, open floor layouts and organic building materials.

Why is it noteworthy?

The architecture studio is known for its extensive catalog of sustainable, prefabricated tiny homes that can be transported to locations across the globe. In a recent collaboration with the USA-based, backyard home-building company Adobu, the two studios worked together to construct a tiny, prefabricated home that marries Scandinavian design with a Californian twist.

What we like

  • Provides a semi-outdoor lifestyle
  • Is carbon-neutral, and provides off-grid capabilities

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

3. Rock Cabins

Nestled in the heart of Csóromfölde, Hungary is six stunning polygonal cabins called ‘Rock Cabins’. Designed and constructed by architectural firm Hello Wood in collaboration with TreeHouses, the brains, and brawn behind the immensely popular cabins in Noszvaj, the cabins have an almost mystical and mysterious appeal to them! Each cozy cabin accommodates two people, making it the ultimate romantic getaway.

Why is it noteworthy?

Quite interestingly, the cabins are inspired by the shape of rocks. The intention behind these raw and real cabins was to create something that would harmoniously blend with nature, functioning as a natural extension of it. The cabin’s rock-like aesthetic helps it to effortlessly merge with the natural landscape surrounding it.

What we like

  • Creates job opportunities for the local people, thereby boosting the local economy
  • Attracts tourists

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

4. CABN.CO

Today, more and more people are veering towards homes that are green and energy-efficient. Words like net zero, prefab, and Passive House standard are thrown like confetti while describing their dream home! In an age, where sustainable architecture is thriving more than ever, CABN.CO by Jackson Wyatt is a much welcomed upcoming project.

Why is it noteworthy?

CABN.CO is on a mission to build energy-efficient and smart homes that can be placed in unique and diverse locations all over the world. These versatile cabins can be a home for you almost anywhere in the world – whether in the city or on a remote island in the Bahamas! These cabins focus heavily on solar shading and roof overhangs.

What we like

  • Energy-efficient
  • Equipped with smart technology

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

5. OM-1

Don’t you just wish sometimes that you could “build” a house online and then order it just the way you like it? Well, now you actually can to some extent as a company called Dimensions X is aiming to be the Tesla of prefabricated homes. Plus, just like the environmentally friendly car company whose model they are following, the houses they will be offering homes that are energy efficient and will offer less carbon footprint.

Why is it noteworthy?

Australian entrepreneur Oscar Martin partnered with architect Peter Stutchbury to create a company that can offer people their prefabricated homes with a few clicks on their website. The process isn’t yet as simple as ordering a Tesla but they do have an online configurator that will tell you how much it will cost you as soon as you build your prefab home and make certain changes to it. There are modules and elements that you can modify to make it your own.

What we like

  • An energy-efficient home with a small carbon footprint
  • You can choose things like the length and size of the entire house as well as placements of doors and windows, finishes, orientations, and other elements that you can personalize

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

6. The Folding Dream House

Michael Jantzen, a multidisciplinary artist based in New Mexico, is one artist who seems endlessly inspired by geometry. Merging sustainability, architecture, and technology, Jantzen developed an adaptable modern home called The Folding Dream House that expands from an enclosed, cubic structure into a multi-layered, dream home.

Why is it noteworthy?

From its initial conception, the Folding Dream House was designed as a place to sleep. Amounting to the size of a conventional hotel room, the Folding Dream House consists of two prefabricated, portable modules. Each rectangular module is envisioned mounted atop an elevated, triangular foundation that connects the home’s expandable support beams to its frame. On each facade of the Folding Dream House, Jantzen envisioned triangular overhangs and partitions as foldable panels that expand from the home’s frame.

What we like

  • The panels can be folded open or closed in many different ways around the modules in order to accommodate various functional and/or aesthetic requirements

What we dislike

  • It’s still in the conceptual phase!

7. The Pied-à-Mer

This pre-fabricated holiday apartment is something we can only wonder about unless you can someday go aboard the largest private cruise ship in the world.

Why is it noteworthy?

Inspired by the Unite D’Habitation housing typology by Swiss-French architect and designer Le Corbusier, the Pied-à-Mer is a 600-square foot luxury holiday apartment on a private cruise ship. As expected of course, it has a nautical theme but with midcentury, modernist influences. It starts out as a one-bedroom living space but can morph into a two-bedroom space for when they get visits from friends or family members.

What we like

  • Speaking of the dining table, when it’s not being used for eating, it can be tucked away, and then the space is converted into a guest bedroom by lowering the guest bed

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

8. Casa ZGZ

Montevideo-based architecture firm iHouse constructs prefabricated homes using the latest dry construction methods currently trending on the international stage. With only 70 days to build a home for Conrado, an Uruguayan living in London, on his family’s property in Colonia, iHouse was well-equipped to take on the project. Formed by the merging of two modules, Casa ZGZ was constructed offsite and then installed on the family’s property in just five days.

Why is it noteworthy?

As Colonia is one of Uruguay’s oldest towns, the team behind Casa ZGZ hoped to maintain the spirit of the region’s historical architecture while contemporizing the cabin to accommodate modern needs. The single-level residence is clad in black in an effort to present hide the home in plain sight amongst the many elements of nature that surround it. The black exterior also warms up the home’s wooden interior, which is paneled with wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

What we like

  • Minimizing the home’s impact on the region’s environment and land, Casa ZGZ was constructed offsite in two modules
  • Coexists in harmony with a space alien to its language

What we dislike

  • It could have been equipped with another story

9. The Hithe

The Hithe is a prefabricated, demountable structure located in London’s Rotherhithe community designed to support local businesses while bridging the city’s communities with modern changes. The Hithe is a 200sqm is located on Albion Street, the neighborhood social hub. Prefabricated by design, the structure consists of five modules that were constructed offsite and then assembled on Albion.

Why is it noteworthy?

New social infrastructure is rising in the London neighborhood, providing residents with a meeting hub that could function as the very bridge that maintains the neighborhood’s identity while connecting it with imminent modern changes. The Hithe is a new, fully demountable, and re-locatable multipurpose structure designed by IF_DO Architects to bring the community of Rotherhithe together.

What we like

  • Provides city residents with a common space for work, social, and commercial purposes
  • In an effort to reduce the need for built-in circulation spaces, each of the ten micro studios is accessible from the building’s exterior

What we dislike

  • Unsure whether it can actually meet its goal of reducing gentrification

10. Prefab Pod

Originally designed as a modular pod for luxury getaways, Hariri & Hariri Architecture’s prefab folding structure is now proving to be an incredibly cost and labor-effective solution to ongoing refugee crises caused by political unrest and climate change. The prefabricated structure ships as a flat-packed unit and can be opened out and assembled in mere minutes with just a crane and minimal manual labor, allowing you to set up instant refugee shelters anywhere.

Why is it noteworthy?

Conceptually, the pod’s unique folding structure is inspired by Origami. It’s designed to fold flat when not in use and can be shipped as a set of flat palettes stacked together and assembled on-site. When assembled, the walls open outwards and lock into a hexagonal shape, making the pod’s structure geometrically stable and modular.

What we like

  • Iranian architects Gisue and Mojgan Hariri designed the prefab pod based on their own experience of losing their home
  • The single-story pods can also be linked together to create larger living units

What we dislike

No complaints!

The post Top 10 prefab architectural designs for lovers of sustainability first appeared on Yanko Design.

These prefab energy efficient cabins promise to be your green dream home

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Today, more and more people are veering towards homes that are green and energy-efficient. Words like net zero, prefab, and Passive House standard are thrown like confetti while describing their dream home! In an age, where sustainable architecture is thriving more than ever, CABN.CO by Jackson Wyatt is a much welcomed upcoming project.

Designer: Jackson Wyatt

CABN.CO is on a mission to build energy-efficient and smart homes that can be placed in unique and diverse locations all over the world. These versatile cabins can be a home for you almost anywhere in the world – whether in the city or on a remote island in the Bahamas! These cabins focus heavily on solar shading and roof overhangs. Wyatt believes,”these elements create a highly efficient structure for year-round comfort and energy generation.” Instead of following the Passive House standard, CABN.CO follows its own Energy Informed Design (EID) system.

The homes are designed to be prefabricated, net-zero, solar powered, and biophilic.”CABN is considered a Net-positive Energy Building when applying thermal bridge free components airtight construction, electric systems with heat exchange ventilation, and on/site renewable energy generation within the building elements.” CABN.CO has also integrated the home with a biophilic design, which is further accentuated by the presence of cross-laminated timber. The home is wrapped in 8 inches of the standard board, followed by an inch of water-resistant board. The cabins will also be equipped with R-744 pumps, which deliver hot water. It is supported by a steel frame foundation and features sustainable cladding options. The different parts of the home are panelized and packed in the factory and can be delivered almost anywhere in the world in standard shipping containers.

There are currently two models in the work – the Mor.ii and the Sander. The Mor.ii is a 540 square foot one bedroom, whereas the Sander is a 752 square foot two-bedroom. Both models have been equipped with one bathroom, and wooden floors that warmly open up to an expansive deck, creating an indoor-outdoor connection. They also feature smart home technology, allowing the residents to monitor and regulate the temperature throughout the cabins.

Wyatt believes that with their innovative prefabricated component construction strategy, accompanied by their energy-modeled design and renewable technology, “CABN.CO has created a new era in home design for the conscious and connected consumer.” And, we do think he maybe onto something.

The post These prefab energy efficient cabins promise to be your green dream home first appeared on Yanko Design.

These rustic prefab cabins in rural Hungary are inspired by the shape of rocks

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Nestled in the heart of Csóromfölde, Hungary is six stunning polygonal cabins called ‘Rock Cabins’. Designed and constructed by architectural firm Hello Wood in collaboration with TreeHouses, the brains, and brawn behind the immensely popular cabins in Noszvaj, the cabins have an almost mystical and mysterious appeal to them! Each cozy cabin accommodates two people, making it the ultimate romantic getaway.

Designer: Hello Wood and TreeHouses

Quite interestingly, the cabins are inspired by the shape of rocks. The intention behind these raw and real cabins was to create something that would harmoniously blend with nature, functioning as a natural extension of it. The cabin’s rock-like aesthetic helps it to effortlessly merge with the natural landscape surrounding it. Csóromfölde was once a farmstead and has hosted multiple architectural education programs and festivals through the years. However, once the summer season ended, Csóromfölde and its surrounding villages were abandoned for the rest of the year. Hello Wood is sure that with the creation of the Rock Cabins, they will be able to provide work to the locals not only during the construction process but also through operative tasks throughout the year as well! They’re excited to create job opportunities for the local people, thereby boosting the local economy, and also attracting more tourists to this lovely location!

The cabins were designed to be warm, minimal, and sustainable. Dark grey wooden panels, sharp edges, an intriguing geometric form, and an almost monolithic build make the cabins extremely unique, and unlike the usual A-frame cabins, we tend to come across. The interiors feature a living room, a bedroom area, fully-functioning kitchen appliances, a built-in wardrobe, and a dining table.

The bathroom is well equipped with a double shower and a panoramic infrared sauna. And the real star of the cabin is (according to me) – a large hot tub fitted into the spacious terrace, with direct access to the shower! Say hello to some much-needed downtime.

To ensure complete privacy and a truly relaxing experience, the cabins have been placed facing away from each other and towards the surrounding lush fields, and the rolling hills.  And of course, sustainability was a key element during the construction of the cabins! The cabins are primarily prefabricated – on-site construction work was reduced as much as possible. The innovative structure and cladding ensure that the cabins can be heated and cooled with minimum energy consumption. The main living area has been raised from the ground, the technical systems have been positioned below it, while the roof manages to balance the temperature within the cabins.

Could you see yourself spending a Hungarian summer at the Rock Cabins?

The post These rustic prefab cabins in rural Hungary are inspired by the shape of rocks first appeared on Yanko Design.

Revel in a machine aesthetic, prefab holiday apartment aboard a cruise ship

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If you had to spend a sufficient amount of time on a ship, you would want to have pretty comfortable lodgings. Alas, not all of us could afford to go on luxurious cruises let alone go on a private cruise aboard a luxury line. But that doesn’t mean we can’t dream or marvel at what glorious living conditions are out there for those who can afford to do so. This pre-fabricated holiday apartment is one such thing we can only wonder about unless you can someday go aboard the largest private cruise ship in the world.

Designer: Michael K. Chen

Inspired by the Unite D’Habitation housing typology by Swiss-French architect and designer Le Corbusier, the Pied-à-Mer is a 600-square foot luxury holiday apartment on a private cruise ship. As expected of course, it has a nautical theme but with midcentury, modernist influences. It starts out as a one-bedroom living space but can morph into a two-bedroom space for when they get visits from friends or family members.

The entire space can turn into a two-bedroom space with two bathrooms, a kitchen, a sitting area, a dressing room, and a trunk room. There’s also space for an entry hall and storage space which you’d need if you’re staying for a longer period than just a weekend. The foyer has the storage on one side and then a coat closet on the other side. The entryway has the guest closet on the left and the guest bathroom on the right, leading to the kitchen, living space, and a sliding door that opens up to a terrace with a view of the open seas.

The apartment is made up of prefab pod-like volumes which were created in Austria, and then they were installed on the ship in Spain for five weeks while the ship was undergoing its dry-dock maintenance. The pods, cladding, cabinets, and all the functional elements were all pre-fabricated, and some, like the folding table were created in New York before being shipped and installed in the apartment.

Speaking of the dining table, when it’s not being used for eating, it can be tucked away, and then the space is converted into a guest bedroom by lowering the guest bed. That bed as well as the main one comes with integrated nightstands, lighting, and even shelving. There is also a sliding door to give some sense of privacy between the two bedrooms. The fabricated pieces come in a blue and gray colored ribbed aluminum finish to give it a “slightly machine aesthetic” in keeping with the “machine for living” concept from Le Corbusier.

The post Revel in a machine aesthetic, prefab holiday apartment aboard a cruise ship first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 prefab architectural designs that’ll tick all the boxes for sustainable architecture lovers

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Prefabricated architecture has been gaining a lot of popularity and momentum recently! It basically involves making buildings or building various components at a particular location, one that is better suited for construction, and then once completed, transporting it to the final site or location. Prefab architectural designs have a multitude of benefits – they keep costs down, ensure projects are more sustainable and efficient, and they also prioritize and pay attention to simplicity and modularity. And we have curated a collection of our favorite prefabricated designs for you – from an AI-enabled prefab tiny home to a home that combines Scandinavian simplicity with a breezy Californian twist – these prefabricated designs are a part of an integral growing trend in modern architecture, and could be the future of it as well!

 1. Koto Design x Adobu’s prefab home

Based in the English seaside village of Westward Ho!, the architecture studio Koto Design captures the mellow vibe of a day spent at the seashore and translates it into a home space. Inspired by Scandinavian simplicity and Japanese minimalism, the result comes through breezy, open floor layouts and organic building materials.

Why is it noteworthy?

The architecture studio is known for its extensive catalog of sustainable, prefabricated tiny homes that can be transported to locations across the globe. In a recent collaboration with the USA-based, backyard home-building company Adobu, the two studios worked together to construct a tiny, prefabricated home that marries Scandinavian design with a Californian twist.

What we like

  • Provides a semi-outdoor lifestyle
  • Is carbon-neutral, and provides off-grid capabilities

What we dislike

No complaints!

2. The Folding Dream House

Michael Jantzen, a multidisciplinary artist based in New Mexico, is one artist who seems endlessly inspired by geometry. Merging sustainability, architecture, and technology, Jantzen developed an adaptable modern home called The Folding Dream House that expands from an enclosed, cubic structure into a multi-layered, dream home.

Why is it noteworthy?

From its initial conception, the Folding Dream House was designed as a place to sleep. Amounting to the size of a conventional hotel room, the Folding Dream House consists of two prefabricated, portable modules. Each rectangular module is envisioned mounted atop an elevated, triangular foundation that connects the home’s expandable support beams to its frame. On each facade of the Folding Dream House, Jantzen envisioned triangular overhangs and partitions as foldable panels that expand from the home’s frame.

What we like

  • The panels can be folded open or closed in many different ways around the modules in order to accommodate various functional and/or aesthetic requirements

What we dislike

  • It’s still in the conceptual phase!

3. iHouse

Montevideo-based architecture firm iHouse constructs prefabricated homes using the latest dry construction methods currently trending on the international stage. With only 70 days to build a home for Conrado, an Uruguayan living in London, on his family’s property in Colonia, iHouse was well-equipped to take on the project. Formed by the merging of two modules, Casa ZGZ was constructed offsite and then installed on the family’s property in just five days.

Why is it noteworthy?

As Colonia is one of Uruguay’s oldest towns, the team behind Casa ZGZ hoped to maintain the spirit of the region’s historical architecture while contemporizing the cabin to accommodate modern needs. The single-level residence is clad in black in an effort to present hide the home in plain sight amongst the many elements of nature that surround it. The black exterior also warms up the home’s wooden interior, which is paneled with wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

What we like

  • Minimizing the home’s impact on the region’s environment and land, Casa ZGZ was constructed offsite in two modules
  • Coexists in harmony with a space alien to its language

What we dislike

  • It could have been equipped with another story

4. The Legend Two X

Nestron, a new generation of tiny living home builders, designs fully prefabricated homes with built-in furniture and a smart home system, delivered in a ready-to-live formula. The Legend Two from prefabricated architecture company Nestron is a prefab, tiny home that marries stylish design with classical elements. The homebuilders at Nestron released the next generation of Legend Two, dubbed Legend Two X.

Why is it noteworthy?

Built as an extension to the Legend Two series, the X generation expands its preceding model by 7.9 square meters, for a total of 33.4 square meters. The builders at Nestron expanded the prefabricated tiny home to accommodate full-size appliances like refrigerators and washing machines without compromising the home’s available living space. Inspired by classic American architecture, the exterior of Legend Two X’s prefab homes keeps an approachable, elegant appearance while maintaining a bit of decorative restraint.

What we like

Combines the traditional elements of classic American architecture with some mid-century modern and Scandinavian-inspired design elements

Brings back a sense of nostalgia with this rustic design

What we dislike

No complaints!

5. The Hithe

The Hithe is a prefabricated, demountable structure located in London’s Rotherhithe community designed to support local businesses while bridging the city’s communities with modern changes. The Hithe is a 200sqm is located on Albion Street, the neighborhood social hub. Prefabricated by design, the structure consists of five modules that were constructed offsite and then assembled on Albion.

Why is it noteworthy?

New social infrastructure is rising in the London neighborhood, providing residents with a meeting hub that could function as the very bridge that maintains the neighborhood’s identity while connecting it with imminent modern changes. The Hithe is a new, fully demountable, and re-locatable multipurpose structure designed by IF_DO Architects to bring the community of Rotherhithe together.

What we like

  • Provides city residents with a common space for work, social, and commercial purposes
  • In an effort to reduce the need for built-in circulation spaces, each of the ten micro studios is accessible from the building’s exterior

What we dislike

  • Unsure whether it can actually meet its goal of reducing gentrification

6. Prefab Pod

Originally designed as a modular pod for luxury getaways, Hariri & Hariri Architecture’s prefab folding structure is now proving to be an incredibly cost and labor-effective solution to ongoing refugee crises caused by political unrest and climate change. The prefabricated structure ships as a flat-packed unit and can be opened out and assembled in mere minutes with just a crane and minimal manual labor, allowing you to set up instant refugee shelters anywhere.

Why is it noteworthy?

Conceptually, the pod’s unique folding structure is inspired by Origami. It’s designed to fold flat when not in use and can be shipped as a set of flat palettes stacked together and assembled on-site. When assembled, the walls open outwards and lock into a hexagonal shape, making the pod’s structure geometrically stable and modular.

What we like

  • Iranian architects Gisue and Mojgan Hariri designed the prefab pod based on their own experience of losing their home
  • The single-story pods can also be linked together to create larger living units

What we dislike

No complaints!

7. A-Fold’s line of prefabricated homes

A-Fold’s line of prefabricated homes comes in two models and are designed to provide earthquake relief as well as to withstand a natural disaster. At the height of the pandemic, A-Fold launched the designs for their line of prefabricated homes that includes two bi-level cabins. Model A, the first of the two to be released, is a traditional A-frame cabin and ranges in size from 51 sqm to 125 sqm. Model T is named for its trapezoid shape and its smallest size is slightly larger than Model A’s, coming in at 52 sqm while its largest size is 127 sqm.

Why is it noteworthy?

Like most prefabricated homes, Model A and Model T from A-Fold are both constructed offsite and transported via truck to the home’s destination. Then, each home is mounted atop a screw piles system foundation, which consists of metal poles that spiral sectors are attached to and then driven deep into the ground.

What we like

  • The very build of the home is built to withstand natural disasters like earthquakes through a system of massive hinge connection
  • A choice between roofs – a modern look with Isogrecata metal paneling or a more traditional look with bitumen roof tiles

What we dislike

No complaints!

8. The Amagansett Modular house

The Amagansett Modular house is a 1,800-square-foot prefabricated home constructed from stacked shipping containers. Modeled after their circa-2008 insta_house, the Amagansett Modular home is a custom design for a family of four. While the insta_house is a scalable, prefabricated structure formed from four stacked shipping containers, the Amagansett Modular house takes on two additional shipping containers to meet the couple’s requirements.

Why is it noteworthy?

Located in Amagansett’s East Hampton village, the Amagansett Modular is one of many modern homes that take disused shipping containers to construct modular houses with little waste. Considering the durable and inexpensive nature of shipping containers, they’re the ideal option for building prefabricated homes and MB Architecture is no stranger.

What we like

  • Unique cantilevered structure
  • Features a floating shipping container

What we dislike

  • Not much to distinguish it from other shipping container-based architecture

9. Cube One

Low-cost, prefabricated, and ready to live in homes are all the rage right now! And tiny home builder Nestron has jumped on the bandwagon with their latest AI-enabled home ‘Cube One’. Cube One is a 156-square-foot home perfect for all kinds of residents – from single youngsters to large families. The value for money home has been equipped with built-in furnishings, voice-controlled tech, and a galvanized steel shell that not only lends it a sci-fi feel but also protects it from extreme temperatures and natural disasters.

Why is it noteworthy?

Much like a Rubik’s Cube, the dynamic Cube One can be customized and played around with! The interior can be customized with various add-ons and trimmings, including a kitchen with a bar counter, a wardrobe, a bed, a living area, and a shower accompanied by a toilet and laundry machine. It also comes fully equipped with smart technology which is experienced in the form of color controllable LED lighting, a television, sound system, and air conditioning.

What we like

  • Built from recyclable materials
  • AI-enabled

What we dislike

  • Eco-friendly and sustainable elements like a compostable toilet, solar panels, and electric-heated flooring are integrated at an additional cost

10. The Friends Lab House

The Friends Lab House finds its veil with permeable black-stained Accoya timber batten screen cladding that hearkens back to the other blackened timber structures around the property. Just beyond the Friends Lab House, dense woodlands run parallel with the lengthy home, a subtle ode to the home’s sweeping surroundings. Describing the home’s initial plans, AMPS founder Alberto Marcos says, “A similar formal and color approach to the existing farm was used for the design of the new house, but reinterpreted in a thoroughly contemporary way, from structure to finishes and importantly, a very high level of energy efficiency.”

Why is it noteworthy?

Especially true in the wide-open countryside of Hampshire, England, new architecture must blend into its surroundings and that was one of the Friend Labs House’s residents’ main requests. In addition to building an expansive, sustainable home, AMPS ensured the residence would harmonize with its surroundings by mirroring the look of the farm’s other homes.

What we like

  • Outfitted with energy-efficient specs needed for a self-sufficient home

What we dislike

  • Traditional aesthetics

The post Top 10 prefab architectural designs that’ll tick all the boxes for sustainable architecture lovers first appeared on Yanko Design.

This prefabricated modern cabin is clad in black and hidden in plain sight on Colonia’s coast

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Nestled in the coastal woods of Colonia, Casa ZGZ is a prefabricated, single-story cabin that’s clad in black to hide the modern home in plain sight.

Montevideo-based architecture firm iHouse constructs prefabricated homes using the latest dry construction methods currently trending on the international stage. With only 70 days to build a home for Conrado, an Uruguayan living in London, on his family’s property in Colonia, iHouse was well-equipped to take on the project. Formed by the merging of two modules, Casa ZGZ was constructed offsite and then installed on the family’s property in just five days.

Designer: iHouse

As Colonia is one of Uruguay’s oldest towns, the team behind Casa ZGZ hoped to maintain the spirit of the region’s historical architecture while contemporizing the cabin to accommodate modern needs. The single-level residence is clad in black in an effort to present hide the home in plain sight amongst the many elements of nature that surround it. The black exterior also warms up the home’s wooden interior, which is paneled with wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

Speaking to this, the firm’s cofounders Marcelo Mederos and Andres Garcia explain, “The commission was to generate a rest home, cozy as are the small typical wooden cabins of the hemisphere where it resides, but in a contemporary enclave that can also withstand the vertiginousness of modern life and contemplate all the comforts of it, as well as rational use of resources trying to minimize the environmental impact.”

Minimizing the home’s impact on the region’s environment and land, Casa ZGZ was constructed offsite in two modules. Joined together by their longest side, one module houses the home’s wet services, including the bathrooms and kitchen. Then, the other module hosts the bedrooms and common spaces, like the dining area and living room.

Designed as an artificial structure that “coexists in harmony with a space alien to its language,” it was important for the architects to equip the home in close proximity to the nature that surrounds it. Comprising only one floor, Casa ZGZ finds space and height through an open floor layout and floor-to-ceiling window facades. Describing the creative choice for window facades, the cofounders explain, “The fully glazed main facade with a large gallery allows the total opening of each of the areas of the house, thus virtually expanding its area towards nature.”

The post This prefabricated modern cabin is clad in black and hidden in plain sight on Colonia’s coast first appeared on Yanko Design.