Looking for new homes in open spaces and far from city centers has become, in recent times, a trend and a necessity for those who need tranquility and contact with nature. In this sense, prefabricated houses have been erected as a good (and economical) alternative to conventional constructions. Made of wood, steel, concrete or mixed, the market offers a wide range of different styles and finishes. It all depends on the budget we have.
The main reason people turn to manufactured homes is their price. And not only that of the home itself but also that of unbuilt land, which is cheaper. Although, another plus, is that represent a significant time saver since, by making it with modular pieces, the duration of the process of building a house is reduced. In addition, due to their energy efficiency, they are more environmentally friendly and sustainable. Advantages are not lacking.
Sustainable and self-sufficient
In line with the philosophy of caring for the environment, the Freehand Architecture studio has embarked on two house projects that, in addition to being prefabricated and sustainable, they are also self-sufficient (and luxury). In addition, we have them very close because they are located in El Escorial, and in Torrelodones.
The intention is that these dwellings blend in with the natural environment that surrounds them, respecting green spaces through passive/positive architecture. And, to make them sustainable and self-sufficient, they use the standard Passvhaus system, which has extra insulation, solar panels, surrounding thermal current, thermally controlled glass, low primary energy and home automation control.
This standard Passivhaus system It is based on some basic concepts of the physics of construction and the buildings that have it implanted They manage to reduce heating and cooling needs by 75%. From there, the little additional energy they require can be easily covered with renewable energies, becoming a construction with a very low energy cost.
luxury mini cabin
halfway between a luxury cabin or a transportable mini house, Lumipod is a module that requires a minimum installation to be able to be enjoyed in any environment. In just 18 square meters, the module that we can see in the photos includes a bedroom with a shower, a toilet and a closet. A minimalist configuration that does not give up comfort.
The originality of this structure lies in the fact that the module is built around a semicircular curved glass window with aluminum frames that slide between two rails. This allows the entire front of the module to be opened so that the interior space is transformed into an outdoor space.
The interior of the cabin has been designed following the standards of the rooms of high end hotels and it has a large bed with a wardrobe, a toilet and a shower and includes cabinets and natural oak flooring. The ceiling is covered with a merino wool felt fabric and curtains over the entire glass surface allow daylight to be blocked.
It is available in three sizes: 5, 6 and 7 meters in diameter, from 18m2 to 36m2 (the so-called “family cocoon”). Its modules are sold prefabricated at the Lumicene workshops in Lyon and can be transported by road and by sea. Its installation takes two days at the settlement site, where it is placed on screw piles to minimize environmental impact. In addition, the entire module is recyclable.
Downloadable and low cost
Ikea commissioned students Johanne Holm-Jensen and Mia Behrens to design a prefabricated house that would be affordable, sustainable and could also be assembled anywhere on the planet. She was baptized with the name of Building Blocks and It was created at a cost of 163 euros per square meter. The intention is that anyone can download the open source design to customize the house according to your needs, “printing” the necessary parts and assembling it relatively quickly and easily.
It is only a prototype but the objective is that they can exist low cost and sustainable modular homes available to anyone, thus democratizing access to housing. And it is that these houses could be worth around 8,000 euros.
japanese minimalism
I don’t read It is the fourth model of Muji’s prefabricated house and is characterized by being the first of its catalog of a single story, so it is perfect for those who want an environment without upper floors. Offers a area of 75 square meters with a terrace of 18 square meters, which makes it an ideal house for a couple or a small family.
In terms of materials, there is an important presence of wood on the floors and walls, while the roof is made of galvanized steel for greater resistance to the passage of time and inclement weather. The house is also designed to have a minimum environmental impact and is focused on greater energy efficiency with the use of solar energy Y optimal insulation.
Japanese minimalism is present in every corner, but with the massive presence of wood on the floors and furniture, it conveys a warm atmosphere that surprises far from the preconceived ideas that assimilate minimalism to a cold and inhospitable environment. Here we are facing the deployment of a style that aims to be more human and welcoming.
functional and charming
To respond to a specific need to have a house ready quickly, with reduced production costs but without losing beauty in design, functionality and accessibility, the Italian company Leap Factory has designed the LeapHouse. With it, the client has the possibility of set up the house you need and you can pay starting from a base model.
With two floors, the interior can vary according to personal needs. It is made mostly of wood and with a rectangular shape and an “A” ceiling is quite attractive visually despite its simplicity. In addition, the company guarantees a delivery time of around eight weeks. A different and modern way of thinking about a living space that is functional as well as welcoming.
An instant cardboard house
Cardboard is a material that has been progressively incorporated into interior design and construction and that, today, already makes it possible to offer safe, durable and weather-resistant homes. This supposes a plus of sustainability for the architecture since, although it seems difficult to believe, cardboard can be used as a base for ultra resistant wood that can last 100 years.
In this way, Wikkelhouse is a house made with corrugated cardboard which has been glued with an ecological adhesive and through a quality construction process. The layers of cardboard and glue create a type of insulation which, in turn, is protected by a waterproof and breathable film called Miotex and covered by wooden cladding panels on the outside.
Inside, the house is lined with plywood for a minimalist yet warm and welcoming effect. As a whole, the construction is about 4.5 m wide and is full of optional built-in details like shelving, desks, countertops kitchen or showers. Additional ones can be added or the plan can be changed depending on the user’s needs.
Each Wikkelhouse is built in the company’s workshop in Amsterdam and then it is transported to the place that the buyer chooseswithout the need for a base. It takes only one day to assemble it.
A spectacular house in eight hours
ÖÖD is a Brick & Wonder design, a small but comfortable prefabricated house with two striking features. The first is that installation takes just eight hours. The second is mirror walls that integrate it into its natural environment in a spectacular way.
If the outside is already attractive, inside there are also several details to gain functionality, comfort and space that surprise and that can also inspire us to look for similar solutions in our homes.
The mirrored glass walls, three of the four in the house, make the natural light flows into the interior and, at the same time, the house is perfectly integrated into the environment, reflecting its own landscape. It is a space designed especially for vacations or moments of leisure and relaxationwhich is why it has a hot tub outside and special areas for resting and reading inside the house itself.
Functionally, they stand out beds under beds that, occupying the space of only one during the day, allow guests to sleep comfortably. Also noteworthy is the bathroom, which is separated from the common areas of the house with opaque glass.
Smart and futuristic tiny houses
It is already available in Spain Cube 2, from the company Nestron House, a sustainable and design mini-house that costs around 45,000 euros. It consists of a single portable module of 24 square meters Y It is designed in detail to be comfortable, but also safe.
It has been made of steel and other top quality materials to ensure safety, even in case of earthquakes or in case of fire, since the material of the outer wall has a fire resistance of more than 2 hours and the inner wall has a fire resistance of more than 1 hour. In addition, according to the manufacturer, it has sound insulation greater than that which can be enjoyed in five-star hotels.
The house also has thermal isolation and it is not necessary to lay a foundation to be installed. Finally, it is totally sustainable, since 90% of the materials used in its construction process are recyclable, and it has solar panels so that it can be self-sufficient. An important detail so that it can be installed on a site without an electrical connection, or simply to save on electricity bills at a time when the price of electricity is absolutely skyrocketing.
Deluxe
Kub’s house K202101 (which will take five months to manufacture and install) is a prefabricated modular design house with two floors and a total area of 287m² that includes four bedrooms, three bathrooms and basement garage. It is made up of three lower modules of different dimensions, a large upper one and a large garden with a swimming pool.
On the ground floor of the house there is a spacious living-dining room next to a large kitchen. We also find the master suite, a bedroom, a laundry area and a study area. If we go up to the first floor, we find another spacious living room along with two bedrooms and a bathroom.
Photos | Freehand architecture, LumiPod, Building Blocks, Muji, Wikklehouse, LeapHouse, ÖÖD, Kub’s and Nestron House.