2by4 Architects announces new prefab small home

 

2by4 Architects' prefab cabins start at €75,000 (US$95,570) (Image: 2by4 Architects)

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Last year we reported on 2by4 Architects' Recreational Island House, a particularly appealing vacation home constructed on a small island in Loosdrecht, the Netherlands. The Dutch firm received such positive feedback for the project that it was inspired to launch a series of prefabricated small homes based on the design. They're now ready for market and can serve as an office, vacation home, or full-time dwelling, and operate either on- or off-grid.

2by4 Architects launched the prefabricated line very recently, and the first units are still under construction – so all we have to feast our eyes on right now are some renders. A company rep assured us that the finished cabins will look a lot like the original Recreational Island House they're based upon.

There are three models of small home in all: the smallest, Chalet Aida, comprises a floorspace of 21 sq m (226 sq ft), and features a double-height living room with a large glass facade at the front that slides open. The interior layout differs from the Recreational Island House and includes a small bedroom with double bed, and a loft bed that sleeps two people and is accessible via ladder. In addition to some storage space, there's also a basic kitchen with fridge, sink, and two-burner electric stove, plus a small bathroom area with toilet and shower.

The larger Chalet Tosca and Chalet Nabucco homes measure 39 sq m (319 sq ft) and 48 sq m (516 sq ft) respectively, and are similar to Chalet Aida, sporting the same sliding facade and basic design. However, instead of a loft bed, both feature a mezzanine area and a slightly different interior layout.

All three models are constructed using a wooden frame, walls, and roof, and sport double-glazed windows and a painted white interior as standard, though the firm says it can customize the cabins with a range of materials, finishes, and insulation options to suit. The cabins also include an electric heat pump system for heating and cooling, along with optional off-grid tech such as solar panels, composting toilet, and a rainwater collection system.

Prices start at €75,000 (US$95,570) for a fully kitted-out Chalet Aida, rising to €85,000 ($108,314) for the largest Chalet Nabucco. The cabins are expandable in length, at a cost of €5,000 ($6,371) per 1.2 m (4 ft), and can also be purchased at a lower cost as a bare shell.

Source: 2by4 Architects Share