The other day I previewed faberhaus Pavillon, a 376-square foot eco cottage on display at the Montreal Cottage & Country Home Show. Designed and built by Faberca, faberhaus gives folks a self-sufficient living space in the country. In other words, no electrical grid connection is necessary with solar power for the LED lights and propane power for the fridge, hydronic radiant heat, and everything else.
Tiny houses are popping up all over the country. Students at Green Mountain College built one with reclaimed materials last semester. They spent $1,927 on materials, acquiring insulation at half price and lumber and windows from the local salvage store. The 8-foot by 12-foot house still needs a solar-powered electrical system, which will be installed early next year.
Italian architect Flavio Galvagni of Lab Zero sent us some information on this calming, woodsy cabin that he designed and built with the help of Raffaelli Contract. The tiny eco hut — roughly 12.5′ wide x 14.5′ long x 10.75′ tall — can be used as a mini-lodge, mountain shelter, meditation space, or temporary dwelling. It’s easily transportable and both off-grid and off-pipe.
The shedworking movement is growing with folks nixing the daily commute by carving out a little extra space at home. One way to do this is with a YardPod, which is fabricated in a solar-powered factory in Rohnert Park, California. YardPods are framed in light-gauge, recycled-content steel, insulated with recycled-content, natural cotton fiber, and covered with a cool roof. Flooring can be either bamboo or cork. A 10′x12′ DIY model starts at $2,100, while a complete kit starts at $11,000, not including tax or delivery.
Speaking of tiny prefabs, Modern Cabana — the same company behind last year’s Sunset Modern Cottage Idea House — has a 10′x12′ demo cabana for sale. The UC 10×12 model retails from $16,375, but this demonstration version is selling with a 25% discount. The Modern Cabana includes a french door, clear cedar siding, denim wall insulation, rigid roof insulation, maple interior paneling, and bamboo flooring.
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