For several years now, the Czech company Pin-Up Houses has been creating tiny mobile homes that are available to everyone, because their cost is quite democratic. A new model has recently been completed based on a freight container. Despite its small size, the house is as functional as possible, completely non-volatile and equipped with a rainwater collection and purification system. And for those who dream of building such a house on their own, the developers are ready to provide drawings for a nominal fee.
The search for alternative ways to organize comfortable housing pushes architects and designers to create unique models that, although they cannot boast of spacious living areas, are in no way inferior in functionality to a traditional house. For example, specialists from the Czech company Pin-Up Houses, specializing in the development of tiny apartments, have recently improved the existing model by developing a new Gaia house based on a cargo container measuring 6, 05x2, 43 m.
The modification of the metal structure began from the fact that it was necessary to improve the thermal and noise insulation characteristics of the object so that it could be lived in it at any time of the year. For this, foamed insulation was used, a galvanized metal roof was installed, extending beyond the structure of the house, and the interior decoration was made of spruce plywood. Additional protection from bad weather or strong winds can be provided by a folding terrace, which can be lowered using a mechanical winch, creating additional living space. Well, the rest of the time it serves as a protection, allowing you to even "mothball" the house if you are planning a long absence, because it is in front of a glass sliding door.
To avoid the oppressive feeling due to its small size, the hinged door is also provided in the house, which is located at the end of the container. In good weather, you can safely open it and enjoy the flow of light, warmth and beautiful views. The rest of the time, you will have to be content with a combined living space, in which the entrance hall, living room, bedroom, dining room and home office occupy the open part of the house.
The main area has a sofa bed, a folding table that can be raised as unnecessary and built-in storage systems. There is also a wood-burning stove, which will provide warmth in cold weather and create a special atmosphere of home comfort.
But the mini-kitchen, in which there was a place for a work area, a hob, a refrigerator and a sink, is separated from the living area with the help of built-in furniture made of spruce plywood. The improvised wall has become a storage place for both kitchen utensils and various necessary things and items that can be hidden without setting up landfills in a tiny space.
Despite the fact that the area of the house is very tiny, there was also a place for a full-fledged bathroom with a toilet. Without changing the style of decoration, the vertical and horizontal planes were sheathed with natural wood, impregnated with special solutions, so that it could be used in a wet area.
The Gaia container house has enough off-grid equipment, which allows it to be installed in natural areas without being tied to central communications. To provide residents with electricity, there are 3 165 W solar panels, as well as a 400 W wind generator, which are located on the roof. These devices are connected to the smart home system, which monitors the charge level of storage devices, current energy consumption, charging speed, etc.
The convenience of introducing intelligent technologies lies in the fact that most of the processes can be controlled remotely using a mobile application. But to provide the owners of the tiny house with water, a reservoir for collecting and storing rainwater (holds 1,000 liters), a purification system and a water pump are installed.
Help from Novate.ru: Pin-Up Houses claims that the house was created as part of an experiment to study consumer demand and is not yet a sale. However, if orders are received, they will execute them (at the request of the client, they can add / change). The cost in this configuration will be about $ 21 thousand. For those who want to build such an alternative housing for a country holiday on their own, the company's specialists recommend purchasing design drawings for 190 dollars.
Ordinary shipping containers can be used to create more than just tiny apartments designed for temporary residence. In New Zealand, for example, a whole mansion was built, the basis of which there are 12 containers, transformed into a luxurious country residence.