The Resiliency of Prefabs: Modular Homes For Extreme Environments
/Maybe you've always dreamed of having a home way out in the mountains, but wondered how you would get the infrastructure to such a remote area. Or perhaps climate change leading to more natural disasters has you considering the sturdiness of your current home.
Because they're built to be transported and lifted with cranes, pre-fabricated modular homes are inherently suited to extreme terrain and more intense weather conditions.
In this article, we spotlight some beautiful prefabs nestled in far out, less hospitable locales.
Snøhetta's Gapahuk
We've mentioned the incredible designs of Snøhetta before, and yes - they even build prefabs!
“ Combining tradition and innovation, Gapahuk is designed to be a readymade cabin that fits into nearly any scenery – whether it’s placed in the mountains, in the forest or by the sea. Focus has been put on designing a cabin that is flexible with regards to wind and sun conditions, and which can adapt to various terrains and environments. ”
The asymmetrical roof provides a shield to strong winds on one side, while allowing for plenty of sunlight and spectacular views on the other side of the home.
Designed to be a readymade cabin with the ability to fit into any environment, the Gapahuk imbibes style into even the most rugged of landscapes.
Tasmanian Eco-prefab
Lingering over 150 miles off the coast of Australia, Tasmania is a pristine but untamed land.
Homeowner David Burns worked with Misho + Associates to design a sustainable eco-friendly prefab home that would be able to conform to the landscape and withstand the ocean winds which can blow in at up to 60 mph!
Photo by Lucas Allen.
Read more: An Off-the-Grid Prefab that Combines Open Plan Living with Rugged Durability
Rural House
Located on the rugged and picturesque Isle of Skye off Scotland's northwest coast, Rural House is bringing modern modular design to a very rural and ancient feeling landscape.
“Our contemporary, sustainable and prefabricated houses are purpose designed for rigours of the highlands and islands...”
French Island Off-Grid Prefab
About forty miles off the coast of Melbourne, Australia lies French Island, and there's really only one way to get there - by ferry.
The area is so remote that there isn't even a local council, and the home certainly needed to be self-sustaining. The homeowners worked with Ecoliv to design and construct an eco-friendly prefab home that they then transported to the site via a three-day ferry ride!
“We chose to go prefab because it consolidated most of the logistics into three days of moving, rather than months of ferries and barges for materials and manpower.”
Photo by Jaime Diaz-Berrio. Read more: It Took Three Days to Ferry This Off-the-Grid Prefab to Its Remote Australian Site
“Prefabrication allowed us to quickly and cost-effectively get an architecture standard of finish in a very remote place.”
If you're considering living a remote lifestyle close to nature, prefab homes are a terrific housing option to facilitate this dream in style!
And if you're wanting to do so in North America, HAVEN can make this a reality for you. Get in touch with us! We'd love to hear your dream!
