While not officially tiny, the structural design and energy efficiency of the Haven by Reno, Nevada based Envirohaven may make it the home of the future. The 1,550 square foot home package is designed to waste as little material as possible and can be completely off-grid—an addition the Envirohaven group calls the “Life System.”
The current Haven is a model built by Greg and Vicki Bischoff of Suncrest Builders, Inc. Greg’s vision was to create a smaller, simple, cost-effective and energy efficient home for more remote living conditions. The patent pending home prefab package, made of EPS foam and a green, water soluble exterior stucco coating, can be assembled anywhere for under $75 a square foot. The sphere-like house encloses the greatest amount of living area with the least amount of surface area and fewer materials needed for construction. The Haven is different from a typical geodesic dome in that it utilizes more interior space. Other unique features of the Haven include a centralized core mechanical area allowing for shorter plumbing and electrical runs which increases efficiency, and an optional space heating feature incorporated into panels in the structure.
The Haven package includes the following:
• Site specific engineered plans including site plan, floor plans and elevations, foundation and framing plans, electrical plan, etc. Plans are guaranteed for local building department approval.
• Partially assembled wall sections, complete hardware package for assembly
• Dual pane, low-e energy-efficient windows
• Solid core exterior doors
• Pre-cut metal roofing for long lasting durability
• Exterior siding that will provide a fire, weather resistant and flexible coating
• Siding and roofing materials
• Detailed construction manuals, videos, and remote electronic assistance are available for owner-builders as well as licensed general contractors desiring to purchase unfinished packages.
• Customized site specific options available for all customers.
The Haven’s Life System includes a Solar PV and Solar Thermal equipment for hot water, radiant baseboard or underfloor heating systems, an alternate heat source in the form of a wood burning or pellet stove, and a grey water recycling program.
Photos courtesy of Envirohaven
By Christina Nellemann for the [Tiny House Blog]
WHERE ARE THE PHOTOGRAPHS, SO THAT WE CAN SEE INSIDE THIS PLACE???
Interesting concept. I wonder if you could do something more sculptural with the outside after it’s built?
I am curious to see how the furniture is arranged. I can imagine it must be difficult to utilize all of those tight corners.
I would love to see inside! I could look at eco homes all day.
Hayley
ElizabethsForrest.blogspot.com
Interesting design, but it looks like there are windows into the large, wrap around, walk-in closet. Where does the set of steps in the doorway of the upper bedroom go?
I am local and would like to see these models – can you tell us where they are?
I met one of these folks a couple of years ago – congrats, Bischoffs!
Both lower bedrooms have to walk through the house to get the bathroom? This isn’t a great design layout in the sense of the flow of using the rooms.
Same with the laundry, carry loads from all three bedrooms through the kitchen and living room doesn’t seem well thought out. I think a man designed this without a asking a woman who is usually stuck doing the cleaning etc about practicality.
Very cool design!
Some of the “flow” issues comes with the design. This is not a run of the mill house. And we have W/D in the basement, and have to carry laundry all the way from the furthest away bedroom, to the stairs, and then all the way back to the W/D, located essentially under the bedroom. No issues at all, takes like 15 seconds, which I have.
As for furnishing the inside, we stayed in a large dome last summer. Amazingly clean and easy to furnish, even though there really were not a straight wall anywhere (everything was curved).
Can recommend this place in BC for those interested: http://www.domequixote.com/
(although their photos really do not do the place justice, many more out on Tripadvisor, Yelp, etc)
I do. not. understand. why eco friendly homes can’t just look like normal homes.
STAY AWAY!!! Had a horrible business dealing with the Sales/Marketing Manager. Covered up product damage with what turned out to be very poor craftsmanship, and was deceitful on representing what he was selling. If that is how he conducts business and what he considers quality construction, I certainly wouldn’t want to buy a home from him. BUYER BEWARE!!!