Bellomo Architects, in Palo Alto, wanted to design an IKEA-like house, only easier to put together. Just like the Swedish company’s famous furniture, this 150 square foot modular structure can be flat-packed and delivered in a box that is only 4x10x3 feet in size. When complete, it only weighs 3,000 lbs. and can be used as shelter after natural disasters, as a backyard studio or office, or as a tiny house.
The House Arc is made of 90 percent recyclable lightweight steel tubes and is designed to be totally off-grid. It has a solar roof and large windows to capture natural light and create a cross-breeze through its curvy shape. The shading trellis limits heat infiltration and the unit is is raised up to permit air flow beneath the framework. The entire unit has been constructed to withstand tropical winds and weather. Several units housing differing rooms can be placed together to create a larger structure.
The current base price of the House Arc is about $55,000 and can be put together by about 3 or 4 people in a few days. Bellomo wants to automate the production process, which should cut the price by about half. Options for the modular home include plumbing, a ceiling fan and solar panels for the roof. The House Arc was featured in this year’s Sunset Magazine’s Celebration Weekend in Menlo Park, Calif.
Photos courtesy of Bellomo ArchitectsBy Christina Nellemann for the [Tiny House Blog]