Tiny Houses

2by4 Architects announces new prefab small home range

2by4 Architects announces new prefab small home range
2by4 Architects' prefab cabins start at €75,000 (US$95,570) (Image: 2by4 Architects)
2by4 Architects' prefab cabins start at €75,000 (US$95,570) (Image: 2by4 Architects)
View 10 Images
2by4 Architects has only just launched the new prefab series (Image: 2by4 Architects)
1/10
2by4 Architects has only just launched the new prefab series (Image: 2by4 Architects)
A company rep assured us that the finished cabins will look a lot like the original Recreational Island House they're based upon (Image: 2by4 Architects)
2/10
A company rep assured us that the finished cabins will look a lot like the original Recreational Island House they're based upon (Image: 2by4 Architects)
The line comprises three units: Chalet Aida, Chalet Tosca, and Chalet Nabucco (Image: 2by4 Architects)
3/10
The line comprises three units: Chalet Aida, Chalet Tosca, and Chalet Nabucco (Image: 2by4 Architects)
Each of the cabins can serve as a full-time small home (Image: 2by4 Architects)
4/10
Each of the cabins can serve as a full-time small home (Image: 2by4 Architects)
The cabins include an electric heat pump system for heating and cooling, and 2by4 Architects says that it can optionally add off-grid technology (Image: 2by4 Architects)
5/10
The cabins include an electric heat pump system for heating and cooling, and 2by4 Architects says that it can optionally add off-grid technology (Image: 2by4 Architects)
The smallest Chalet Aida unit has a total floorspace of 21 sq m (226 sq ft) (Image: 2by4 Architects)
6/10
The smallest Chalet Aida unit has a total floorspace of 21 sq m (226 sq ft) (Image: 2by4 Architects)
The larger Chalet Tosca unit measures 39 sq m (319 sq ft) (Image: 2by4 Architects)
7/10
The larger Chalet Tosca unit measures 39 sq m (319 sq ft) (Image: 2by4 Architects)
The largest Chalet Nabucco unit measures 48 sq m (516 sq ft) (Image: 2by4 Architects)
8/10
The largest Chalet Nabucco unit measures 48 sq m (516 sq ft) (Image: 2by4 Architects)
2by4 Architects' prefab cabins start at €75,000 (US$95,570) (Image: 2by4 Architects)
9/10
2by4 Architects' prefab cabins start at €75,000 (US$95,570) (Image: 2by4 Architects)
All three models are based upon a wooden frame, with a painted white interior as standard and double-glazed windows (Image: 2by4 Architects)
10/10
All three models are based upon a wooden frame, with a painted white interior as standard and double-glazed windows (Image: 2by4 Architects)
View gallery - 10 images

Last year we reported on 2by4 Architects' Recreational Island House, a particularly appealing vacation home constructed on a small island in Loosdrecht, the Netherlands. The Dutch firm received such positive feedback for the project that it was inspired to launch a series of prefabricated small homes based on the design. They're now ready for market and can serve as an office, vacation home, or full-time dwelling, and operate either on- or off-grid.

2by4 Architects launched the prefabricated line very recently, and the first units are still under construction – so all we have to feast our eyes on right now are some renders. A company rep assured us that the finished cabins will look a lot like the original Recreational Island House they're based upon.

There are three models of small home in all: the smallest, Chalet Aida, comprises a floorspace of 21 sq m (226 sq ft), and features a double-height living room with a large glass facade at the front that slides open. The interior layout differs from the Recreational Island House and includes a small bedroom with double bed, and a loft bed that sleeps two people and is accessible via ladder. In addition to some storage space, there's also a basic kitchen with fridge, sink, and two-burner electric stove, plus a small bathroom area with toilet and shower.

All three models are based upon a wooden frame, with a painted white interior as standard and double-glazed windows (Image: 2by4 Architects)
All three models are based upon a wooden frame, with a painted white interior as standard and double-glazed windows (Image: 2by4 Architects)

The larger Chalet Tosca and Chalet Nabucco homes measure 39 sq m (319 sq ft) and 48 sq m (516 sq ft) respectively, and are similar to Chalet Aida, sporting the same sliding facade and basic design. However, instead of a loft bed, both feature a mezzanine area and a slightly different interior layout.

All three models are constructed using a wooden frame, walls, and roof, and sport double-glazed windows and a painted white interior as standard, though the firm says it can customize the cabins with a range of materials, finishes, and insulation options to suit. The cabins also include an electric heat pump system for heating and cooling, along with optional off-grid tech such as solar panels, composting toilet, and a rainwater collection system.

Prices start at €75,000 (US$95,570) for a fully kitted-out Chalet Aida, rising to €85,000 ($108,314) for the largest Chalet Nabucco. The cabins are expandable in length, at a cost of €5,000 ($6,371) per 1.2 m (4 ft), and can also be purchased at a lower cost as a bare shell.

Source: 2by4 Architects

View gallery - 10 images
3 comments
3 comments
Reason
Like the open gable design but question the vertical ladder access to the mezzanine.
Interesting they have filled in Gizmag before updating their own site!
Deres
Not very fond of the idea of the opposite glass facades ... If the glasses of the living room is exposed south, all the glasses of the rooms will be exposed north which is a non-sense for light and heat. If you adopt an east-west orientation, you have no exposition to south and you have to chose between morning or evening for light in the living room or the rooms ...
I think that only one glass facade would be more efficient to be exposed south and lateral/roof windows for the rooms.
Robert Walther
Does $95,000 include the bridge?