Microhouse Smart Module and other designs

Microhouse is a Seattle based design firm, that according to their website, includes architects, landscape architects, and designers.  They specialize, as their name suggests, in small house designs.  They promote these designs as backyard cottages or ADU's (accessory dwelling units), and they range in size from 120  up to 1,200 square feet. 

Smart Module axonometric drawing

What intrigues me most is their "Smart Module" which combines utilities, a three fixture bathroom, a full kitchen (with a real stove and real refrigerator, not just a cooktop & under counter fridge), closet space, and an actual staircase, not just a ladder, leading to a sleeping loft.  All that in a prefabricated 120 square foot package which is not mounted on a trailer.  That unit could be used as a stand-alone cabin, but it may be more practical to attach it to some additional living space.

I have seen the floor plan for this design, but I can no longer find it on the web.  Essentially, it is just as you might imagine from looking at the drawing above.  The yellow door on the far right leads to the bathroom, which has a toilet, sink, and shower.  Utilities are in the area under the stairs and behind the fridge.  They are accessed by an outside door.  

Below you will see their concept for how the module could be used, and a photo of one attached to a larger structure.

Smart Module on right, attached to larger structure.

Microhouse has many small home plans.  Another one I like is their Portland Cottage.  This is an attractive and efficient 240 square foot home design.  Below You will see both an exterior photo and the floor plan.

Portland Cottage exterior

Portland Cottage floor plan

I am quite sure that the folks at Microhouse would love to hear from you if you are interested in their designs.  At the very least, you should check-out their web site.  Just click on the link below.

http://www.microhousenw.com

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Categories: and, designs, Microhouse, Module, Other, Smart

Essential Systems Pod ESP Could Transform Other Buildings Into Homes

ESP floor plan

The ESP is a concept in development that could inexpensively simplify and speed-up the process of turning buildings such as barns, sheds, or garages into livable homes.  It could also be used to improve the lives of people living in substandard housing situations.  The ESP (Essential Systems Pod) is an 8'x20' high cube steel shipping container that would be fully insulated, and its interior would be completely finished with full kitchen, bathroom, and laundry facilities.  

Exterior

Why do this in a shipping container? Because they are inexpensive, readily available, and easily transported.  In certain communities, the ESP module could be freestanding and shared by two or more families.  Even that would be a huge upgrade to living conditions in many parts of the word.  To do that, the plan would be adjusted so that the bathroom and laundry each had separate entrance doors from the outside, and doors would be added to the kitchen entry.  By eliminating the passageway between the kitchen and bathroom, the kitchen could take on a U-shape, allowing increased storage and counter space.  Using this initial plan as a nucleus, all these adjustments would be simple to do.

ESP cross-section through kitchen

The kitchen would have a two bowl stainless steel sink, dishwasher, refrigerator, range, pantry, base cabinets, counter-top, wall cabinets, and range hood.  It would be fully wired and have outlets, switches, and lighting.  All appliances would be standard sized and the layout would be highly functional.  The design also includes lots of awning windows for natural ventilation, daylight, and views.

ESP cross-section through bathroom and kitchen

The bathroom has a standard full-sized tub/shower combination, a water conserving dual flush toilet, a 36" vanity, a linen closet, and a full-sized stacked washer/dryer.  The linen closet could be home to a tankless water heater to provide unlimited on-demand hot water for the bathroom, laundry, and kitchen.  Alternatively, a small water heater could be located in a kitchen base cabinet or in the bathroom vanity.

As I mentioned, the ESP module could be attached to an existing building, like a freestanding garage for example, to transform it into livable space.  The modules could be prefabricated so that they could be inexpensive and easily shipped just about anywhere either individually or in quantity.  In many locations they could be used to improve the quality of the housing stock considerably.  The units could either add functions the housing doesn't already have, or upgrade and replace it so that space in the existing building could function better for living, dining, and sleeping.

When attaching it to another building I think it makes sense to do so with a short corridor.  This would allow air circulation between the existing building and the new module to avoid moisture build-up and rot. It would also allow any doors and windows on the existing building to remain functional.

I made the video below to more fully explain the ESP module concept, and show it in a variety of situations.  If you enjoy the video, please "like" it on YouTube, share it and comment.

  

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Categories: buildings, Could, ESP, Essential, homes, into, Other, Pod, Systems, Transform