The Exbury Egg: a home or workplace shaped like an egg, built from natural resources and inspired by nesting seabirds. You might think you are dreaming, but it exists in the United Kingdom. An egg with the size of a small student dorm, created from wood, floating on the Beaulieu river in the UK. Are you familiar with this piece of art? What is this egg? On the shore of the river Beaulieu, you will find a teeny tiny house called the Exbury Egg, designed by Stephen Turner. The artist created the egg with the help of PAD studios and SPUD design studios. Turner designed the egg as an artwork, a place where you both can work and sleep, a place to think, to explore life around you. The egg is a kind of boat, tethered in the Beaulieu river in Exbury, rising and falling with the tide. A calendar of all seasons You can see the egg as a blueprint of life: an egg symbolises new life, renewal, protection and fragility. The cool thing about the egg is that it is made of wood, so it evolves and changes by time, as the wind scours it, and the sea bleaches it. How does it look like?
 You can see at the picture above that it is an egg-shaped building . Inside you will find Turner’s collection of found objects, digital imagery of his surroundings and personal maps. The egg has all the necessities you need, such as a desk, a hammock to relax, a kitchen with a stove and sink. There is no running water, but the artist was smart to use a hosepipe. He made use of solar charges because there is also no electricity. Besides a workspace and a tiny home to stay, the Exbury Egg is also an educational tool, and local students are observing the design, the “building”, and the installation of the egg. What was Turner’s main goal? Turner wanted to develop something with natural elements so we can re-appraise the way we live. He hoped, with this egg-shaped building made out of wood, that we adequately consider sustainability as the future use of natural resources. The artist is interested in exploring a more empathetic relationship with nature, which shows the valuable and natural cycles and processes, and the relationship of the environment with the narratives of human activity. https://www.whatsorb.com/solution/tiny-houses/tinyhouses  

A Dutch design firm has redefined living by creating a tiny house that doesn’t need a foundation, can be built in one day and is three times more sustainable than a normal house. The Wikkelhouse, designed by Fiction Factory in Amsterdam, is built by snapping multiple 1.2 meter (4 feet) wide sections together. Each section is made by wrapping a basic house shape with curved edges in 24 layers of cardboard that are glued together. The sections are then finished with waterproof, breathable foil and covered with a layer of wood paneling for extra protection. Wikkelhouse is a cutting-edge  sustainable house Using cardboard as its main building material, Wikkelhouse is a cutting-edge sustainable house with a beautiful design and exceptional constructive strength, the website explains. With the flexible construction process, a house can range from the standard order of three sections to as many as desired. Each section of the Wikkelhouse only weighs 500 kilos (1,100 pounds). It can be taken apart and moved easily when you want to relocate or remodel. You can place the house on the beach, in your backyard or even on top of a building, Fiction Factory boasts. Despite being lightweight, the Wikkelhouse is durable and has a minimum life span of 50 years. The wood outer layer is designed to protect the house from all types of weather elements and events . The cardboard layers also provide maximum insulation, cutting down on energy costs for the owner. The Wikkelhouse is designed to accommodate a kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms, making it fully functional. Customers can pick the inside wall and floor design as well as glazed or opaque facades. Fiction Factory only produces 12 homes a year to maintain optimum quality control, each selling for 25.000,00 Euros or around $28.000,00. There is a waiting list for orders. {youtube} https://www.whatsorb.com/solution/tiny-houses/tinyhouses

Dutch architectural firm +31Architects has designed a series of solar-powered houseboats, with plans to complete the first prototypes by the end of the year in partnership with German manufacturer WSM Die Wohnschiff-Manufaktur. Dubbed Naturecruiser and Waterloft, these innovative motorized floating homes are designed as fully equipped houseboats but with the added benefit of being able to cruise the surrounding lakes or rivers. Innovative  solar powered floating home According to +31Architects there is a growing market for this type of motorized floating home, which allows its habitants to enjoy the joys of sailing the waters without leaving their living room. The Naturecruiser and Waterloft can therefore be moored at a fixed berth, or the trusses can easily be unloaded, allowing the vessels to travel to nearby ports, marinas or larger lakes. "It all started with a dream to live on the water and at the same time have the opportunity to move at any moment to discover new places," Jorrit Houwert, architect at +31Architects tells New Atlas. "We wanted to create a modern houseboat that is at the same time a ship that distinguished itself by its natural appearance. We are proud that were able to create a slender monolithic shape, where the hull seamlessly changes into the roof, combined with its big windows and the natural wooden look!" Stepping away from traditional bulky houseboat designs, the Naturecruiser and Waterloft have adopted similar design features from larger luxury ships. Both concepts include a streamlined facade with rounded curves, wooden carpentry throughout and an aluminum hull to protect and preserve the vessel over time. Solar panels and solar collectors will be fitted on the roofs of the homes, which according to the designers can generate enough energy and warm water to render the houseboats fully self-sufficient when moored. The houseboat with hybrid electric- and hydrogen engine Photo by: + 31Architects The houseboats will be initially equipped with a hybrid electric engine, with plans to include a  hydrogen engine in future models. The onboard water and sewerage system takes water from the lake or river and is then filtered onboard with a purification system. "Our models for motorized houseboats are fully equipped within the available customizable length, including a hybrid electric propulsion, solar-panels, battery-pack, a pellet-powered underfloor heating system and ecological water treatment. Our goal is to also use as much as possible low impact (biological isolation) materials," says Houwert"Including solid wood and no EPS/XPS or mineral wools," adds Marcel Neugebauer, founder and CEO at WSM Die Wohnschiff-Manufaktur. Floating houses floorplan The 15-meter (49-ft) Naturecruiser features a compact floor plan and can host up to eight guests when cruising or 16 guests when moored. The 24-m (79-ft) Waterloft boasts a generous floorplan and includes clever storage space under the deck. Waterloft can host 25 guests when cruising or 50 guests when moored. The single–level motorized houseboats have a comfortable interior living space ranging between 50 sq m (538 sq ft) and 125 sq m (1,345 sq ft). Depending on the length of the model, the houseboats come with either two or three bedrooms; an open living room and kitchen; bathroom complete with sauna, shower and separate toilet; large roof and deck terraces; and all furnishings and equipment to live year-round on the boat. The floorplans and design of both homes feature large floor-to-ceiling windows throughout, allowing an abundance of natural light to filter through the home during the day. Guests can enjoy outward water views from almost every room on board or relax outdoors on the sunny roof terrace, semi-shaded front deck or small terrace located on the back deck. Photo by: + 31Architects Floating houses sales price "We believe that living on water could be a next step to combine areas which are under pressure from flooding into retention areas by managing it into liveable living areas without leaving a scar on the natural environment," says Houwert. "We have plans for more next-level designs, coming up with ways to live a sustainable life on water in an ecological way. Stay tuned!" Starting prices for the Naturecruiser and Waterloft are €535,000 (US$602,663) and €899,000 (US$1,012,700), respectively, and both versions can be modified to suit specific customer requests. There are also plans for a fixed mooring luxury version called Watervilla, which would be a 205-sq m (2,206-sq ft) floating home priced from €899,000 (US$1,012,700). WSM Die Wohnschiff-Manufaktur will build the first prototypes of the Naturecrusiser and Waterloft in Germany, with completion anticipated for the end of 2019. Sources:  +31Architects ,  WSM Die Wohnschiff-Manufaktur  via  Designboom https://www.whatsorb.com/category/tiny-houses

Founder, architect and designer Joshua Woodsman, founder, architect and designer of the Pin-Up Houses, had the dream to build his own house. He believes every man shares this dream and wants to build his own home. Woodsman’s little house, a kind of cabin, is the place that meets all your dreams and wishes. His focus is on style, but at the same time, he also shows the functionality of the cabin. Woodsman shows that his cabin is really different from the rest. He illustrates this with his design down to the last detail. What is a Pin-Up House? A Pin-Up House is similar to a Tiny House, yet easier to build and with attractive designs. They are typically small houses, built with sheer simplicity. These compact tiny houses offer a cosy environment, creating an intimacy that you will miss in a large house. These Pin-Up Houses are perfect for people looking for a smart, flexible, cost-effective and energy saving home. Small houses are less expensive and easier to build, heat, cool, clean and maintain. The Pin-Up Houses are easy to build because they have easy-to-follow-plans. The plans outline the whole process in detail. You can use a Pin-Up House as holiday accommodation, an office, a guesthouse or whatever you like. Why live in a Tiny House or Pin-Up House? Living in a Tiny House or Pin-Up House is different than living in a normal home. It is an alternative way of living where people design and build compact, intelligent and mobile homes. Living in a Tiny House goes hand in hand with creativity and freedom. It offers a whole new lifestyle: You will get more space! More space in your wallet, to do stuff and to be less chaotic. Because the space is not that big, it will be easy to maintain and clean the space. A clean home means a happy mind. In addition, because you live smaller, you simply live cheaper, more economical and more consciously. And the best thing is that you can live wherever you like! You can take your home everywhere. Living on the road in your own home? Yes! This house, built on a flat trailer, can be driven on the road. The Magenta Tiny House The Magenta Pin-Up House is built by Joshua Woodsman. The pink Magenta is proof of temporary independent housing, without the debts and loans of a ‘normal’ house. The Magenta is built on a flat trailer, it has a heat insulated wooden structure on all sides of the cabin. This sounds both nice and cosy in summer- and wintertime. Because of the large window, you will easily get enough sunlight into the living space. The Magenta is made of lightweight materials, spruce beams and waterproof plywood, so it is transportable. The flat trailer can be used as a porch, where you can drink your morning coffee or read the newspaper. The interior The pink Magenta has a built-in kitchenette, a sofa, heating stoves, and a chemical toilet. Do you ever wonder how all of this fits in a small cabin? this all fits in these cabins? The Pin-Up Houses make convenient use of storage space. They created space to use built-in furniture in the cabin to store things in there. Stretched nets hang from the ceiling, so you can hang or place things in them that you do not use every day. Better for you and the earth? There are a few things a Pin-Up House offers which a normal house does not offer. For example, if you live in a small home wherever you like, you can opt for nature. You feel more connected with nature because you are more surrounded by it. The house has not a great impact on the earth, because you will consume less. It is all about to settle for less, what really matters. We live in a consuming society: everything has to be expensive and big, labelled with a brand. But if you think about what is really important, that you can live with less, you will get a different view on life. You can live in a sustainable way and thus contribute to a better world. https://www.whatsorb.com/category/tiny-houses

The idea of tiny floating houses is not quite as revolutionary as it was some years ago. That is not to say that we cannot be impressed by the new startups that flaunt their unique take on the concept, often surprising with their refreshingly new interpretations. One of those concepts was launched by the Spanish startup Punta Del Mar. This collaboration between a local innovation hub and an architecture firm has led to a so-called marina lodge experiment - in the form of a plain, sturdy houseboat solution that will allow users to plug in and plug out when needed. What this means? Well, you get to alternate between plugging in to make it a semi-permanent residence or temporary lodge, fixing it in place in a marina or a hotel waterfront; and plugging out, where it basically functions as a naval caravan that lets you explore seas, rivers and lakes. Sustainable boating which stayes in one place   The first option is a great solution for hotels, campgrounds or marinas that are looking to add capacity during high season, or even to function as a permanent extension of its accommodation. The houseboat only takes up very limited space, yet provides great comfort to those given the privilege of staying in it. At the same time, it is a good way of showing that you are concerned with the environment and looking to do well. Although the claims as to how are somewhat fuzzy, Punta Del Mar is dedicated to sustainable boating and employs a green production process that involves the use of recycled, durable materials for building the houseboat.   Move around sustainably The second solution might work well for adventurers, retirees and holidaymakers all at the same time. If you opt for plugging out your houseboat, you will be able to use it much like a caravan, only on the water. It can rather easily be transported both over land as well as towed on water, allowing you to quite literally plug and go. This will let you explore the most gorgeous places that our earth has to offer. After charging the lithium batteries, the fully automated on-board system takes over to create a connected boat. Whether you are controlling it in situ or remotely, all systems on board will be at your fingertips, including safety measures that can detect and fix simple damages. This makes it a ‘smart’ houseboat, hooked up to an app for its lighting, temperature and sound features.   Great interior providing all basic needs Measuring some 74 square meters, it offers a rather comfortable living area. This surface area is divided over two floors, making it suitable for 2 persons in its standard configuration. This includes a fancy master bedroom with en suite bathroom on the first level, with doors opening out onto your private deck terrace.   The second level is the designated ‘chill-out deck’, that can be equipped with comfortable lounge furniture. Guests can sit back and relax, while enjoying great views over the water. It can be accessed through an interior set of stairs, as such easily extending living space outdoors. The houseboat is really playing up this element of outdoor living as it is, since it is keen on letting in plenty of sunlight through floor-to-ceiling windows. All the while, privacy is guaranteed through semi-open cladding of vertical slats. Efficient use of water and energy Punta Del Mar claims that their houseboat is a floating piece of sustainable engineering. Energy consumption is reduced through the use of passive systems, optimising the heat distribution, while water reservoirs are designed to minimise waste. One of the bolder statements as made by the manufacturer is that it is ‘fully immersive and environment-friendly’, which they explain by saying:   “ Visitors seek unique experiences, memorable trips and destinations moving away from mass tourism. This growing concept of tourism is committed to sustainability. Integration with the environment and exclusivity plays a fundamental role. Moreover, getting space from the sea in a respectful manner is an excellent option to increase available space in an innovative and disruptive way.” Maybe not the most sustainable , but intriguing nonetheless Yes, most people will claim that it is merely another fun toy for those who have the money to enjoy it, pointing at the extra waste that having it transported will generate. Additionally, even though Punta Del Mar is repeatedly mentioning its focus on sustainability, its exact carbon footprint remains unknown.   Having said that, we are certainly excited about its slick appeal and premise. Mock-up photos showing entire marinas and hotel waterfronts filled with those houseboats are a sight to behold, perhaps offering a sneak preview of what might be a good solution in years to come if the sea levels continue to rise.   https://www.whatsorb.com/category/tiny-houses