Australian prefab builder FABPREFAB and Trias Studio have teamed up to bring us Minima, a unique prefab cabin designed to bring innovative, sustainable, and quality prefab architecture to more people.
Previously, the studios teamed up to work on Slate Cabin, a hiking cabin in Snowdonia National Park in Wales. This time, FABPREFAB reached out to Trias to create a similar micro-dwelling that would fit on standard trucks bed for easier transport.
In the same breath, they commissioned fellow Australian studio Chrofi Architects to build a small-footprint prefab home, which resulted in the Courtyard House, a sleek off-grid interpretation of a traditional Australian rural home. (The beautiful executed build is now available to rent on Airbnb.)
Trias’ took the opportunity to put their own spin on the prefab wave to elevate the interior and combat what they see as a growing standard in the market-small openings, standard materials, and cheap detailing.
Besides employing several floor-to-ceiling windows, the Minima model features two entries on either side for ease of access and to lessen potential claustrophobia some tiny houses can encourage. A small but powerful design move in our humble opinion.
The Minima has a couple of other tricks up its figurative sleeve-both interior and exterior elements can be folded and slid to create numerous configurations to suit a user’s needs. A grand screen-like wood-paneled door slides open to reveal a layer of glass doors and beyond that, a sheer curtain. A trundle bed and desk folds down from the back wall. Internal pocket doors are used to save space.
And perhaps the most exciting feature-an incredible amount of storage. Overhead shelving even runs the perimeter of the space. How’s that for detailing.
To decrease cost, waste, and to create a uniform interior look, limited materials were used, of which Victorian ash is the most prominent, while CLT panels were used to build much of the structure more efficiently.
Four 260 sq ft Minima models are available ranging from the standard Minima^1, to The Hangout, a relaxed space with plenty of seating. At 775 sq ft, the Minima^2 and The Two-For-One combine two Minima capsules to create T-shaped homes, perfect for a small family, a weekend vacation home, or simply, those looking for more space in town.
Minima models range from $130,000 to $250,000, excluding delivery and site preparation. They can be built in under 12 weeks and are currently available throughout Australia.
Meanwhile, we’ll be here, eagerly awaiting their arrival stateside.
Published 06-01-2021
