With a name like Cottage in a Day, it is easy to imagine relaxing in a serene, forested setting. And these factory-built homes designed by architect Michael Fitzhugh certainly seem to fit that role. With a rustic look that is characterized by structural insulated panels and natural wood finishes both on the interior and exterior, the home’s materials conserve resources while also being energy-efficient. Each structure is based on 14-square-foot-modules that can be arranged in various set-ups, making it possible to use this prefab system to create a shelter suitable for a weekend in the woods or as a more permanent home in a rural landscape.
The modules that make up the house are produced in a manufacturing facility in Traverse City, Michigan. Once the modules are complete, they are taken to their destination where they will only need to be set in place, insulated, and trimmed before they are ready for utilities to be connected. Like other prefabricated structures, all the plumbing, wiring, appliances, floor and wall coverings are already part of the modules leaving minimal labor and waste on site.
The cottages come in four models, from the 1414-S, which starts at $52,000 and provides basic shelter, to the 142814-L which starts at $152,400 and contains all the fixins’ for a home. All the cottages come with eco-friendly features such as Energy Star windows and bamboo flooring — and are placed on a precast concrete foundation created to cause minimal disturbance to the site.
+ Cottage in a Day
+ Michael Fitzhugh Architect
Very rustic yet modern design — really beautiful. like to envision it as a home though rather than a vacation house. It doesn’t seem terribly sustainable to be pitching all these things as extra homes. Sorry to say it, but having two homes, no matter how green and well designed they may be.
it’s what I’d call “sustainable.”
isn’t, rather. Sorry, long day!
The roof will dump all the rain water right in front of the entire entrance. Baaad idea! Especially in a snowy location, like Michigan.
Good point! Nothing like going out to get the mail and being covered with roof sludge!
rain screens for catching and re-using water are add-ons and are available for any models of Cottage in a Day. This client opted for gutters after this photo was taken.
Thanks for writing about Cottage in a Day on your blog. We certainly
appreciate the attention to all of our hard work. In an effort to keep
the record straight, Cottage in a Day is a business that hired architect
Michael Fitzhugh “to draw” a previously determined design, arrived at
through focus groups, design salons, and transportation limitations.
While Michael is a talented young architect, which is why we selected him
to be part of the team, he did not design the Cottage in a Day concept.
Thanks, and keep watching us.
Sarah Bearup-Neal
Cottage in a Day
Communications Associate
info@cottageinaday.com
New tonight to this site….looking for an already built studio space/tiny house. Is this way off base? Any such thing out there for sale?
I had a chance to recently tour the Cottage in a Day facility. The process of building these cottages seemed very comprehensive, and follows ‘no waste’ philosophies. All material waste is turned to sawdust, sorted for recycling, or sent out locally for reuse. The cutout for the wall plaque is even used to produce a key chain. It was obvious a lot of thought and design has been put into this product—I was thoroughly impressed!
I have seen these first-hand, and I have to say the potential behind the units is huge. Part of my graduate research focuses on green residential prefab, and this is one of the most comprehensive ideas I\\\’ve seen. A lot of value in this product.
What happens if it rains.