Our highly scientific reader survey revealed that you want to see more flying houses! So here you go – and as a bonus, we’ll throw in some heavy machinery. It is this very image of prefab that many of us dream about: a modern, elegant, minimal space, gliding through the air, gently touching down where there was once only a blank lot o’ dreams. The delivery guys plug in a few hoses, collect a signature, and drive away with a smile – just like the guys who delivered your washing machine.
In alignment with that dream, Espaciao Minga and the design firm of F3 Arquitectos have developed this compelling prototype known as the Minga. We’re a little rusty on our indigenous Chilean languages, but word on the street is that “Minga” means something along the lines of “an act done by a community for the benefit of a single family”.
The Minga is available in seven configurations to meet the needs of business, institutional, and residential clients. The construction process occurs over 30 days in assembly line fashion – and with an adequately prepared site, it can be installed in one day. Although there is no specific mention of sustainable materials, this prototype exploits the most efficient production methods through factory assembly, and several photos have shown that installation of the Minga keeps damage to the site at a minimum.
We were captivated by two other F3 Arquitectos projects, as compact, yet creative structures. For a less-is-more religious experience, check out the Capilla Fuente Nueva. And for the stargazing Bucky-fanatic in all of us, see the Ecodomos for the eco-friendly vacation getaway Elqui Domos in Chile.
9 Responses to “PREFAB FRIDAY: F3 Arquitectos’ Minga”
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No pics of the bedroom? They don’t even have them on their site. Anyone have any?
Would not sell very well in the UK, Minga (Minger) means downright ugly. Other than that, a nice use of space
muy bien por estos arquitectos chilenos,
barry, in chile minga is a activity of the south of chile (chiloe, exactly), where the people move their house over a woods to other places, all their neighbour help them.
Possible solution to supplying adequate shelter for all – how much does a Minga cost in Canadian dollars?
Also, would this still be an energy efficient housing option in colder regions – probably not. Love the minimal look and feel to this Chilean concept!
Fantastic project! Its wonderfull to see design for the greater good.
Nice design. It’s been around for a few years. I think that the real potential and serious co$t saving with designs like these is to buld them using site constructed modlues. The ‘Studio 804′ Modulor 1, 2 and 3 designs use this ‘module’ concept . So does Andrew Maynard’s ‘Prefab’ project . Being able to purchase ‘generic’ plans of these units and using then cost efferctive (local ?) contractors to assemble and link these modules together ‘on site’ would enable tremendous cost savings. Anchoring these units with TandemLoc fasteners , on either concrete pads or steel rails attached to concrete piers, would render them to be secure yet easily portable. Following this approach, a nice one bedroom module might cost less than $40,000.00 US to build. Not bad.
On the ‘plans’ front… most decent contractors could reverse engineer these designs anyway… so maybe the ‘plans’ being available for purchase are not so essential ???
Keep going Espacio Minga ! Nice design !
Richie
So… How long do you think there’s an IKEA like superstore for prefab housing?
do the inhabitants of modular homes not watch tv or do laundry?
i am very interested in finding an affordable house for me and my wife that it expandable down the road.
so far the wee house is all i can find, not that thats not a viable option
christapher
christapherwayne@mac.com
Thank you Nicolás for the “minga” explanation. All of these projects must have the political consideration. They are a fast answer to a catastrophe.