US-based Bridge Development, Corp. is behind the design for the Nano Living System and hopes to be able to provide their homes to people around the world in need of adequate housing. The Nano is built using solar-passive design and prefabricated metal Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) that are capable of supporting structures 2-4 stories high and have an insulation of R-20 at only 4″ thick. Each Nano house comes ready to the site, including wiring, plumbing, furnishings as well as any of the additional sustainable features.
Solar panels on the roof can power the mini-home, and a rainwater catchment system, grey water recycling, green roof and argon-filled windows or solar heat pumps can be added. Inside the Nano are all the basic necessities of a home, including the kitchen, bathroom, closet, dining room as well as two king size beds that built into the ceiling and drop down to rest on the dining room table and the sofa and coffee table. The interiors have been designed with traditional Chinese feng shui accents that focus on well-being within the home. And all of this inside 200 square feet! They also have a one-bedroom model that runs 325 square feet.
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Building “the world’s smallest sustainable house” is a mighty big claim, but that’s what one company says that they’ve done with their Nano Living Systems prefab. The Nano is a 200 square foot home designed to “comfortably” accommodate a family of four.
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The Nano is designed with solar passive design and built from metal, load-bearing structural insulated panels.
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The SIPs act as load bearing support, provide insulation, interior surfaces and exterior cladding. At 4″ thick, the walls have R-20 insulation.
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The Nano is designed to be powered by a solar system on the roof and can be accessed via a ladder on the side of the house.
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Additionally, solar heat pumps, green roofs, grey water, and rainwater catchment systems can be added to the home.
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There are two models, a one-bedroom and a studio, which are 200 sq feet and 325 sq feet respectively. Here is model A with the closet and bathroom sticking off in the back.
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Inside the home is designed with traditional Chinese feng shui accents and has everything necessary for a home.
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The mini-home includes a small kitchen, dining room, living room, bathroom, closet and two king size beds that drop down from the ceiling.
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Furnishings and storage are built in to make the most out of the limited space.
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The bathroom sits off to the side of the house, and a sliding cabinet moves to cover the shower or the toilet, which is right behind the cabinet in this picture.
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In Model A, two king size beds are suspended in the ceiling and then drop down into the room and rest on the dining table or the sofa and the coffee table.
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Here the king bed rests on top of the sofa and coffee table.
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Model B, is a one bedroom house and is a bit more private than the studio model.
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Here are the layouts for both Model A and Model B.
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