ARKit Prefab Eco-Homes Sit Light on the Earth

Australian prefab maker <a href="http://arkit.com.au/" target="_blank">ARKit</a> has worked hard over the past few years to fine tune their modern homes into low-impact, eco-friendly dwellings. Choose from their F or S Series (factory or site-built) <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/category/architecture/prefab-housing" target="_blank">prefabricated dwellings</a> and you can rest assured that you're getting a carefully designed product that sits light on the earth and can even achieve zero-energy if your heart so desires.

ARKit designs and manufactures factory-built buildings using a wall panel system they designed themselves that incorporates <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/category/green-materials" target="_blank">sustainable materials</a> and achieves a high degree of thermal performance.

This three room dwelling in Victoria is part of the S Series, which means it was built on-site from prefabricated parts.

This dwelling includes a primary living are, a secondary living area, as well as a bath house complete with a sauna.

Each ARKit prefab dwelling is built to maximize <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/category/daylighting" target="_blank">daylighting</a> and ventilation while minimizing energy use through efficient appliances and systems and high-efficiency insulating walls.

The wall system provides both insulation as well as structural stability. All materials were considered in depth using life cycle analysis software in order to minimize the project's total environmental footprint.

The exterior of each dwelling is clad in sustainably harvested <a href="http://inhabitat.com/uks-customizable-green-roofed-garden-offices/" target="_blank">western red cedar</a>.

The interiors are lined with sustainably harvested plantation hoop pine plywood.

Here one of the F Series EcoStudios is being transported on the back of a truck to its destination.

The EcoStudio is fully assembled in the factory and comes complete with a kitchen, bathroom, and all the wiring and plumbing ready for site connectivity.

The highly reflective roof is designed to capture and collect rainwater for use in the house, and gray water recycling and filtration systems can be added to further maximize water usage.

Another model in the F Series is the ThinkTank, which is a modular one-room unit that can serve as a bedroom, office, studio, etc.

Solar or wind systems can be easily integrated into the home to provide renewable energy, and the ARKit can even go zero-energy or off-grid if desired.

Homes in both series can be adapted to fit any climate where the home would be installed.