Looking to reconnect with nature without roughing it on a campsite? Ecocubo, a tiny portable home made of wood and cork could be the answer you’re looking for. Designed by a Portuguese startup, the prefabricated house can be transported and pop up nearly anywhere to offer an immersive experience in the outdoors with minimal site impact.
Available in three models ranging from nine square meters to sixteen square meters, the Ecocubo includes the basic essentials of living including a sleeping area, kitchen, bathroom, and living space. The small footprint necessitated creative space-saving design with transforming and multifunctional furniture such as the sleeping area that can morph into a living and dining space large enough for entertaining guests. The versatile home can also be customized to the homeowner’s needs and the demands of the site with the potential for off-grid capability.
Related: ViVood: Tiny Pop-Up Wooden Home From Spain Comes With Built-in Solar Panels
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António Fernandes, the architect responsible for the project, chose cork cladding due to the material’s local availability, environmentally friendly qualities, and ability to help Ecocubo blend into a forest landscape. “To establish identification with the project and with its origin, both nationally and internationally, the chosen material was cork, which beyond an excellent thermal and acoustic insulation is 100% natural,” said Fernandes. The wood-and-cork cube home is prefabricated off-site and the typical build takes approximately two weeks to complete. The portable homes are installed on a raised foundation and are designed for minimal impact on the landscape.
Images by Building Pictures
