Tiny homes have a lot of perks to them, but one of the veritable cons is that they aren’t too great for hosting. These compact homes can make it uncomfortable and stuffy to have friends over, however, this is where Baluchon’s Mirasol home comes to the rescue. Although it features a compact size, it still lets you socialize with your friends comfortably, since it has a guest sleeping area and a kitchen that extends to form an outdoor bar. Pretty cool, right?!

Designer: Baluchon

Founded on a double-axle trailer, Mirasol features a length of 20 feet and it is clad in red cedar with an aluminum accenting. The interior of the home is finished in ash and spruce, and it is powered by a standard RV-style hookup. The home also has a terrace along its exterior which was set up after the pictures were taken. This terrace teams up with the drop-down bar outside to extend the living space quite a bit, letting the owner host some cool parties! The kitchen also has operable windows allowing the host to pass food and drinks with ease. The exterior also includes a small detachable pantry on one wall, allowing food and drinks to be cooled outside.

The interior of the house has plenty of glazing, creating an airy and spacious home with a light-filled ambiance. The living room includes a large L-shaped sofa bed which serves as a guest sleeping area. There is some storage space as well. The kitchen contains a breakfast bar with stool seating for two, as well as a sink, oven, small fridge, two-burner propane-powered stove, cabinetry, and some shelving. This space is connected to a compact bathroom with a toilet and shower.

However, the Mirasol tiny home only has one bedroom which can be accessed via a removable ladder. The bedroom is like most bedrooms seen in tiny homes. It has a typical loft-style interior amped with a low ceiling and a double bed. The exact pricing of the Mirasol tiny home is unknown, but usually Baluchon’s models start at $91,000 USD.

The post With A Kitchen That Extends Into An Outdoor Bar, The Mirasol Tiny Home Is Great For Hosting Parties first appeared on Yanko Design.

Airbnb is now giving you a chance to stay in Pixar’s Up house! The adorable home of Carl Fredricksen is one of the most iconic animated homes and is known for being tied to thousands of balloons, allowing it to fly in the air. Airbnb provides a highly detailed and fascinating copy of the home, and it is attached to over 8000 balloons! According to Airbnb, the house does indeed float. Tucked away in the red rocks of New Mexico, the home is part of Airbnb’s Icons collection – which includes amazing experiences hosted by the biggest names in movies, television, music, and art. The Icons lineup also includes the Ferrari Museum, the X-Men Mansion, and the Muśee d’Orsay.

Designer: Airbnb

Airbnb brought the fascinating home to life to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the film. They successfully recreated Carl and Ellie’s home with extraordinary detail. The recreation perfectly imitates the cozy and comfy atmosphere and the adorable charm of the home including the Easter eggs from the movie. Photos of Carl and Ellie line the walls, including their precious Adventure Book, and the backpack of Wilderness Explorer Russel. In the home, you can also find the bed of Dug the talking dog, as well as other cute little touches.

As visitors enter the home, they are welcomed by activities designed to help them completely deep dive into the movie and experience its essence. You can tend to Carl’s mail or even prepare a picnic kit for a wilderness excursion or to stargaze under the night skit.

“My greatest adventures have happened here, and I learned that the best ones are always with someone you love, so bring your pals to kickstart your very own Adventure Book and watch as my house drifts off before you depart,” said Carl Fredricksen, the main character of Up, and the host of the residence.

If you want to experience the wonderful Up home, then you simply need to fill out your preferred dates, as well as the number of guests accompanying you (up to 4). You also need to submit your reason for wanting to stay in the lovely home. The submissions will be reviewed by Airbnb, and the selected participants can then finalize their booking. Submissions will be accepted until May 14, 2024. Hurry!

The post Airbnb Gives You A Chance To Stay In Pixar’s Iconic ‘Up’ House first appeared on Yanko Design.

In the realm of architecture, where innovation often intersects with human habitation, there exists a fascinating intersection with the natural world. Chinese architecture firm ZOO Architects has masterfully navigated this juncture with their latest endeavor — The Otter House Project. Contrary to conventional architectural endeavors aimed solely at human occupants, this initiative is a testament to the boundless scope of architectural creativity and empathy towards our fellow inhabitants on this planet.

Designer: ZOO Architects

At its core, architecture transcends the confines of human-centric design. It’s the seamless blend of art and science, manifested in physical structures that serve diverse purposes, including providing sanctuary for creatures beyond the human realm. Inspired by the intelligence and social dynamics of otters, ZOO Architects embarked on a journey to create bespoke shelters tailored to the needs of these captivating aquatic mammals.

Otters, admired for their intelligence and communal tendencies, provided a rich tapestry of inspiration for the architects. Drawing from a profound understanding of otters’ preferred environments, social behavior, diet, and cognitive abilities, ZOO Architects meticulously crafted housing prototypes that mimic the organic forms found in nature. Utilizing materials such as rock, earth, and hay, the resulting structures embody both functionality and aesthetic harmony with the otters’ natural habitats.

Central to The Otter House Project is a deep appreciation for the intricate social structures that otters form. These creatures, known for their familial bonds and monogamous relationships, inspired the architects to create spaces that foster communal living and mutual trust. The prototypes, designed to accommodate family groups of otters, provide ample space for social interactions while offering privacy for nesting and rest.

Beyond mere shelter, the Otter House prototypes serve as a testament to the ingenuity and adaptability of these remarkable animals. Otters’ innate ability to utilize tools, maintain hygiene, and engage in playful activities has been carefully considered in the design process. From incorporating stone-cracking tools to providing space for recreational fish-catching, every aspect of the shelters reflects a deep understanding of otters’ behavioral patterns.

Moreover, The Otter House Project underscores the pivotal role of otters as keystone species in freshwater and coastal ecosystems. By designing habitats that cater to otters’ needs, ZOO Architects not only contributes to environmental conservation but also prompts a profound reflection on the essence of human architecture.

The post Zoo Architects Expand The Boundaries Of Architecture And Design For Otters first appeared on Yanko Design.

Designed by Dragon Tiny Homes, the Avalon home has an economical price tag, and packs a punch by fitting in three bedrooms inside a compact and cozy frame. This home has been designed for a small family and lets you enjoy a tiny home with a sense of spaciousness and some luxury. Based on a double-axle trailer and measuring 24 feet long, the Avalon home has a width of 8.6 feet, allowing it to be towed on a public road in North America without any permit. The exterior of the home features a finish in engineered wood.

Designer: Dragon Tiny Homes

Measuring almost 204 square feet, the home has been clad in shiplap. The interior of the home is placed around a central living/cooking area which contains a kitchen and a sofa. The amenities are a bit basic, but they’re almost a bit expensive. It features quartz countertops and stainless steel fittings, as well as a sink, electric stove, and space for a fridge and other appliances. There is also some cabinetry.

The bathroom is adjacent to the sink and can be entered via a sliding door. The bathroom includes a vanity sink, shower, and a flushing toilet. The main bedroom is downstairs and on the opposite end of the bathroom. The bedroom can be entered via a sliding door, and it has loads of headroom to stand straight. The space also includes a double bed. The Avalon also includes two typical tiny house-style lofts and both the bedrooms have low ceilings, and can be accessed via a removable ladder. One of the bedrooms is a standard bedroom, while the other is a playroom though it could also be used as an office, third bedroom, or storage space.

The Avalon is currently priced at US$74,950, but Dragon Tiny Homes can elevate the finish and furniture for an extra cost, so you can customize and uplift the home according to your liking and preference.

The post The Avalon Is A Spacious Three Bedroom Tiny Home For A Small Family first appeared on Yanko Design.

3D-printed architecture has been making waves ever since its inception. It is a fantastic solution to pricey housing, providing economical housing options to the population. Portagul-based Havelar is creating its very own inaugural 3D-printed home, which takes only 18 hours to print! The home is located in the Greater Porto area of Portugal’s second-largest city. It is designed to be an 80 sq ft two-bedroom residence which currently doesn’t have a name bestowed upon it. The home is printed using COBOD’s BOD2 printer.

Designer: Havelar

The home can be constructed for €1,500 per sq m, which is a great deal in comparison to the Porto average of €3,104 (almost US$3,330) per square meter. This economical price tag is because of the speed of construction provided by the 3D printer. The printer follows a blueprint and forms a cement-like mixture from a nozzle in layers. This forms the basic structure of the house. The printing process takes almost 18 hours, and then builders finish the construction by installing the door, paneling, windows, and roof. They also manually install any other amenities that are needed. Taking the human labour into consideration, the home was completed within two months.

The home by Havelar is a single-storey abode with telltale ribbed walls which implies that the home was built using a 3D printer. The interior includes a central kitchen and dining room, with two bedrooms, a living room, as well as a bathroom. The home is quite basic and minimal compared to high-end and luxurious 3D-printed homes you may have seen around, but taking the price tag into consideration it truly is a fair deal for what you’re getting.

“We want to team up with partners who see themselves in building sustainable and accessible communities,” said Rodrigo Vilas-Boas, Co-Founder of Havelar. “With €150,000 [$161,000], it’s possible for a young couple to have the home they’ve always dreamed of, in an area with good access and services.”

This home is the first 3D-printed home developed by Havelar, but the firm plans to amp up production and even reach carbon neutrality by 2030, by shifting to alternative construction materials like straw and earth.

The post 3D-Printed House Is Built in 18 Hours, Offering An Economical Housing Solution For The Future first appeared on Yanko Design.

Iconic design studio Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) has recently unveiled plans for an innovative timber college building that merges cutting-edge engineered wood with traditional Japanese joinery techniques to form a rather impressive-looking and sustainable structure. Dubbed the Makers’ KUbe, this unique educational facility is designed for the University of Kansas’ School of Architecture and Design. It includes a timber frame which will be insulated with a hemp-based material, and gently wrapped in glass. These little features will add an exceptional look, and allow the natural beauty of wood to truly shine through.

Designer: Bjarke Ingels Group

The Makers’ KUbe features a stripped-back design that uses only what is needed. It leaves the mechanical electrical and plumbing systems on display. It also features a glass exterior which is a wonderful mix of opaque and clear glass, hence providing privacy, and reducing glare at certain points.

“The Makers’ KUbe is a 50,000-square-foot [roughly 4,600 sq m] mass timber cube structure,” explains BIG’s press release. “The KUbe’s distinct timber diagrid frame – engineered by structural engineer StructureCraft – is optimized to reduce material and curtail carbon-intensive concrete. Inspired by traditional Japanese joinery techniques, the building’s structure uses tight-fit dowels and notched glulam – or glue-laminated timber – to create an all-wood structure with columns and beams that run diagonally, without steel plates or fasteners.”

The interior of the building includes six floors, and an open plan layout which provides flexible glass space, creating an environment of collaboration between students. The structure also includes a central staircase which facilitates easy access between the spaces. It will also contain 3D-printing facilities and robotic labs, as well as a cafe. The second floor will include two bridges that connect to the adjacent buildings. The structure was built using wood, and it will feature solar panels on the roof to reduce dependency on the grid. Rainwater harvesting will be utilized for irrigation.

Since it is a timber building, there is concern about fire safety. However modern engineered wood was used to construct the structure, and it has been proven to perform better than steel in a fire.

The post BIG Designs A Timber College That Merges Cutting-Edge Engineered Wood With Traditional Japanese Joinery first appeared on Yanko Design.

Designed by Wind River Tiny Homes, this newly constructed tiny home is called the Pingora. Pingora is a towable tiny home which has a pretty economical price tag, and a comfy cozy yet compact interior with a unique “upside-down” layout. This layout allows the bedroom to be placed downstairs, and the living room to be placed upstairs. It is founded on a double-axle trailer and features a length of 24 feet, making it smaller than most of the tiny homes we see in North America. The home is finished in textured engineered wood siding and is available in a variety of colors, both inside and outside.

Designer: Wind River Tiny Homes

The tiny home has a unique decor of painted sheetrock walls, spruce tongue, hardwood floor, and groove ceiling. The layout of the home is its star attraction, as it positions the bedroom downstairs, and the living room upstairs. What makes this arrangement useful is that it is easier to get into the bed, especially if the owner is old or as they age. But, at the same time, it does make the home more claustrophobic, since typical tiny homes feature the bedroom in the loft, which has its own perks too.

The living room is placed right above the bedroom, and you can reach it via a storage-integrated staircase. The living room contains a sofa, coffee table, and TV, as well as a large window that offers pretty views for people to look at. The ground floor also includes a kitchen beside the bedroom. The kitchen is placed in the center of the house, and it contains a sink, an electric cooktop, a fridge/freezer, custom cabinetry as well as space for a washer/dryer. You can also add an oven if need be. The kitchen also has a mini-split air-condiitoning unit for cooling and heating.

The bathroom is located in the opposite end of the home to the living room. It is compact but well-equipped with a shower, vanity sink, and flushing toilet. A small secondary loft is located above the bathroom, and you can access it via a ladder. This loft space is equipped with additional extra storage space.

The post This Towable Tiny Home Has A Distinctive ‘Upside-Down’ Interior Layout first appeared on Yanko Design.

Such is the nature of the internet that it honestly feels like years since the Sphere in Las Vegas was inaugurated… but truth be told, the massive hemispherical display only opened to the public in September last year. Practically one of the most visible buildings on the north end of the Vegas Strip (you can even see it as your flight lands at the airport), the Sphere gained meme status with its sheer size and scale, and its ability to become a canvas for everything from advertisements to graphics, and even the occasional hilarious emoji that looks around and interacts with objects around the desert city. YouTuber Carl Bugeja decided that in theory, it shouldn’t be too difficult to make a homemade version of the Sphere using a bunch of LEDs and clever programming. His journey led him to build an adorable recreation of the sphere, scaled down to fit in your palm. The MINI Sphere is an adorable replica of a modern architectural wonder, and even lights up to display various graphics like an eyeball, the planet Earth, swirling colors, or emoji faces. A built-in accelerometer even detects when you lift the MINI Sphere off the tabletop, prompting it to display a scared emoji face!

Designer: Carl Bugeja

The original Sphere is a marvel of maths, engineering, and design, with its outer shell comprising a staggering 1.2 million LEDs that come to life to give the Sphere its own personality of sorts. The thing is visible from miles away, allowing even people in hotel rooms to be privy to the Sphere’s graphics. In between quirky visuals like a spinning earth, an emoji, or just particle graphics, the globe-shaped building also serves as a billboard for brands as well as for the venue itself, which plays movies as well as hosts concerts. The Sphere cost an impressive $2.3 billion to build, but Carl’s task was to create a massively scaled-down version of the building for a minuscule fraction of the price.

Carl’s plan was to build a roughly baseball-sized version of the monument, while still maintaining a compact pixel density that allowed his MINI Sphere to look like a display and not just a cluster of random pixels. His first idea was to simply have an LED ring rotating at high speeds, creating the effect of a sphere display, but that had problems – it would be too blurry, too complicated, and too noisy. He finally decided to use SK6805 LEDs, which measured a mere 1mm in width and height. Packing a staggering 945 of them onto a bendable PCB from PCBWay, Carl began building the MINI Sphere.

The LEDs were oriented on an odd geometric shape, comprising multiple triangles joined together. The idea was to simply fold the triangles to create a geodesic sphere. Carl would then program each LED in a way that would create a continuous display by building multiple graphic patches that could be stitched together in a software.

Carl connected the LED board to a CodeCell controller unit, using a USB-C cable to power the display. He then stuck the PCB onto a hemispherical 3D printed base, carefully ensuring each triangular panel was glued in place without any distinct visible seams.

Before his final design step, Carl began testing out visual patterns by designing them on a computer and feeding them to the MINI Sphere. Since this was a spherical display comprising multiple triangular facets, feeding visuals wasn’t as easy as simply dragging and dropping JPEGs. They had to be sliced into different artboards that could then be fed to the sphere’s various LED panels.

Finally, the MINI Sphere got its crowning component, a diffuser that helped blend the individual pixels to create a more coherent image. Given that the MINI Sphere has less than 1000 pixels (that’s hardly high-definition), it was difficult for the eye to perceive clear images because the gaps between the pixels were so pronounced. To fix this, Carl simply mounted a translucent cover on the Sphere, helping blur the gap between the pixels and create a more easy to identify image. Sure, one would agree that the end result isn’t as crystal clear as the original Sphere, but by DIY standards, it’s very impressive!

The MINI Sphere currently displays the graphics shown below (including even a blinking eye that looks around), but the most adorable is the emoji, which reacts to being shaken or picked up!

The post This Tiny Las Vegas Sphere Replica Lights Up With 945 LEDs That Display Graphics And Emojis first appeared on Yanko Design.

Container homes have gained traction as a trendy, supposedly eco-friendly alternative to traditional housing. While the appeal of transforming a robust steel box into a chic minimalist abode is undeniable, several pragmatic concerns often go overlooked. These homes, once idealized as the epitome of innovative living, may not be the smart investment they’re touted to be. We’ve covered tiny homes extensively on YD, and I still stand by my opinions on micro-living being great… but as far as container homes go (and we at YD speak from personal experiences), they may look beautiful but can pose significant challenges based on where you live and how you plan on building your home. Even if you have your heart set on these homes, here are 5 things you need to keep in mind before you embark on this journey.

1. Climate Control Challenges

One of the most significant challenges of living in a container home is maintaining a comfortable internal climate. These steel boxes were designed to transport goods across oceans, not for human habitation, and their basic structure is not conducive to temperature regulation. In summer, the steel walls absorb and conduct heat, transforming the container into an oven. Conversely, in winter, the same metal walls shed heat rapidly, turning the home into a refrigerator.

Effective climate control in such environments necessitates robust insulation systems. However, the installation of these systems is neither straightforward nor inexpensive. Traditional insulation methods often fall short, requiring specialized, high-performance solutions such as spray foam, which adheres to the metal and creates a thermal and moisture barrier. Yet, even with top-notch insulation, the energy costs associated with heating and cooling a metal box can be exorbitant, as the metal’s inherent properties continuously work against these efforts.

If all that wasn’t enough, these metal containers can sometimes act as Faraday cages, completely obliterating any mobile network connectivity while indoors. Unless your container home has ample open windows that allow cellular waves to pass through freely, you may experience massive dead zones for mobile connectivity throughout the house.

2. Rust and Corrosion Problems

Shipping containers are built to withstand the rigors of sea travel, which makes one assume they can handle anything nature throws their way. However, once repurposed as homes and exposed to different environmental conditions without proper maintenance, they can quickly succumb to rust and corrosion. The protective coatings used on these containers are designed for saltwater exposure, but once breached by cuts and modifications necessary for windows, doors, and other home amenities, they become vulnerable.

The battle against rust is ongoing and costly. Regular application of rust-proofing measures, careful inspection, and maintenance are required to keep a container home in good shape. In coastal areas or places with high humidity, the rate of corrosion can accelerate, potentially compromising the structural integrity of the home over time. For instance, residents in coastal regions have reported accelerated wear and degradation, necessitating frequent and costly maintenance that eroded the initial savings from choosing a container home.

3. Structural Integrity Issues + Lack Of Modification

While shipping containers are inherently strong, the process of converting them into habitable spaces often involves modifications that can compromise this strength. Cutting large openings for windows, doors, and room transitions removes parts of the container’s load-bearing walls. To counteract this, additional structural reinforcements, such as steel beams or wooden framing, must be installed.

This modification process is not only complex but can also be more costly than expected. It requires precise engineering to ensure safety and compliance with local building codes, which are often not designed with container homes in mind. The necessity for skilled labor to carry out these modifications safely adds another layer of expense, which can surprise many first-time container home builders.

4. Acoustic Challenges

The acoustic properties of steel can turn a container home into an echo chamber, amplifying sounds within and transmitting external noises inside. This can make living in a container home less comfortable than anticipated, especially in noisy urban environments or if the home is not adequately insulated against sound.

Implementing effective sound insulation is crucial but can be tricky. Materials that can dampen sound, such as dense foam or specialized acoustic panels, must be integrated into the walls, floors, and ceilings. These materials not only add to the cost but also take up precious interior space, further challenging the comfort and functionality of the home. Moreover, the need for such insulation can detract from the aesthetic simplicity many seek in a container home.

5. Insulation and Condensation

Insulation challenges extend beyond temperature control and sound. Steel walls are prone to condensation whenever there is a temperature differential between the inside and outside. This condensation can lead to moisture accumulation inside the walls, fostering mold growth and reducing air quality. Proper insulation must therefore include a vapor barrier to prevent condensation, which is an additional cost and complexity in the building process.

For those living in climates with significant seasonal changes, managing humidity and preventing condensation are ongoing issues. Many container home residents have had to retrofit dehumidifiers and additional ventilation systems post-construction, as initial plans did not fully address the moisture issues inherent to living in a metal box.

Choosing a container home is undoubtedly an attractive idea, especially for those drawn to minimalist, sustainable living. However, the reality of residing in a repurposed steel box can be far from the idyllic life pictured in glossy magazine spreads. From battling the extremes of climate to managing rust and ensuring the structure remains sound and comfortable, the challenges are many and often costly.

If the novelty and aesthetics of a container home still appeal to you, consider these factors carefully and weigh them against more traditional building methods that might offer fewer surprises in the long run. After all, the true comfort of a home comes not just from its walls but from living in peace with one’s choices—preferably, without the constant echo of regrets.

The post DON’T Buy A Container Home: 5 Reasons Why They Might Be A Bad Idea first appeared on Yanko Design.

Designed by Canada’s Minimaliste, the Noyer models provide micro-living in a luxurious tiny home setting. The Noyer and Noyer XL are designed to deal with all kinds of weather conditions, including extreme hot and cold. Minimaliste has now introduced a new innovation of the Noyer line – a new and improved and bigger tiny home amped with loads of storage space, as well as a comfy and spacious apartment-style layout.

Designer: Minimaliste 

Featuring a length of 38.5 feet, the 2024 Noyer XL has an increased length of 3.5 feet over the previous Noyer XL. Now, this isn’t a massive change, but when it comes to tiny homes, even the smallest of space makes a difference. The home also has a width of 10.5 feet, which means it needs a permit to be towed on the road, allowing you to lose some flexibility, but helping you achieve a more spacious interior in comparison to typical tiny homes. The exterior of the home has a finish of horizontal cedar and vertical steel and is founded on a triple-axle trailer.

The entrance of the home leads you to the kitchen with the living room located to the right. The home includes a raised floor which forms a rather functional underfloor storage area that can be extended into long drawers. Storage is something that isn’t easily available in most tiny homes, hence Minimaliste’s efforts to install these little nooks and storage sections are quite commendable. The living room includes a sofa and more seating, and an entertainment center.

The kitchen seems quite spacious and well-designed. It includes more storage space, a fridge/freezer, a sink, an oven, and a propane-powered stove. The space also includes a dedicated breakfast bar-style dining area with cozy stool seating. The kitchen is connected to the hallway, which includes a separate washing machine as well as a dryer. It also includes access to the bathroom as well as some convenient shelving. The bathroom is like most bathrooms found in typical tiny homes, and it includes a flushing toilet, shower, and a vanity sink unit.

The home includes two bedrooms – the downstairs one, and the upstairs one. The downstairs bedroom has ample headroom so you can place a double bed or even a bunk bed. It also has a massive wardrobe. The upstairs bedroom can be accessed via a storage-integrated staircase and is like most traditional loft-style tiny home bedrooms.

The post Minimaliste’s Latest Tiny Home Gets A Size Upgrade For A More Luxurious Micro-Living Experience first appeared on Yanko Design.