Architecture

DIY Hermit House allows users to customize and build their own micro house

DIY Hermit House allows users to customize and build their own micro house
Dutch duo Daniel Venneman and Mark van der Net have created an open source home kit, which allows DIYers to build and customize their own micro house
Dutch duo Daniel Venneman and Mark van der Net have created an open source home kit, which allows DIYers to build and customize their own micro house
View 17 Images
DIY Hermit House allows users to customize and build their own off-the grid micro house
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DIY Hermit House allows users to customize and build their own off-the grid micro house
The tiny home can be used for a variety of purposes including: a studio, guesthouse, temporary festival pavilion, holiday retreat or backyard office
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The tiny home can be used for a variety of purposes including: a studio, guesthouse, temporary festival pavilion, holiday retreat or backyard office
The home features large floor-to-ceiling glass windows that open out onto an outdoor deck
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The home features large floor-to-ceiling glass windows that open out onto an outdoor deck
The home features a single open interior space which be personally costumized
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The home features a single open interior space which be personally costumized
With eight different versions to choose from, each home can be customized to include all the mod cons; including eco bathroom and kitchen
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With eight different versions to choose from, each home can be customized to include all the mod cons; including eco bathroom and kitchen
By adding photovoltaic panels, compost toilet and water tank the Hermit House could become a low budget off-the-grid home or retreat
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By adding photovoltaic panels, compost toilet and water tank the Hermit House could become a low budget off-the-grid home or retreat
The 14 square meter (150 sq. ft.) Hermit House features a unique zigzag floor plan, creating a multipurpose interior space that feels spacious
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The 14 square meter (150 sq. ft.) Hermit House features a unique zigzag floor plan, creating a multipurpose interior space that feels spacious
The home’s building system utilizes a “folding structure” which according to the designers means the final building is strong enough to be constructed with lightweight materials
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The home’s building system utilizes a “folding structure” which according to the designers means the final building is strong enough to be constructed with lightweight materials
The home features large floor-to-ceiling glass windows that open out onto an outdoor deck
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The home features large floor-to-ceiling glass windows that open out onto an outdoor deck
Insulated wooden ribs can be added to create a stronger structure with passive thermal mass
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Insulated wooden ribs can be added to create a stronger structure with passive thermal mass
Hermit House offers an opportunity for users to build a personal space where they can relax and disconnect from the outside world
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Hermit House offers an opportunity for users to build a personal space where they can relax and disconnect from the outside world
Hermit House offers an opportunity for users to build a personal space where they can relax and disconnect from the outside world
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Hermit House offers an opportunity for users to build a personal space where they can relax and disconnect from the outside world
The home’s building system utilizes a “folding structure” which means the final building is strong enough to be constructed with lightweight materials
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The home’s building system utilizes a “folding structure” which means the final building is strong enough to be constructed with lightweight materials
The hermit House has a lifespan of approximately ten years depending on which materials are used
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The hermit House has a lifespan of approximately ten years depending on which materials are used
Following the simple steps of jumping online, playing around with the Hermit House model and parameters on the 3D design app, users can come up with their own version of the Hermit House
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Following the simple steps of jumping online, playing around with the Hermit House model and parameters on the 3D design app, users can come up with their own version of the Hermit House
Hermit House DIY building instructions
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Hermit House DIY building instructions
Dutch duo Daniel Venneman and Mark van der Net have created an open source home kit, which allows DIYers to build and customize their own micro house
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Dutch duo Daniel Venneman and Mark van der Net have created an open source home kit, which allows DIYers to build and customize their own micro house
View gallery - 17 images

Dutch duo Daniel Venneman and Mark van der Net have created an open source home kit that allows DIY advocates to build and customize their own micro house. The Hermit House features a unique zigzag floor plan that aims to create a multipurpose interior with a spacious feel, despite its 14 square meter (150 sq. ft.) footprint.

The creators say the “folding structure” of the design system means the final building is strong enough to be constructed with inexpensive and lightweight materials.

“The Hermit House was developed as a university project and was the first house we realized,” designers Daniel Venneman and Mark van der Net told Gizmag. “We came to the folded shape in our search for an easy and cheap way to construct DIY using standard sized plywood.”

Applying the motto 'Life Unplugged’ to the Hermit House, the designers wanted to create an opportunity for users to build a personal space where they can relax and disconnect from the outside world. “We see the Hermit Houses as a comfortable small laboratory where people can experiment with living modestly, completely energy-neutral and in interaction with their surroundings,” said Daniel and Mark.

The home features a single open interior space which faces the large floor-to-ceiling glass windows and opens out onto an outdoor deck. With eight different versions to choose from, each home can be customized to include features like an eco-bathroom and kitchen. The tiny homes can be used for a variety of purposes including a studio, guesthouse, temporary festival pavilion, holiday retreat or backyard office.

The system's online interface lets users play around with the Hermit House model and parameters on the 3D design app to develop a customized version. Then by pressing ‘generate manual’, the personal plans are finalized and generated, ready for one to head out, choose building materials and get the kit cut out.

“Most important is the cutting plan of the floor construction, the walls and roof panels. The panels are like a puzzle,” said Daniel and Mark. “It can hardly go wrong if you follow the instructions correctly and saw the panels precisely.”

Following the simple steps of jumping online, playing around with the Hermit House model and parameters on the 3D design app, users can come up with their own version of the Hermit House
Following the simple steps of jumping online, playing around with the Hermit House model and parameters on the 3D design app, users can come up with their own version of the Hermit House

For those who wish to build a stronger structure, insulated wooden ribs can be added. With the inclusion of photovoltaic panels, a compost toilet, a water tank and the use of recycled materials, the Hermit House has the potential to become a low budget and sustainable off-the-grid home or retreat.

“Most small dwellings like caravans are still very plastic-fantastic. Our Hermit House uses natural and recycled building materials. Mostly wood. We think that sustainability is about constantly striving for a less energy and material intensive building and its usage. In our latest houses we used solar power, compost toilets and wood stoves. We are still studying on how to make the shower facilities as off-the-grid as possible.”

The hermit House has a lifespan of approximately ten years depending on which materials are used. More durable materials will obviously last longer and age more gracefully.

The home is also available for purchase in a prefabricated kit. The kit is produced slightly differently from the DIY method; it uses even less materials and features wooden interior finishes and better insulation. “It’s a way people can build a house for about €700 per sqm [approx. US$936 per 10 sq. ft.], excluding VAT, installation and transportation costs,” said Daniel and Mark.

Furthermore the kits are compact enough to be transported in a van or shipping container and are currently available for delivery within the European Union. However, the designers have strong ambitions to get the kit onto the global market and they are also working on a bed and breakfast online project, which will allow owners to rent out their Hermit House to passing travelers.

"Everybody that builds a Hermit House will be able to use our online booking system to rent it out as they please," said Daniel and Mark. "DIY building becomes DIY B&B, sharing ‘life unplugged’ with others. We see the Hermit Houses as a test bed and are constantly looking for ways to make design more mainstream and introduce mass-customization to full-scale houses.”

Source: Hermit Houses via Plataforma Arquitectura

View gallery - 17 images
5 comments
5 comments
BigGoofyGuy
I think that is way cool. It seems to have a lot potential.
I think the 'bed and breakfast' would be a great use of these small houses. Instead of rooms, one would have little houses with one for the kitchen and one for an eating area and one for just relaxing in.
Jim Sadler
The plans might be a better product than the kits. If you wanted to build two or three of these units the cost would compare to conventional construction but would have a much shorter life span. One item not mentioned is the ease of repair of the finished item. That can be crucial. In my climate wood does not do well usually. Hardy board might make this design quite permanent.
Thomas Roberts
How is this a good idea? You're using 3x the materials and even more labor than would be required if you just built a box, and let's not forget all the wasted space. Also, with a box, you can still use the same types of materials, if that is your concern.
JSSFB
I like the idea and would think that it would be very adaptable in use and size depending on the construction method. The zig zag concept is very basic as used in long wall construction and had enormous strength. I feel that this concept could be expanded in many useful ways and lends itself to easy DIY construction.
Will Psillas
I agree w Thomas, it's inherently non DIY being one of the most difficult small framing projects possible. As far as zig zag for long walls being uber-strong, I'm not sure it translates when the roof is also zig zag. In fact I don't see how the "zigs" wouldn't come apart really easily.. unless there were custom bent metal bracket$$. It's cool for illusion but short walls eliminate some of the best space savers going such as murphy beds, and the light would make more sense coming from some kind of skylight to use more of the wall space. The exposed OSB on the face would not do well, and the drywall finishing would be about 10x harder than a corresponding box. Looks great in the landscape though!