Architecture

House Arc modular home assembled “like an IKEA house”

House Arc modular home assembled “like an IKEA house”
House Arc is a prefabricated off-the-grid housing solution that facilitates compact living
House Arc is a prefabricated off-the-grid housing solution that facilitates compact living
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Once constructed, the House Arc features large windows that allow natural light to filter through the dwelling
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Once constructed, the House Arc features large windows that allow natural light to filter through the dwelling
House Arc makes an attractive backyard retreat
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House Arc makes an attractive backyard retreat
A shading trellis limits the amount of heat that can infiltrate inside the building
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A shading trellis limits the amount of heat that can infiltrate inside the building
The lightweight base structure consists of a modular system of bent steel tubes that can easily be assembled on site
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The lightweight base structure consists of a modular system of bent steel tubes that can easily be assembled on site
House Arc is a prefabricated off-the-grid housing solution that facilitates compact living
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House Arc is a prefabricated off-the-grid housing solution that facilitates compact living
The lightweight base structure consists of a modular system of bent steel tubes can easily be assembled on site
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The lightweight base structure consists of a modular system of bent steel tubes can easily be assembled on site
House Arc is designed to be easily packed and shipped to any location, where it can then be erected on site
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House Arc is designed to be easily packed and shipped to any location, where it can then be erected on site
Upon assembly, the House Arc becomes a curvaceous 150 square-foot (14 square meter) home that weighs 3,000 pounds (1,360kg)
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Upon assembly, the House Arc becomes a curvaceous 150 square-foot (14 square meter) home that weighs 3,000 pounds (1,360kg)
The light weight base structure consists of a modular system of bent steel tubes that can easily be assembled on site
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The light weight base structure consists of a modular system of bent steel tubes that can easily be assembled on site
House Arc installation phase 1
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House Arc installation phase 1
House Arc installation phase 2
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House Arc installation phase 2
House Arc installation phase 3
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House Arc installation phase 3
House Arc installation phase 4
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House Arc installation phase 4
House Arc installation phase 5
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House Arc installation phase 5
House Arc installation phase 6
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House Arc installation phase 6
House Arc installation phase 7
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House Arc installation phase 7
House Arc installation phase 8
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House Arc installation phase 8
House Arc installation phase 9
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House Arc installation phase 9
The House Arc features a roof designed to support solar energy-generation
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The House Arc features a roof designed to support solar energy-generation
The House Arc can withstand the elements, including tropical winds, and also features a roof designed to support solar energy-gathering
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The House Arc can withstand the elements, including tropical winds, and also features a roof designed to support solar energy-gathering
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View gallery - 22 images

House Arc, by Bellomo Architects, is a prefabricated off-the-grid housing solution that facilitates compact living. The project was originally designed as an environmentally sensitive and affordable method of housing that is not only functional but also attractive to the eye. Furthermore, it is designed to be easily packed and shipped to any location, where it can then be erected by the user or community. "We designed it to be a kit of parts that can be assembled quickly-like an IKEA house," says House Arc architect Joseph Bellomo.

The House Arc is designed to be flat-packed and shipped in a remarkably small box that measures 4 x 10 x 3 feet (1.2 x 3 x .95 meters). The lightweight base structure consists of a modular system of bent steel tubes that can easily be assembled on site. Constructing the low-impact home requires no special training and is similar to building modular furniture, with a kit of parts and an easy-to-follow, graphic installation manual. Upon assembly, the House Arc becomes a curvaceous 150 square-foot (14 square meter) home that weighs 3,000 pounds (1,360 kg). The house features large windows that allow natural light to filter through the dwelling. A shading trellis limits the amount of heat that can infiltrate inside the building and the raised structure allows air to flow underneath for cooling, whilst also maintaining the permeability of the site. The House Arc can withstand the elements, including tropical winds, and also features a roof designed to support solar energy-generation.

Optional additions to further enhance the sustainability of House Arc include the installation of solar photovoltaic panels and insulation that can be added between panels.

Once constructed, the House Arc features large windows that allow natural light to filter through the dwelling
Once constructed, the House Arc features large windows that allow natural light to filter through the dwelling

Whilst the House Arc would make an attractive backyard retreat, the lightweight and easy-to-construct house could also function as an emergency shelter. It is a primary focus of Bellomo Architects to develop the House Arc concept so it can be used to house people in devastated areas after a catastrophic event or to replace housing that was not built to withstand such forces. "We foresee the House Arc in locations such as Haiti and New Orleans" says Bellomo Architects.

We just hope that they will drop the US$65,000 price tag for such a noble cause!

The House Arc will be a featured prefab house at this year's Sunset Celebration Weekend in Menlo Park, California from June 2-3.

Sources: Bellomo Architects, Bike Arc

View gallery - 22 images
33 comments
33 comments
Mark A
$433 per square foot is quite a premium for prefab.
DYD
65 big ones, bit of a joke. Good luck selling them :)
Paul Hutchinson
you say house... I say shed.
Jon A.
A $65K garden shed.
It IS pretty, but on the other hand, there is no insulation whatsoever, or even all that much weatherproofing. There\'s also not much privacy.
Keith Reeder
Isn\'t this just a caravan with the wheels off?
digi_owl
Some government subsidy and presto, cheap housing for the poor of the world.
Mushi
So...no insulation either? The materials don\'t warrant such a high cost. I think my AbleNook makes more sense, but then I may be biased...
Jon A.
Maybe if they didn\'t ship it flat, and actually built them on an assembly line they would be more reasonably priced. It would be easily transportable fully assembled.
thewaldron
ridiculous! where I live you can buy a decent 1,500 sq.ft. home for $65k... I imagine the people in \"impoverished\" areas suffering some kind of natural disaster will truly appreciate this... for that kind of coin it should come on wheels with a cat diesel pusher, slide outs, bathroom and kitchen...
dsiple
in what world is this thing \"affordable housing\" unless you\'re thinking of using it as a pre-fab tree house in Beverly Hills. Don\'t think snow load would work well either. Pretty but nuts.
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