We have had the fortune of covering many spatially efficient housing units, ranging from the portable Blue Sky model to the hand-made Tiny Tack House. And, now with the rigors of urban congestion and rising prices of real estate, we have yet another living solution in the form of the QB2, a whopping three story structure with an area of just 12 sq m.
The innovation of the QB2 lies in its precise attention to details that synchronize with our circulation patterns. For example, storage units are found in at least four zones inside the tiny house, excluding the kitchen and bathroom. These storage components go ‘with the flow’ of the building’s spatial capacity, thus serving as functional yet unobtrusive parts of the design.
In terms of spatial arrangement, the entrance is at the lowest level, and leads on the work space/living area with a two-seater sofa, a table and a north-facing window. Bantam blocks of steps lead on from this ground level zone to the intermediate level.
This middle level comprises of a fully furnished kitchen and the compact private bathroom. Finally, the ‘floor’ works its way up to the upper most level via another array of steps. A double bed is located on this vertically compressed zone, with a side window/escape route flanking the head-end.
The effectiveness of the QB2 is not just limited to the spatial scope. The diminutive house also incorporates energy efficient LED lighting all through the interior, along with an externally located air-sourced heat pump.
This outer device will be responsible for all the heat (including heated water) during winter months, and boasts of 3 times more efficiency than conventional fan-driven contraptions.
However, the greatest advantage of the QB2 will surely be its non-requirement of any planning permit, due to a ridiculously low height of 10 ft (3 m). As for commercial side of affairs, each unit will be available for purchase in the coming months, with different price structures. The range is expected to be from £10,500 (around $17,500) to £45,000 (around $74,000).
You can gleefully gawk at the video below, to have an ‘express tour’ by Dr. Mike Page from University of Hertfordshire.
For more details, refer to the Cube Project home site.
Via: Metro
