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A prefabricated cabin makes life worth living

Victorian miners’ cottages were functional, simple constructions that spoke to the hard-working, humble lives of the occupants. They were often self-built, and the craftsmanship was heavily dependent on external factors. Spare time, available materials and carpentry ability were all potential pitfalls.

Two Novocastrians with a love for Passive House building spent almost two years reimagining this iconic style of Australian architecture. What they have delivered combines the versatility of the past with the performance of the future. A bespoke country cabin reminiscent of the goldfields that embodies the performance of a modern-day Passive House home.

 

Architect Steele Olney from Studio Dot and pro clima partner and builder Evan Graham set out to create an adaptable dwelling that is at once a rural weekender, a backyard studio or an additional city living space.

Their prefabricated 25-square-metre cabin is designed and built to offer the design, comfort, health and sustainability of a passive house on a smaller scale. Their baby is called the Passive Prefab Pod.

The pods are a fully self-contained build and offer a kitchen, bathroom and bench seat. There is an option to include a queen-sized bed or built-in dining seating in the floor plan.

Paying tribute to the miner’s cottage of the past, the pods have a gabled roof and custom-made high-performance timber windows and doors opening onto a veranda. Locally sourced hardwood timber is widely used, alongside low toxic finishes, stainless steel and textural-oriented strand board that creates a simple, calm internal ambience.

The pods are built to Passive House principles and offer high levels of thermal comfort, excellent air quality, and energy efficiency that do not rely on artificial heating and air conditioning.

It is the sum of the parts that contribute to the almost zen-like quality of the Passive Prefab Pods.

Alex Mcintyre Photography - The Perfect Pod
Photo Courtesy – Alex Mcintyre Photography

 

“People engage with the connection you have to the outside view through the large picture window,” says Steele Olney. “Add to this the natural finishes, constant flow of filtered fresh air, the acoustic ceilings and the double glazing, and you have a notably enjoyable experience.”

Airtightness and weathertightness are achieved with a combination of pro clima internal and external membranes, which effectively wrap the entire transportable structure.
“Prefabrication makes an enormous difference to the performance outcome,” says Evan Graham. “Airtightness is so much easier to achieve in a controlled environment that is not subject to external forces of any kind.”

The pods take about 14 weeks to construct and come at a fixed price.

Photo Courtesy – Evan Graham Builder

 

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Product Information

INTELLO® PLUS is a market-leading intelligent air barrier for all construction types, providing superior energy and moisture control. INTELLO® PLUS maximises the performance of your thermal insulation, whilst restricting internal moisture entering the building envelope. INTELLO® PLUS utilises Hydrosafe® technology, providing optimal protection against structural damage and mould, even in the event of unexpected moisture intrusion.

SOLITEX MENTO® PLUS provides superior weather and condensation protection for your roof, under all weather conditions. Excellent UV resistance (180 exposure); high vapour permeability and long-term durability.

 

SOLITEX EXASANA®  wall underlay provides the best weather protection layer for your walls under all conditions. It protects the building from wind, driving rain, and other external sources of water, whilst allowing any internal moisture to escape through the vapour permeable, non-porous TEEE* layer.

TESCON EXTORA®   weathertight and vapour permeable sealing tape - an essential component of all weather resistive barrier (WRB) systems. It is compatible with membranes and underlays as well as rigid sheathings, rigid wall underlays and rigid air barriers (RAB).