-Portability matters to me.

-Safer materials – as someone who has trouble with chemical sensitivities, breathing common RV fumes is a no-no. I love the fact that this was actually taken into consideration, a huge thing for me.

-Insulation – I lived in a 28 foot RV on a farm for a little while this year, on the whole I loved it. (As for the above point about materials, the trailer was twenty years old, and to my nose and how my body responded, outgassed enough). However, during summer, blech – extreme humidity.

And as soon as the cold came (and I’m not talking winter cold, I’m talking early fall, just around the freezing mark cold), the trailer was, well, freezing! Sure, I could run the propane heater, burn gas at a ridiculous rate, and make the place pleasantly warm in the areas where the vents weren’t so far away from the fan that the hot air barely made it through…but with those thin veneered walls, and metal on the outside, that warmth didn’t stick around very long once the heater was off. Each morning was like waking up in an icebox, and the windows had moisture all over them.

Yes. this miniHOME is costly, and sadly out of reach of many people today. Yet it is in my eyes, gorgeous and the price aside, a wonderful solution for a one or two person dwelling.

I hope that in the next few years the price can come down, without compromising the materials or overall quality. If I still feel it’s fantastic by the time I could afford one, I’ll have it.

A new Airstream is NOT necessarily over $90,000. Yes, a 2008 34′ Airstream Classic lists for 90k. But a new Safari model is 20-30k less! For $15,000 you can buy a 20 year old model and replace the aged interior for about another $20k, complete with your choice of eco friendly materials, solar system, etc. I’ve seen people invest less than $20k into used Airstreams to use for full time residences.

I am in the process of planning just such a project. The cost involved ends up being a small fraction compared to these designer prefabs. Plus, you’re reusing and extending the lifespan of an existing structure.

But you should expect it to be substandard design, made from 90% vinyl – oh – and don’t expect it to last more than 10 years. As for the people advocating custom design and 1000 sf + there is no way you can do green building for less than $200/sf. Good green design is usually upwards of $280/sf in our experience. Do the math. Is that more affordable? $280,000 – and that doesn’t even include the land yet, or service connections, water supply, wastewater systems.

People, please educate yourselves on costs a little more before criticizing. It is very difficult to do good, affordable green design, and minihome has really done an amazing job here. Bravo.

If you can get the price down, you will sell like hotcakes. People are sick and tired of these McMansions everywhere that are slapped together with very poor care.

It seems you put a lot of thought and care into your product. However, it’s just not AFFORDABLE!

Building consideration for these type of houses here would revolve around climate, weather availability of materials and safety. Are these type of houses suitable for condition here in the tropics?

Congrats on achieving what you have however! Sustainability in a prefab… AND self sufficient. I love it.