People are seeking ways to tread more lightly on this planet and reduce their personal carbon footprint, and many have even decided to downsize their lifestyle, which has led to the rise of off-grid tiny homes. All the better if they are built on wheels, as mobile dwellings also help fulfill the dream of waking up amidst nature.
To truly embrace the tiny lifestyle in a secluded location away from the hustle of the city and adhere to more sustainable living practices, you really need a well-built tiny home with off-grid features, like solar panels, a smart water system, and proper waste management.
Many tiny home builders today are focusing on designing models that are not only cozy but also off-grid ready, making the shift to a more sustainable life a lot easier. One of these builders is Cascais, Portugal-based Madeiguincho, and the latest addition to their portfolio is Horta, a small timber dwelling that feels right at home in the middle of nature.
While contemporary tiny homes can be quite appealing with their modern style and luxurious features, rustic models that are handcrafted from sustainable materials, especially natural wood, have a unique charm that nature enthusiasts find even more enthralling.
Built with sustainability in mind, the Horta home on wheels represents the perfect fusion of elegant minimalism and coziness while also being well-equipped to serve as a permanent residence. To support long-time off-grid living, the designers installed solar panels on the roof, a rain collection system, a gray water management system, and a wood-fired stove.
Photo: Madeiguincho
This self-sufficient tiny home offers just 106 square feet (9.9 square meters) of living space but somehow manages to integrate all the basics for comfortable living. And it's not designed just for one person; surprisingly, it can actually accommodate four individuals inside its compact interior.
The team at the woodworking and architecture studio Madeiguincho is known for using wood as the main construction material in its designs. Just like the previous tiny homes they built, the Harto is clad in wood both on the outside and inside. And, though from a distance, it looks like a regular cabin that would fit just well in the woods, near a lake, or in the mountains, once you get closer, you will notice the attention to detail and high level of workmanship that went into its construction.
The builders used different shades of natural wood to give this home an eye-pleasing exterior design and built the doors and windows the traditional way, while for the interior, they went for a combination of modified wood, birch plywood panels, and pine floors, which brings texture and warmth to the traditional layout.
Despite its reduced footprint, Horta packs a living/lounging room, a kitchen, two sleeping lofts, and a full bathroom. The interior is incredibly bright and open, with no walls or room dividers, except for the one separating the bathroom from the common area. Natural light seeps in through a series of windows and a huge skylight. These, combined with the tall vaulted ceiling, create the illusion of more space.
Photo: Madeiguincho
Access inside is done through one end of the house, where a double glass door leads into the open-space living room and kitchen area. There is a secondary entrance at the back of the house, where a single door offers access directly to the bathroom, a neat design choice for those moments when you don't want to drag dust and mud through the house after a day of pottering or exploring your surroundings.
To maximize the use of space, there is no separation between the living room and the kitchen areas, with the kitchen cabinets and the built-in couch basically facing each other. The couch serves as both a lounging area and a sleeping space for one, if need be.
The long wooden countertop in the kitchen also offers double functionality, as the owners can use it both for meal prep and as an eating nook. To allow this versatility, Horta has custom open cabinets with no doors, which make the space appear larger and allow for everything to be within easy reach.
There is not much in terms of appliances, except for a sink, a coffee station, and a small refrigerator, but we suppose a portable cooktop and other electric cooking appliances would fit just fine in the space.
The bathroom is the final section of the house and is clad in wood as well. Though small, it is fitted with all the essentials, including a toilet, a vanity sink, and a shower cabin.
Photo: Madeiguincho
This compact dwelling boasts the classic two-loft configuration, with the master bedroom lying above the bathroom and the smaller one above the main entrance. Accessible via a removable ladder, the primary sleeping space houses a queen-size mattress, so it can comfortably accommodate two people. A small porthole will let dwellers to peak outside and admire the views.
Horta isn't lacking in terms of storage either, with a big closet downstairs, a storage unit in the main loft, and plenty of open shelves throughout.
Despite its stark minimalism, the Horta tiny house still feels cozy and inviting. Moreover, what it lacks in decor, it makes up for in off-grid capabilities, allowing owners to live a simpler, more sustainable lifestyle.
After spending a few years as a copy editor, Ancuta decided to put down the eraser and pick up the writer's pencil. Her favorites subjects are unusual car designs, travel trailers and everything related to the great outdoors. Full profile
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