Eco Cabanas in Venezuela: An Alternative Sustainable Dwelling

Designed by Kristofer Nonn, these ‘Eco Cabanas’ in Venezuela are intended to help locals live in a healthier, more sustainable environment.  In the region of Santa Elena, dark and damp corrugated metal dwellings are common place, but Nonn’s tiny houses are an alternative that offers an open, bright and airy interior. Constructed from locally-sourced and recycled materials, the eco huts are a sustainable and cheap option that will allow the people of Santa Elena to live comfortably.

When creating the dwellings, Kristofer was aiming to produce a solution to housing problems often faced in developing countries; a home that’s safe, comfortable, functional, inexpensive and aesthetically pleasing. Each Eco Cabana is raised off the ground on stilts, in a similar fashion to the tradition indigenous architecture of the region. In addition to this, it also helps to avoid deterioration of the structure at ground level.

The main structure is composed of a wooden frame, made from hand-split shingles and built on concrete poles. Due to the rarity of glass, the tiny homes contain a wall of recycled glass that introduces natural light – typical homes in Santa Elena (of this type) don’t feature any glass windows, but remain enclosed for security and weather-tightness.

The north and south portions of the houses have been left open to the elements to help promote natural ventilation. The roof is clad with corrugated metal, a familiar material in the region. The opposing roof angles creates shade for the porches as well as helping to funnel rainwater for harvesting.

Via Inhabitat