Whanapoua Sled House in New Zealand

The Whanapoua Sled House from New Zealand is literally built on sled’s allowing it to be towed anywhere along the beach it was built on. Architects Crosson Clarke Carnachan designed this holiday home for a family of five. The house needed to be transportable due to the coastal erosion that takes place on the Coromandel peninsula. It also needed to be very efficient and make use of all the available space. The home is constructed with mainly natural materials and features a sustainable water-saving waste treatment system.

The 2-story dwelling contains a kitchen and dining area, living room and bathroom, and two bedrooms. One of the bedrooms is for the owners children and has a three-tier bunk bed. A mezzanine room, which overlooks the water, is reached by ladder. When the family aren’t using the holiday home, the entire structure can be ‘locked down’ with timber shutters.

The entire home is built on a foundation of two thick wooden sled’s that allows it to move as required by the local planning regulations. A worm tank system is used to treat black-water, and two tank (seen on the rear of the home) are used to hold grey-water that can be recycled.

The main living space is shaded by one of the timber awnings, protecting the inhabitants from the strong summer sun, while still allowing winter sun to permeate the interior. The house is heated by a small wood-fired stove, providing adequate comfort and warmth during the winter months.

Via Inhabitat