From off-the-grid pods to tiny houses that can be taken apart move with their owners, innovative home design blossomed in 2016.
Although there was no shortage of out-there ideas, a few trends took shape. Architects emphasized designs that made for low-cost and fast construction, minimalist aesthetics, increased mobility, and the use of more renewable power sources.
Check out our favorites below.
SEE ALSO: This 33-foot-long tiny home with a chandelier costs $150,000
The Koda — A tiny house that can be taken apart to move with its owners
In October 2016, the Estonia-based design firm Kodasema unveiled its design for the Koda house. The 269-square-foot cube can be assembled by a construction crew in less than seven hours and disassembled in four hours.
150 Kodas will become available to order online in Estonia starting in late 2017, with prices likely starting at €120,000 (about $132,500). The company might later expand sales internationally if it can ramp up production, Kodasema's cofounder, Taavi Jakobson, told Business Insider.
Read more about the Koda
The 20K Homes — Beautiful cottages that cost just $14,000 to build
Students at Rural Studio, Auburn University's architectural design program, built two cottages with raw materials that cost just $14,000 each in early 2016. Located at Serenbe, a 500-person community in northwestern Georgia, the 500-square-foot homes are used to house resident artists.
The Rural Studio team calls them the "20K Homes," and hopes they can become a model for building houses that are both beautiful and affordable.
Read more about the 20K Homes
The Ecocapsule — A solar-and-wind-powered pod
Designed by Netherlands-based Nice Visions, the Ecocapsule features a roof with solar cells and a mini wind turbine. It also has a rechargeable battery that can last at least four days if the off-the-grid sources fail.
In spring 2016, the company started production on 50 units, which cost €79,900 ($83,480) and can be customized to each owner’s requirements. The second generation of Ecocapsules will be available for a lower price in 2017.
Read more about the Ecocapsule
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