Sustainable living has been at the forefront of home-design trends for a while now, but this Australian architecture firm just took it to a whole new level. The firm, ArchiBlox [1], has created the world's first carbon-positive prefabricated [2] house. In other words, this home creates more energy than it consumes, thanks to its ecologically friendly — and gorgeous — features. The mobile home relies on in-ground tubes that pull in cool air instead of relying on a mechanical heating and cooling system, and its energy-efficient appliances make use of rainwater recycling. The innovative home is currently on display in Melbourne's City Square for passersby to explore. Take a look at the cool photos below to learn more about this contemporary design!
It's topped by a green roof for added insulation, and these sliding garden walls help to shade the building and keep it cool during Summer.
ArchiBlox constructed the house with two different zones: the north-facing side with a sunroom is referred to as the "buffer zone," and it captures sunlight during the Winter months and locks it in the house. The other zone is the south-facing side tucked behind the sunroom that serves as the living area. In the Summer, the buffer zone traps the harsh sun, limiting its invasion into the living space.
The 800-square-foot home is sealed within an airtight structure that also works to keep cool air in.
The building uses solar panels to convert the sun's energy into heat and power.
The home's large, double-glazed windows would be a stunning addition to any home.
The house also uses sustainably sourced materials with formaldehyde- and VOC-free finishes.
The bright and airy wood-paneled interior was designed to be as compact as possible. A combined lounge, dining area, and kitchen sit on one side, while a wall of cabinets sits opposite the bedroom with an adjoining bathroom.
While we don't currently know the cost of the home, or whether or not any will be available outside of Australia, it's clear that this breakthrough will serve as inspiration for sustainable-living designers and homeowners everywhere.