Icelandic husband-and-wife duo Erla Dögg Ingjaldsdóttir and Tryggvi Thorsteinsson of the award-winning studio Minarc have built another home with mnmMOD—a prefabricated, panelized building system they developed using a blend of recycled steel and EPS insulation. The resulting 2,500-square-foot home, called Dawnskoll, keeps sustainability at the forefront while playing with color and smart usage of space.

Manufactured in Los Angeles, mnmMOD panels are an efficient, durable, and fully customizable building material that yields “net-zero” efficiency, and creates a healthy, mold- and termite-free environment, while also reducing the amount of manpower needed during construction.

“mnmMOD panels incorporate high-quality, off-the-shelf, sustainable materials that have been researched, tested, and selected to meet stringent quality specifications,” says Thorsteinsson. “Materials are prefabricated into precisely cut panels at the factory, then flat-packed and delivered to the site where they are assembled.”

The mnmMOD building system was used for the walls, floor panels, and ceiling panels of the house. The interior floors on the first floor are concrete, while flooring for the upper floor is bamboo. Kirei Echopanels were installed in the living room to reduce noise.

Minarc made a conscious effort to use only materials in their most organic form, so they avoided carpets and tiles, and used recycled materials as much as possible.

Inspired by the dramatic landscape of Iceland, the design and clever use of color create contrasting interiors that stimulate the senses.

The orange kitchen island mimics volcanic lava flowing as it cuts across the main space to create a multi-functional communal area in the heart of the home.

A heated patio and fireplace in the outdoor dining area encourages an indoor/outdoor lifestyle, while the river rocks in the exterior courtyard give the outdoor spaces a soothing, Zen-like ambiance.

Minarc also designed the Plús Hús, a tiny prefab starting at $37,000.

Project Credits:

Architecture, interior, lighting, and landscape design: Minarc / @minarcdesign

Builder: mnmMOD Building System; Core Construction

Structural engineering: CW Howe Partners Inc.