Dimensions X Is Building Prefab Cabins Made Almost Entirely From Recyclable Materials

Welcome to Prefab Profiles, an ongoing series of interviews with people transforming how we build houses. From prefab tiny houses and modular cabin kits to entire homes ready to ship, their projects represent some of the best ideas in the industry. Do you know a prefab brand that should be on our radar? Get in touch!

Dimensions X was founded in 2020 by entrepreneur Oscar Martin and architect Peter Stutchbury to answer one question: How can prefab housing be more site-responsive? Their answer is this modular cross-laminated timber unit, a roughly 600-square-foot cabin where everything from its dimensions to its envelope can be optimized and adjusted to better suit its environment, and its owner. Here, Oscar tells us about how the vision for the OM-1 came about, and where things are headed next for the company.

What’s the most exciting project you’ve realized to date?

Dimensions X Farmstay at Krinklewood Estate in Hunter Valley, NSW is the home of the OM-1 prototype. The project won the NSW AIA Small Projects Award and has been shortlisted for a national award. OM-1 has also received a NSW AIA sustainability award and new residence commendation.

Seventeen of our cabins and a 22-room motel have been approved as part of the master plan at the estate. The homes will not only offer a showcase for potential OM-1 purchases, but also offer short and long stays for tourists and guests attending weddings on the property.  The most recent OM-1 was assembled in just three weeks and has been configured to suit the needs of the holiday stays on-site.

What does your base model cost and what does that pricing include?

The base model is $145k to $260k AUS, plus the costs of assembly by a contractor or homebuilder. All pricing can be viewed here.

What qualities make your prefab stand apart from the rest?

Designed by Peter Stutchbury, one of Australia’s leading architects and champions for sustainability, OM-1 is possibly the most flexible prefabricated planet-friendly home ever to exist. Its materials are recyclable, and the cabin can be relocated at any time. It requires very little energy to run, which means operating costs are low. A recent analysis found it to be carbon negative.

The OM-1 base model can be configured online with exact pricing, which includes add-ons provided by partners that share our vision for sustainability.

Where do you ship/where is the prefab currently available?

It is currently available in Australia.

Is your design currently pre-permitted in any U.S. municipalities?

Not currently.

Are there plans to expand to different parts of the country/world?

We are exploring the possibility of shipping to New Zealand, the United States, and Europe—anywhere cross-laminated timber is available.

How long can a client expect the process to take after they put down a deposit?

Materials can be delivered to the site in three months after council approval. The default OM-1 model takes approximately three to six weeks to assemble.

What aspects of an install do you manage?

We can manage council approvals and the delivery of materials to the site. We recommend builders who can manage all aspects of assembly and construction. We can also recommended electricians and plumbers.

What aspects of the design can a client customize?

Everything!

See more from Dimensions X:

This Prefab Company in Australia Wants to Be the Tesla of Home Building

The 20 Most-Liked Homes on Our Instagram in 2022