The idea of a prefabricated cabin, with components light enough to carry and assemble without heavy machinery, had long had a siren call for owner and architect Mark Fullagar. After many nights sketching and dreaming of the perfect solution, Fullagar came up with the Fabshack—a 540-square-foot cabin with 90 percent of its structure built off-site.

Designed and built by Fullagar, the compact, comfortable cabin has a queen-size Murphy bed, seating area, storage, open kitchen and dining room, bathroom, laundry room, and deck from which to enjoy mountain views on his 26-acre property in Cattai, a suburb of Sydney, Australia.

The cabin is constructed of cost-effective, non-combustible materials in 8-foot-wide bays. Each bay consists of hollow-insulated plywood panels nestled within a steel frame, elevated on piers that lift the structure above the ground. Insulated plywood forms the continuous ceiling and curved wall of the cabin, creating a soft interior while facilitating necessary rainwater drainage on the outside.

Corrugated steel, aluminum window frames, and strengthened glass create an industrial exterior. By contrast, the plywood-wrapped interior adds warmth and texture to complement the natural setting. Green linoleum countertops and black millwork enliven the muted palette. Large windows face west to take in the mountain views, with sliding shutters that protect against the afternoon sun.

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Ninety percent of the work was completed in a workshop, meaning minimal labor time was spent on site. All components were packed in one shipping container, and each component was carried by one or two people to the site.

The Fabshack demonstrates the flexibility and adaptability of prefab construction. Since the cabin is comprised of modular bays, it can be modified for different purposes or sites, its components easily dismantled and recycled, and its materials upgraded depending on preferences and budget.

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Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Mark Fullagar

Builder / General Contractor: Mark Fullagar

Structural Engineer: Taylor Thomson Whitting