This Floating, Off-Grid Prefab Can Be Assembled in Just Two Days

Ready for life on land or water, the net-zero LilliHaus is a plug-and-play prefab by SysHaus.

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The Brazilian firm SysHaus recently added a new member to its family of sustainable prefabs. Known as the LilliHaus, the off-grid dwelling measures 10' x 39', making it the largest of the firm’s three plug-and-play structures. With its self-contained, minimalist design, the tiny home is ready to pop up on land or water.

An aerial view of a WaterlilliHaus prefab floating on a lake near Joanópolis, Brazil, about two hours north of São Paulo. SysHaus also offers two smaller versions: the MiniHaus and the NanoHaus.

While the design is suitable for life on land, the owners of this one decided to mount it on a floating catamaran, which can be moored to a buoy or sailed at speeds of up to four knots. The tiny house, called Altar, is currently offered as a rental on Airbnb.

The home is able to accommodate an off-grid lifestyle, although it can be hooked up to the grid as well. "Solar panels generate energy that is accumulated in a battery system and used when necessary at 12 or 110 volts," says the firm. "All black water and gray water pass through an aerobic and biological treatment station, including a three-phase biodigester system, before returning to the environment in conditions of physical, chemical, and bacteriological purity. For drinking water, the water surrounding the house is also purified and used."

The home’s minimalist interior features light hardwood floors and wood-clad walls and ceilings. A fireplace in the living room creates a cozy atmosphere. — The home’s minimalist interior features light hardwood floors and wood-clad walls and ceilings. A fireplace in the living room creates a cozy atmosphere.

Just as with SysHaus’s other designs, the LilliHaus is made from 100% recyclable materials. Light, refurbished hardwoods run throughout, while floor-to-ceiling windows draw in ample natural light—and provide an opportunity to wake up to breathtaking water views.

Sliding glass doors open the bedroom to the wraparound deck while framing water views.

Innovative engineering and smart technology are also central features in the design. "LilliHaus has openings in the floor and ceiling, creating a natural ventilation system that allows hot air to escape out the top and fresh air to come in underneath the house," says the firm. "It provides a continuous flow of air and a great thermal sensation. [The entire system] can also be controlled remotely, offering security and the ability to monitor household energy consumption."