The idea for a completely off-grid prefab came to Mario Ojalo while observing urbanization patterns and land constraints during his travels around the world. “I noticed there isn't much habitable land left,” he says. “Or, where there is, the land itself is very expensive.”

Removing barriers to habitability, Ojalo, the CEO of Swedish prefab builder iOhouse, dreamt of a dwelling that could easily be placed in any location—even a remote one—without reliance on the grid. “We wanted to give people the option to live in places where it had not been possible before,” he shares.

It was from this lofty goal that The Space was born: a compact, entirely off-grid dwelling with considered design and bespoke interiors. Despite its small footprint—only 60 square meters, or about 650 square feet—no modern convenience is spared. In addition to built-in water, power, and sewer systems, the home has integrated WiFi along with a security system and smart home capabilities. To boot, it is movable and transportable, replacing the permanence of traditional home ownership with freedom and flexibility.

“People can place The Space somewhere for a certain time, then move it after a few years to a new location. By the sea, in the mountains—wherever life takes them,” muses Ojalo.

“Living in a smaller place doesn’t mean giving up on anything.”
—Mario Ojalo, CEO of iOhouse

The home uses a hybrid system for power, which supports the heating, cooling, ventilation, and electrical. Solar panels on the roof produce electricity, as does a generator that can be used as backup. A closed water purifying system maintains the home’s water supply and sewage management. There are two tanks under the home: one for clean water and one for sewage. Clean water is replenished by a local service provider, and the removal of waste similarly must be arranged for.

The Space perches lightly on the land, and embraces sustainable living practices in the process. Resting only on four concrete blocks, site work is minimized, as is disruption of the natural landscape. By handling production from start to finish in their European factory, iOhouse can streamline the building process, minimizing waste. Natural and sustainable finishes were carefully selected for the home, and the energy-neutral final product requires nothing from the grid.

Although the design can be shipped worldwide, distribution so far has focused on more accessible European markets. Pricing for a standard model starts at €225,000 (exclusive of taxes and transportation) and can exceed €450,000 for an upgraded model.

Reframing the idea of luxury, The Space promotes eco-conscious living without sacrificing the comforts and conveniences of urban life. Replacing living large with living deliberately, the integrated features and meticulously curated design details make the compact space feel exceptionally luxurious. “The world is changing, and more and more people are thinking about their ecological footprints and the quality of their lives,” Ojalo says. “Living in a smaller place doesn’t mean giving up on anything.”

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Project Credits:

Architect of Record: iOhouse / @iohouse

Interior Design: Kuup Disain / @kuupdisain

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This Off-Grid Prefab Is All About Location, Location, Location