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Affordability means different things for different people. Academy Award winning actor Matthew McConaughey believed his million plus manufactured home was a bargain compared to far higher prices in post Malibu, California. Similarly, in Sweden, where Global Property Guide tells MHLivingNews that the average cost per square meter (equal to 10.7639 U.S. square feet) is 6,991 euros ($8670.76 US) or $805.54 per square foot. With that in mind, and knowing that styles and tastes are different between people, cultures and nations, let’s take a quick look at “The Happy Cheap House,” that Jetson Green says is the handiwork of Swedish architect Tommy Carlsson.
Main entry, photo credits Jetson Green.
The Happy Cheap House is 110-square-metres or some 1,184 square feet in size. It’s a bold, two story plan, with an open design on the ground floor, while the upper level has two bedrooms and a lounge area.
Ground level, near entry.
The prototype was built on a 700-square-metre site – equal to about 7,500 U.S. square feet – using a prefabricated modular frame using laminated plywood.
Jetson says the shape can be changed to suit the tastes of a home buyer, and is well suited to more rapid assembly on location. The irregular shape and roof-line gives the home a bold look, and aides in keeping gutters clear of leaves or other debris.
Rear view, showing gutter off irregular roofline.
The exterior is clad in galvanized corrugated iron, while the interior and porch area are made of plywood panels. The angled shape of this home is obviously found in the interior too, mostly noticeably in the upstairs bedroom areas. The two stories are connected by a staircase which leads from the ground floor to the lounge area upstairs.
The upstairs lounge has a sloped ceiling and low windows, bringing in ample light. The bedrooms are irregular shaped as well, also boasting sloped ceilings and large windows.
Upper lounge view from staircase.
This lounge has a sloping ceiling and low picture windows, which bring in plenty of light and offer great views of the surrounding forest. A large door in the plywood wall can be closed to separate the lounge area from two irregularly shaped bedrooms, which also have slanting ceilings and large windows.
Lounge view 2.
For about the price of $181,000 in U.S. dollars, this might seem a bit high to some Americans, and is certainly many times higher than typical manufactured home pricing.
But $152 per square foot in Sweden makes it a fraction of the cost of $805.54 per square foot Global Property Guide says one should expect in that Scandinavian nation. While this is not currently offered in the U.S., the architect’s design and a proficient factory builder could likely mimic the design for those looking for a bold, Swedish look in North America. ##
(Photo credits: Jetson Green)
