When commissioned to design and build a Victorian-era inspired tiny home by a Doomsday Prepper client – that is, someone who wants to be prepared should a huge calamity befall civilization – Maximus Extreme Living Solutions was in its element. The firm duly produced the Victorian Prepper, a towable home ready to operate off-grid and complete with ample storage for food and firearms.
Victorian Prepper measures 8.6 ft x 21 ft (2.62 x 6 m), and its interior is dominated by a relatively large living space measuring roughly 178.5 sq ft (16.5 sq m). This area is decked with a hardwood floor, and includes a kitchen with steel apron sink, fridge freezer and microwave, plus a lounge space with sofa bed.
A brick hearth also clads one wall ready for the owner to add a wood-burning stove. The bathroom has concrete floors, a tiled shower stall with glass door, and a composting toilet. Domestic hot water is provided by two small on-demand hot water heaters.
The home includes two lofts. One is located above the kitchen in the home's turret and accessible via staircase (itself including storage space), and has plenty of room for food, clothing, household items, and firearms. The second is smaller and accessible via ladder, but has been designed to accommodate a year and a half's worth of dry food supplies. Access to the home is gained via combination lock-equipped front door and the exterior is clad in diamond shaped asphalt shingles and wood composite lap siding.
Notwithstanding its Victorian-era inspired styling, which includes ornate light fittings, intricate trim, and faux-tin ceiling tiles, Victorian Prepper features some modern sustainable technology and design. The Mansard roof is lined with a synthetic membrane that has a drain leading to a spigot near the front door. This can hold up to 300 US gallons (1,135 liters) if the spigot is closed, but the system is designed to then drain into a barrel to be purified and filtered.
Maximus Extreme Living Solutions finished the home with wiring ready for the new owner to install a solar panel system for off-grid living. Insulation comes in the form of structural insulated panels (SIPs), which the firm says can tackle temperature swings from -50° F to 150° F ( -45 to 65° C) without issue. We were also told that the walls and floor have an R-value rating of 25 while the roof has an R-value rating of 58.
Source: Maximus Extreme Living Solutions
