Architecture

Prefab small home appears to float in mid-air

Prefab small home appears to float in mid-air
The smallest basic Mima Light costs €27,625
The smallest basic Mima Light costs €27,625
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The glazed section in the center allows daylight in
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The glazed section in the center allows daylight in
The home is clad in aluminum
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The home is clad in aluminum
The Mima Light takes the form of a simple rectangular box shape
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The Mima Light takes the form of a simple rectangular box shape
A mirrored base area cleverly hides the foundations and makes the home appear to float
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A mirrored base area cleverly hides the foundations and makes the home appear to float
The home can be delivered to anywhere in the European Union
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The home can be delivered to anywhere in the European Union
Modular prefabricated housing enables firms the chance to offer customizable homes and the Mima Light is no exception
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Modular prefabricated housing enables firms the chance to offer customizable homes and the Mima Light is no exception
Access is gained via a glass door at each side of the home, but looks quite a large step up to get there
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Access is gained via a glass door at each side of the home, but looks quite a large step up to get there
View toward the kitchen unit
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View toward the kitchen unit
The interior layout is customizable
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The interior layout is customizable
The smallest model comes in at 21.6 sq m, (232 sq ft) of total floorspace
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The smallest model comes in at 21.6 sq m, (232 sq ft) of total floorspace
Inside the Mima Light
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Inside the Mima Light
The largest model measures a total of 32.4 sq m (348 sq ft) of floorspace
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The largest model measures a total of 32.4 sq m (348 sq ft) of floorspace
The home is clad in aluminum but if you peeled back its layers like an onion, you'd find a sandwich panel that includes CLT (cross-laminated timber) and insulation
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The home is clad in aluminum but if you peeled back its layers like an onion, you'd find a sandwich panel that includes CLT (cross-laminated timber) and insulation
Portuguese prefabricated architecture firm Mima Housing recently completed its latest design, the Mima Light
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Portuguese prefabricated architecture firm Mima Housing recently completed its latest design, the Mima Light
Its mirrored section really does lend the appearance of it floating – in the carefully-staged photos at least
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Its mirrored section really does lend the appearance of it floating – in the carefully-staged photos at least
The home can operate on or off-the-grid
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The home can operate on or off-the-grid
The home is clad in aluminum but if you peeled back its layers like an onion, you'd find a sandwich panel that includes CLT (cross-laminated timber) and insulation
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The home is clad in aluminum but if you peeled back its layers like an onion, you'd find a sandwich panel that includes CLT (cross-laminated timber) and insulation
Its mirrored section really does lend the appearance of it floating – in the carefully-staged photos at least
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Its mirrored section really does lend the appearance of it floating – in the carefully-staged photos at least
Mima Light gets its power from the grid as standard, but free-spirited types can install a solar hot water and electricity kit at cost
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Mima Light gets its power from the grid as standard, but free-spirited types can install a solar hot water and electricity kit at cost
There's no mention of a composting toilet or rainwater system in the firm's many options, but we'd guess they could be installed at cost
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There's no mention of a composting toilet or rainwater system in the firm's many options, but we'd guess they could be installed at cost
The Mima Light is essentially a rectangular box shape
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The Mima Light is essentially a rectangular box shape
The smallest basic Mima Light costs €27,625
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The smallest basic Mima Light costs €27,625
The bedroom
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The bedroom
The dining area
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The dining area
The home is small and would suit a couple, not a family
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The home is small and would suit a couple, not a family
View toward one of the large glazed doors
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View toward one of the large glazed doors
The dining area
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The dining area
A glazed section in the center allows outside light indoors
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A glazed section in the center allows outside light indoors
The kitchen unit
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The kitchen unit
Inside the bathroom
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Inside the bathroom
View gallery - 30 images

Portuguese prefabricated housing firm Mima Housing recently unveiled its latest design, the Mima Light. Featuring a mirrored base section that makes it appear to float in mid-air, the compact prefab comes in multiple sizes and configurations, including the ability to run off-the-grid.

Mima Light takes the form of a simple rectangular box shape, not unlike the ÁPH80 or Minimod. A mirrored base area hides its wooden pole foundations and lends the floating effect. The home is available in several sizes and configurations, with the smallest unit comprising a total floorspace of 21.6 sq m, (232 sq ft), and the largest 32.4 sq m (348 sq ft).

The interior layout can also be configured, and the double bed, kitchen, bathroom with shower, and lounge/dining area can be moved around and resized, but will remain suitable for a couple of people only. Access comes via a large glass door at each end, though it looks a big step up to get there.

The home is clad in aluminum and features a laminated glazed area toward the middle. If you peeled back its layers like an onion, you'd find a sandwich panel including CLT (cross-laminated timber) and insulation, plus a final layer of lacquered wood, which offers a utilitarian finish inside.

The dining area
The dining area

Mima Light is powered by the grid as standard but Mima Housing told Gizmag that an optional solar power setup is available. Though the firm made no mention of a composting toilet or rainwater collection system, it should be relatively easy to add these, too.

The smallest and most basic Mima Light fetches €27,625 (roughly US$31,000), while the largest commands €36,500 ($41,000). Shipping is to the European Union only.

Source: Mima Housing

View gallery - 30 images
2 comments
2 comments
Bob Flint
The problem with the mirrors touching the ground is the dirt from even the grass and pollen will render this filthy in hours, never mind the rain or snow...
Runklmstiltzskin
Hey,Bob,doncha Know they have these new outdoor mirrors that stay clean even in the rain..........They don't get dirty ever!!.........LOL :-)