Leaf House, designed by Laird Herbert of Canada, is now at Version 3 and according to the designers, it is suitable for living it at -58 °F (-50 °C). The new version is also lighter and larger, but weighs less than the original model. It is perfect for anyone considering a tiny home that they can easily transport to anywhere in the world, including some very cold regions.
Leaf House Version 3 is 16 feet (4.9 m) long and has an interior floor space of 97 square feet (9 square meters). It can be towed in the back of a car, and is made using sustainable, FSC wood and reclaimed materials, such as repurposed metal mesh. Only LED lighting is used to light the interior, while the house also features a specially made Murphy Bed, a full kitchen with a double stove, a sink, and a small fridge freezer. There is also a small bathroom with a shower and a composting toilet.
The designers also installed a mirror wall, which makes this tiny home appear larger. Decreased overall weight was made possible by some innovative decisions, such as a foam board with a concrete top, and using curtains instead of cupboards to separate the storage spaces from the rest of the dwelling areas.
Leaf House Version 3 was insulated using Panasonic Vacuum Insulated Panel (VIP)-based insulation, which has an R-Value of R30 per 0.5-in (1.27 cm) according to the manufacturer. VIPs were used to insulate the floor and roof to R68, and the walls are insulated to R38, which goes a long way towards making this home suitable to colder climates.
The home was also fitted with quad-pane windows, energy-efficient electric radiant heaters, and a Lunos E2 Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV). Leaf house is also equipped with a 30-gallon (113-liter) water tank that is connected to a vent-free tankless propane water heater and is able to satisfy all hot water needs of the occupants.
Leaf House does not have off-the-grid capabilities, since it needs to be connected to an electrical grid in order for the heating system to work. But the designers are planning to make the next version totally off-the-grid by fitting it with a wood-burning stove.
Herbert is currently still testing the home by living it in it full time in a small town near Whitehorse, Yukon. According to him, the home is performing very well and he will soon begin offering the home for sale. It is estimated the home will cost around $40,000.
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