Solar-powered Casa C is an affordable prefab home for a family of five

This solar-powered, low budget home for a family of five marries eco-friendly design with affordability. The owners commissioned architecture firm HHF to design an affordable, custom prefab house with high ecological standards using clever, tried-and-true design principles.

The house is located in Ziefen, a village near Basel, Switzerland. Instead of ordering a pre-made, prefab house from a catalogue, the owners opted for a custom-designed structure which would marry affordability and green design. This was achieved largely through smart organization and the introduction of two unheated spaces in two sides of the building which present an additional layer of insulation. It has a porch and a loggia on two sides which help insulate the interior space

The final design was of a house built using prefab elements, industrial materials and rough wood and concrete. The central area of the house functions as the living room, kitchen area, an office space, and the master bedroom with bathroom. Fully glazed with operable glass, the living area and kitchen face a large porch that overlooks the garden. Three smaller bedrooms with a bathroom and laundry occupy the upper floor.