Off-grid modular prefabricated cabins

Adelaide based design studio launches modular prefabricated cabins for rural retreats.

Created by Adelaide-based collective of entrepreneurs and designed by architecture and interior design practice Das Studio, a new raft of retreats seek to combine the pared back appeal of off-grid prefabricated cabins with luxury experiences.

Led by husband and wife directors, Dino Vrynios and Sara Horstmann, who in recent years have established their architectural practice, Das Studio, as highly progressive in modular construction methodologies. Their approach to prefabrication is based on the philosophy that construction is a spectrum, and that all design outcomes are ‘best for project’.

Their latest iteration of that philosophy is set to expand in 2022 after launching their pilot modular prefabricated cabin in 2018 called Escapod.

The modular prefabricated cabins are project managed by their construction consultancy subsidiary, MDLR, and their first Escapod is set amongst the vines at the Vineyard Retreat in McLaren Vale, south of Adelaide.

“The Vineyard Retreat was the pilot project…for a concept that had been developed around providing premium off-grid five star accommodation in remote and regional areas where you wouldn’t traditionally find such accommodation,” said Vrynios.

“Whether it be a working vineyard, a national park, or an environmentally sensitive landscape, that was the initial seed of the idea,” Vrynios explained.

The design of the Escapod draws on Vrynios’ expertise in prefabricated construction, with a new focus on applying these principles in a low-impact, high-quality way to the tourism sector.

The goal of the project was to create a self-contained retreat that could be placed in remote or secluded locations that might traditionally have proven time and cost-intensive to develop.

“We use detailed modelling to quantify steel, timber, linings and all the different products and elements that go into making the building so that we create optimised construction outcomes and mitigate our waste during the build as well,” he said.

“The whole process is about being quite efficient,” he said, in creating luxury spaces that elevate the experience of logging off from the grind.

“We believe there is a better way to build, and prefabrication, manufacturing and modularisation is part of the solution,” Vrynios said.

“I think the preconception that people have around modular or prefab, or even tiny homes for that matter is that it is generally a lower quality building. We wanted to demonstrate that’s not the case.”

Potential clients include property owners who do want to develop and run luxury accommodation themselves, but were looking to diversify the value of their existing property.

Image credit: Sam Noonan

See: www.mdlr.com.au
See: www.das-studio.com.au