These $31K Micro Cabins Are Light Enough to Be Dropped Into Place by a Helicopter
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When the pandemic struck and created isolating conditions, Finnish architecture firm Studio Puisto began thinking about how to make the best of them. The team developed an angular, 100-square-foot prefab shed that aimed to provide a silver lining in a dire moment.
"The cabin was designed to emphasize how a minimal space with only the essentials can allow us to enjoy what matters most," says company cofounder Willem van Bolderen. "It’s a modern, mass timber cabin constructed from Finnish wood that acts as a dedicated space to unwind, think, and recharge."
In the years since the first Space of Mind cabin was built, the firm has seen it used as an office by people who aren’t too far from the grid, and a cabin by some who are well off of it. Meant primarily for hoteliers looking to establish retreats, the cabin’s small size makes it easy to place anywhere. "Its modular system allows for flexibility," van Bolderen says. "We wanted people to have a home away from home."
Here, van Bolderen shares one of the company’s favorite builds to date, and what makes their cabin stand apart from the rest.
The Space of Mind cabin by Finnish design firm Studio Puisto is a roughly 100-square-foot prefab that can be flat-packed and shipped across the world.
What’s the most exciting project you’ve realized to date?
Since wellness is an important aspect of Space of Mind, we recently created sauna versions of the cabin. In the summer of 2022, we had one featured in the Fiskars Village Biennale (an art and design event in Finland). We have also been excited to see clients from other parts of the world take interest. We had a Space of Mind shipped to North America for the first time not too long ago, where it has been assembled in a mountainous area of California, and will be available to book through Airbnb.
This cabin was just completed in the mountains of California.
What does your base model cost and what does that pricing include?
The flat-pack version, which is for customers outside of the Nordics, starts at £25,000 (about $30,475 in U.S. dollars), and installation is extra. The fully assembled Space of Mind starts at £45,000 (about $54,848).
Company founder Willem van Bolderen says it can deliver a prefab within six weeks from the date of purchase.
What qualities make your prefab stand apart from the rest?
Space of Mind was strategically designed to be light enough to transport by helicopter or crane so it could be available to those in the most remote locations. It was developed with the hospitality business at the forefront: The cabin includes an integrated booking system for owners looking to rent out their cabins. Guests can automatically check in and out, and leave reviews with our app.
The V-shaped roof gives the cabin a striking silhouette.
Where is the prefab currently available?
Space of Mind can be delivered and placed anywhere. In Finland, it can be delivered on a truck either assembled or flat-packed, or by helicopter, if the location is difficult to reach.
A floor-to-ceiling window covers one side of the cabin.
Is your design currently pre-permitted in any U.S. municipalities?
With a building footprint of about 107 square feet, Space of Mind does not require a building permit in most municipalities.
Are there plans to expand to different parts of the world?
We can ship Space of Mind anywhere in the world.
The cabin can be ordered as a sauna, too.
How long can a client expect the process to take after they put down a deposit?
The process, from start to finish, takes six weeks.
For those in the United States, the Space of Mind cabin will be delivered as a flat-pack structure that should be assembled by a professional.
What aspects of an install do you manage?
In Northern Europe, Space of Mind is delivered to a site fully assembled, and, since it’s meant to be off-grid, is designed to be exempt from requiring a building permit in most areas. For international purchases, it is flat-packed and your local contractor will assemble it. The owner is responsible for providing a foundation and checking with their local municipality to see if a permit is required. If the owner is interested in electricity, we can take care of the wiring, and a local electrician can connect it to a network.
Clients can choose between wood and steel for its exterior.
What aspects of the design can a client customize?
The client can choose between wood and steel cladding to best fit the location of the cabin. The client can customize additions—like a summer kitchen, carpet and floor heating, or electricity—as well. Space of Mind has a modular interior and can suite a variety of purposes.
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