Adventures in Small Spaces: The Nano House

The Nano House, also known as the world's smallest green home, is officially up for sale and can be built on site. Photo: Nano Living Systems

The Nano House, the world’s smallest green home, is officially up for sale and marks the beginning of what could be a global housing trend that answers several of the Earth’s biggest environmental problems.

Measuring only 25 square meters, the Nano House boasts a design that can go from being a makeshift workplace during the daytime to a comfortable two-bedroom space at night.

This transition from day to night is a feature exclusive to the Nano House, and has garnered praise from architects and eco-conscious individuals around the world.

Among its lofty goals, the Nano House seeks to decrease the amount of CO2 emissions and is powered entirely by passive solar energy, which is both renewable and free.

The 200-square-foot home can reportedly house four family members, a point which may at first be unbelievable but given the habitat’s resourceful design, built-in furniture and inspiring minimalist décor, appears not only possible but also even agreeable.

First introduced in the United States in 2007, the retail price of the Nano House depends largely on the number and variety of customized features which are selected, including solar panels, solar water heaters, gray water systems and water collection systems. The base price, however, begins at $8,000.

In addition to its readymade solar panels, the Nano House features a rainwater catchment, green roof and structural insulated panels (SIPs).

Each structure contains a pre-engineered system that enables it to serve as a permanent residence and a means of aid for disaster relief. In fact, the Nano House can be built in as quickly as four days on site, so long as the foundation work has already been completed.

According to Nano Living Systems, the windows of the house serve as the passive solar collectors, installed in such a way that they will be able to absorb heat during the winter months while avoiding the high summer sun.

Other sustainable elements of the house include the use of a cross ventilation system that enhances the quality of the air and the installation of walls and ceiling panels that are specifically designed to regulate temperatures throughout the year, both hot and cold.

For instance, during the daytime, the walls will absorb and retain heat, while at night, the walls will release this stored heat to keep the house warm.

The Nano House is intended to provide housing for both single families and multiple families, as it can be constructed up to eight stories high without any need for extra steel framework. A separate model, also produced by Nano Living Systems, is the Nano Apartment, which can reportedly create 500-square-feet of space out of exactly half that amount.

The Nano Apartment is structured differently from the Nano House and receives natural light from only one wall. The space is divided by the fogged glass of the bathroom, which is intended to filter natural light into the bathroom while securing the privacy of the bathroom from the living room.

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