Designers never seem to run out of new ideas for the humble tiny house. Case in point is the MO.CA (or Mobile Catalyst), which features a space-saving interior layout that opens up to the outside with operable walls.
MO.CA was built by students and researchers at Spain’s Institute for Advanced Architecture in Catalonia (IAAC) for their thesis. It’s based on a double-axle trailer and has a length of 5.4 m (17.8 ft), helping it meet strict local towing laws.
The house is primarily made from locally sourced cross-laminated timber (CLT), and its exterior is finished in lightweight water-resistant cotton. The interior layout is centered around the main living/dining area. When the weather is nice, the fabric facades can be raised using a pulley system. Large glass doors can also be opened.
The main living space area is bookended by two areas called “Toolboxes.” Toolbox A contains a bathroom with shower, sink and toilet, plus there’s an adjacent kitchen unit with a stove and a fridge. Toolbox B, meanwhile, is simpler and just hosts storage space. Above each Toolboxe is a loft-style bedroom reached by removable ladder.
The MO.CA runs off-grid with a solar panel array on its roof, which is hooked up to a battery. There’s also a composting toilet in the bathroom and a greywater recycling system to reuse water.
Source: IAAC