Microhouse "Smart Module" and other designs.

Microhouse is a Seattle based design firm, that according to their website, includes architects, landscape architects, and designers.  They specialize, as their name suggests, in small house designs.  They promote these designs as backyard cottages or ADU's (accessory dwelling units), and they range in size from 120  up to 1,200 square feet. 

Smart Module axonometric drawing

"Zero House" A Totally Self Sustaining House Concept

This concept is called the Zero House, and it was developed by a couple of architects who attended the Yale School of Architecture. 

Image © Specht Harpman Architects

 

Image © Specht Harpman Architects

Together, they have a firm called Specht Harpman Architects, with offices in New York City, and Austin, Texas.  The concept is extensively and remarkably well thought-out.  Absolutely no external hookups for electricity, water supply, or waste removal are required.  

It collects and stores up to 2,700 gallons of rainwater in a series of cisterns near the top so that the fixtures below can all be gravity fed, thus requiring no pumps. The water is filtered, then sterilized with UV light.  A 7,000 watt photovoltaic panel system on the roof feed electrons to an extensive battery bank that may not only meet, but potentially exceed the home's electrical requirements. Perhaps there would be a little left over to charge-up the electric car?  

It sleeps four adults and comes equipped with two king sized mattresses.  LED lighting, a Sun-Mar low flush porcelain toilet with remote composting chamber, tons of clever storage, a large flat panel TV, built-in furniture, a full-sized refrigerator, microwave oven, and an induction cook-top in the kitchen are all part of the package. 

Image © Specht Harpman Architects