Small Eco Houses: The Rincon from Marmol Radziner Prefab

The Rincon prefab from Marmol Radziner is 660 square feet of cool, comfortable living.

By Cristina Paredes Benítez and Àlex Sánchez Vidiella
January 2010 Web
Marmol Radziner Prefab Rincon sliding wall
Image Gallery
The sliding wall blurs the limits between interior and exterior and can also be used to create cross ventilation. The porches provide shade in summer, reducing the need for air-conditioning.
Photo By Tyler Boye
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The following is an excerpt from "Small Eco Houses: Living Green in Style" by Cristina Paredes Benítez and Àlex Sánchez Vidiella (Universe Publishing, 2010). "Small Eco Houses" features more than 50 small, green homes, such as this prefab home from Marmol Radziner Prefab.

One of the latest designs from the Marmol Radziner Prefab venture, founded in 2005, is the Rincon prefabricated module. This and the firm’s other models are factory built and delivered complete to the site. Prefabricated construction is beneficial for the environment as it lowers building materials expenses and transportation costs, and factory production reduces the environmental impact on the final site. CO2 emissions are also lower, as materials do not need to be transported, only the house, once it has been assembled.

The Rincon module is the largest of their series of single-module accessory buildings. It features one bedroom, a full kitchen, a bathroom, a living area, bamboo flooring, and a large outdoor deck. The main materials are steel and glass.

Homeowners can choose from a number of custom sustainable features. Solar panels, for example, allow the house to function off-grid, generating 100 watts to 2 kilowatts. Custom additions of insulation with recycled materials, recycled steel, LED lighting, nontoxic paints, and glass with superior insulation and UV protection are also possible.

The Rincon features:

• Recycled and recyclable materials such as steel and bamboo; glass with 39 percent higher insulation than standard; FSC-certified wood; nontoxic paints; insulated glass with UV protection

• Photovoltaic panels; energy-efficient appliances; LED lighting; on-demand hot water heater

• Insulated panels; glass expanses favoring cross ventilation; shaded porches, reducing the need for air conditioning

• 660 square feet

See the photo gallery for more images of this home! 

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Archived Comments

  • Gary_3 2/17/2011 8:23:27 AM

    I was interested in this subject but the photography in these articles is appalling.
    Is this really the best you can do?
    I'm about 1" from unsubscribing from this newsletter.
    Shape up or get shipped out.

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