The Small Duna House: Rethinking the Relationship Between Compact Living and Sustainable Design

The Small Duna House

The Portuguese woodworking studio Madeiguincho has unveiled its latest project: the Small Duna House, which demonstrates that luxury does not depend on size. This house represents a carefully considered response to the client’s desire to combine urban comfort with a mobile lifestyle away from the conventional power grid.

Design and Size

The house is built on a six-meter, double-axle trailer, making it an example of balance between mobility and livability. The compact design does not compromise the quality of the living experience; rather, it redefines what can be considered a luxurious space within limited dimensions.

Materials and Craftsmanship

The exterior structure features wood covering the entire building, providing a natural sense of warmth and highlighting the high level of craftsmanship. These details are not merely aesthetic; they reflect the operator’s expertise since 1990 in working with wood, with every panel and joint meticulously designed to ensure both durability and visual appeal. Material datasheets provide additional details on the materials used.

Sustainability and Energy

The roof of the house is fully equipped with solar panels, allowing the generation of all necessary energy to operate the home independently from the electrical grid. This highlights the focus on sustainability and the use of modern energy solutions that support off-grid living. The project demonstrates principles relevant to architectural research in sustainable design.

Autonomy and Solar Power

The solar system enables the Duna House to settle in remote natural areas of Switzerland, where the owner wished to live away from power lines and municipal services. This reflects a focus on independent living and the use of sustainable energy solutions in isolated environments. Such approaches can be found in other projects focusing on off-grid living.

Interior Design and the Warmth of Wood

Upon entering, wood dominates the interior, with rich wooden surfaces creating a warm and natural atmosphere. The house is designed for two people, making use of every centimeter for multiple purposes, and the layout allows for fluidity between the living area and the bedroom. All spaces are covered in carefully selected warm wood tones, enhancing a sense of comfort and stability. The interior design reflects this attention to detail.

Innovation in Bathroom Design

The bathroom demonstrates functional ingenuity. Rather than being a secondary space, the house features a secondary exterior entrance to the bathroom, transforming it into a practical area where shoes can be removed, pets can be dried, and outdoor equipment can be stored without affecting the cleanliness of living spaces. Additionally, the bathroom is equipped with an outdoor shower, ideal for rinsing off after a day exploring nature.

Design Philosophy of the Duna House

What makes Duna special is not a single feature, but the harmony of all its elements. The owner did not want to sacrifice modern comfort or live in primitive conditions; rather, they desired the experience of urban apartment living in the heart of isolation. The design succeeds in this, as the space feels complete and refined, offering a high-quality living experience that resembles genuine life more than traditional camping.

Rethinking the Meaning of Home

The timing of this project is particularly relevant, as many people are reconsidering what home truly means and whether bigger always equals better. Duna proposes a different equation: the quality of materials, attention to design, and connection with the surrounding environment become more important than extra rooms, which often remain unused.

Craftsmanship and Natural Materials

Madeiguincho has solidified its position in the world of small houses through a commitment to traditional craftsmanship and the use of natural materials. Unlike some who focus on industrial efficiency or overly modern aesthetics, Duna reflects the philosophy of the Portuguese studio, offering a home that appears timeless rather than merely trendy, handcrafted rather than mass-produced. The emphasis on buildings constructed with care is notable.

Slow Living and Attention to Detail

Duna exemplifies the slow living approach, with a design that emphasizes awareness of the seasons and sunlight, reminding that the smallest spaces can hold the greatest potential. This highlights the importance of considering quality of life and the living experience rather than focusing solely on size. Such approaches are frequently discussed in architectural discussions.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

While the Small Duna House offers a clear example of optimizing small spaces, relying on sustainable energy, and showcasing traditional craftsmanship, the project also raises several questions when viewed from a broader architectural perspective. On the positive side, one can observe how the integration of natural materials with a mobile design allows for greater owner autonomy and enhances awareness of the surrounding environment, a lesson that could be applied to other small-scale or mobile design projects.

However, certain reservations arise when considering scalability, long-term comfort, and adaptability to multiple occupants or diverse uses. The limited space makes it challenging to accommodate more than two people or to implement future modifications easily, reducing flexibility in use. Additionally, full reliance on solar energy solutions in a specific environment may require careful study of climatic conditions to ensure continuity, which could pose a challenge in other regions.

Furthermore, the project raises questions about cost versus practical benefit, as handcrafted details and natural materials result in higher expenses compared to modular or industrial solutions, potentially limiting the model’s replicability on a larger scale.

Ultimately, Duna can be seen as a thought-provoking experiment in sustainable and independent design, emphasizing material quality and slow living. At the same time, it offers architects and designers an opportunity to critically reflect on balancing comfort, flexibility, and practical feasibility, especially when dealing with small spaces and portable projects.