Portable House APH80 concrete facade

At first glance, this small structure in an archetypal house shape doesn’t look very inviting. Covered in cement board panels and entirely closed up, the house doesn’t appear to have doors or windows at all. But that’s part of what makes it so portable. The APH80 series of prefabricated small houses by architectural firm ABATON is made to be easily shipped on the back of a truck.

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Portable House APH80 on truc
Portable House APH80 in field

Designed to go virtually anywhere, this little getaway maintains the proportions of an average-sized home complete with a living room, kitchen, bathroom and double bedroom, packed into just 27 square meters (290 square feet.)

Portable House APH80

Though it appears to be extremely heavy and solid, it’s actually made of lightweight grey cement wood privacy boards that open to reveal glazed windows and doors, opening the home to the outside to multiply the available living space.

Portable House APH80 windows
Portable House APH80 inside

The interior is clad in solid timber for a homey, substantial feel, and as small as the home is, it still has a closed-off bedroom for a sense of privacy.

“ÁBATON has developed the ÁPH80 series as a dwelling ideal for 2 people, easily transported by road and ready to be placed almost anywhere. The proportions are the result of a thorough study by our architects’ team so that the different spaces are recognizable and the feeling indoors is one of fullness. It is a simple yet sturdy construction made of materials chosen to provide both comfort and balance. ÁPH80 embodies the principles and objectives of ÁBATON: wellbeing, environmental balance, and simplicity.”

Portable House APH80 interior
Portable House APH80 plywood

“ÁPH80 has 3 different spaces measuring 27 sq mt (9×3): a living-room/kitchen, a full bathroom and double bedroom. Its gabled roof is 3,5mts high indoors. Most of the materials can be recycled and meet the sustainable criteria that ÁBATON applies to all its projects. It blends in with the environment thanks to its large openings that bring the outdoors inside. The use of wood throughout the building not only adds calmness and balance but it is also hypoallergenic. The sourced wood comes from regulated forests (will regrow to provide a wide range of other benefits such as further carbon storage, oxygen generation and forest habitat).”