United Kingdom Architect Tim Pyne found some property that was just where he wanted to live, but couldn't get permissions to build. He could, however, put a caravan on the site, otherwise known as a mobile home, and be completely within UK planning laws. But when Pyne took a look at the offerings in movable housing, they just weren't up to par. So he built his own-and called it the m-house (pronounced "mouse"). The m-house takes luxury living into the mobile environment, providing a proper solution to creative land use.

With its caravan status, a smart-looking neighbourhood of m-houses could crop up as a new, quick, yet permanent development on city docks. Or better yet, they can be outfitted with the means to float and become a houseboat community. In high-density neighbourhoods, an m-house can be tucked away in the back garden as additional living space for the family or renters, or maybe independent, very chic quarters for grandma and grandpa.

The m-house fits the specifications for a caravan/mobile home, which fall conveniently outside the grasp of many town planners. It is delivered to site in two three-meter wide sections and can be transported on the back of a lorry.

The first thought that comes to mind for a house like this is a weekend getaway spot, but Pyne's clients are using it for permanent housing. At 100 m², m-house is larger than many urban flats. And it includes many of the appointments that most urbanites would savour in a house, but would never be able to afford in most cities in the world. The large main room includes underfloor heating and a well-appointed, high-end kitchen/dining area. Bedrooms are bedrooms-not disguised as lounges, compact but with lots of storage. And the bath is large and as high-quality as could be expected in any upscale neighbourhood. The house even includes a covered veranda and a double-wide door to access it.

Owners can choose from an assortment of claddings, from cedar to aluminium sheets. Most attractive of all, people can own their own home, and if they don't like the neighbours or they have a job transfer, move the whole place to a different location.

The m-house structure is made of lightweight steel frame, which makes its wide open spaces possible. In fact, the interior walls can be eliminated and m-house becomes an office or retail space. Pyne proposed an m-hotel for the Shoreditch Goods Yard area in London, that is basically a gathering of m-house in a group. The m-hotel is a contemporary apart-hotel designed to be rented by corporations for periods of up to 3 months. According to the website, "here, executives can stay in a home-from-home environment (but probably a lot better) which allows them to entertain, relax (and work) in the centre of the coolest London quarter, a stone's throw from the office." So m-house's flexible floor plan space and luxury morphs to a temporary homey environment for displaced business people. The m-hotel would be built on a derelict site that currently has no plans for redevelopment. If plans crystalise for a more permanent development on the site in the future, m-hotel can "leave town."

To learn more about m-house, visit the website.

Key information

Number of storeys	1
New-build home

Location of steel solutions

External wall
Internal wall
Light steel sections