ECO HAB™ - What Do We Do?

We design and build a range of pre-fabricated eco homes starting from 3m in diameter.

ECO HAB™ 3m, 4m, 6m and 8m EcoPods are constructed to the highest quality and level of insulation. They are designed to be robust and last a lifetime, the extensive draft proofing and the use of a heat recovery ventilation system maximise their fuel efficiency in the cold weather and our design helps to keep the Pods cooler in the summer.

Items such as Hot Air Recovery Unit, Under Floor Heating Pipes, and Waste Recycling Facility can be fitted on request. Both single and two storey EcoPods sit plinth, beneath which is a lower services area, where all the basic plumbing, water storage, pumps, and batteries are stored, if required.

Built off site, in our quality controlled workshop, and erected quickly and quietly in a matter of days, these homes will minimise the disruption and inconvenience often associated with a new build.

The 3m diameter O-Pod - single storey, cylindrical style This useful compact EcoPod has been designed as a garden office, play room, studio or handy store, which should not require planning permission or structural foundations in most circumstances. It can be erected on site by hand in less than a day. We also offer this style of Pod in a 4m, 5m and 6m version, all with the attractive dome roof to allow maximum ingress for natural light, to offer additional outdoor space for a variety of uses.

The 4m dianeter EcoPod - single or two storey The original EcoPod, our 4m Pod has been designed as a short term holiday home, for 1 to 2 people, or long term single occupancy. This model offer compact living and has 12m² of floor area on each level. The ground floor comprises of a kitchen diner / living room and a separate bathroom. The first floor is the bedroom which is also styled to double as a study, and can have a Perspex disc (1 metre dia x 25mm thick) covered in toughened glass set into the floor to let daylight permeate the ground floor. The transparent domed roof light allows for an abundance of natural lighting and can be shaded as required. Applications can also include additional living or office space, guest accommodation, ‘granny flat’, eco - holiday home or as promotional / sales kiosks.

The 6m diameter EcoPod - single or double storey This comfortable Pod can have one bedroom single level or a two bed roomed 2 storey dwelling, with a floor area of approx 28m² per level. It is designed as either a long term home for a family of four or as a short term dwelling (for example in the holiday / leisure industry) for up to 4 people. As this is a much larger structure than the ECO HAB™ 4m, and it has to be assembled and completed onsite. Planning permission may not be required for the 4 or 6 m diameter single level Pod, if they are used as a garden /play room/office/studio, etc. however access will be required for mechanical lifting equipment for installation.

The 8m diameter EcoPod - single, double or triple storey The most spacious and versatile of the EcoPods, with a generous 48m2 per level, these offer a range of options including a complete three or four bedroom home. The 3 storey Pod can accommodate 5 bedrooms, a games room or study, living room and a 3rd floor viewing lounge. Access to the upper levels is by a central spiral stair case, which is flooded with natural light via the glazed roof dome.

Linking Pods
All single level Pods can be linked together to offer a wide variety of options, and accommodation.

All Pods can be supplied as fully fitted, or as an empty shell or any permutation to suit the purpose.

1. ‘ON GRID’ – Connected to mains electricity, water supply and sewage/waste utilities etc.
2. ‘OFF GRID’ –This option is for the enthusiast who has no access to services, This can be partial or Totally stand alone using Wind Power, Battery Power Storage, Photovoltaic Panels, Solar Panels, Hot Water Storage, Gas Powered Standby Generator.


Construction of the ECO POD

We employ these construction methods:

• The shell of each half is built around the steel and laminated native timber frame.
• The interior is clad with fire proof fibre board and finished with an internal plaster skim.
• The exterior is insulated using 100mm – 120mm of polyurethane foam. (This gives the built superb insulation and additional strength.)
• The exterior is then finished with a choice of cladding, including cedar shingles and recycled plastic ‘slates’.
• Both the structures sit on 120mm deep reinforced concrete base, with a ‘cast in’ maintenance free tile effect and under floor heating pipes. (Connection to a heating system is an optional extra).

Foundations:

There are four main options:
• Sit directly in concrete pads (no foundation, suitable for single level Garden Pods)
• Installation of screw piles. This involves minimal site disturbance
• A ring reinforced concrete beam can be installed.
• A 200mm deep reinforced concrete slab sitting on a hard core base.

A site inspection will be required prior to installation of the pod. Foundation work can be carried out by ourselves if required, or others, and is not included in the price of the pod.

Site inspection is included in the cost of the purchase, less fees and expenses.


Interior design Options – see Price list for details

The interior decor is kept bright to increase the feeling of light and space. The interior design can be customised to the customer’s specifications.

For interior lighting, we use compact fluorescent lights, as well as low energy lighting under cupboard and units.

All of our EcoPod range can be customised to suit the client’s particular requirements. The only limitation is one’s imagination; we would be pleased to discuss ideas and requirements with you. For example: Sound proof recording or photographic studio, single level living area, etc.

Kitchen
We offer a fully fitted kitchen option, in which units can have matching curved birch fronts, giving a light, modern and airy feel to the dwelling. The worksurface can be cast in concrete to give a contemporary feel to this area.

Other features include 5 waste recycling chutes, which feed directly to the receptacles in the service duct below, an integrated chopping board and the installation of shelving, wine rack and extraction unit. Home appliances and fixtures are chosen for energy efficiency as often as possible. We can supply high efficiency appliances, including convection / microwave oven and the most efficient half size refrigerator / freezer.

Living Space
This can incorporate bespoke furnishing including desk space, dining area and book shelves. A wood burning stove is usually installed in this area. We also offer a wall mounted plasma screen television and co-ordinating storage unit

Bathroom
We have an optional bathroom cubicle which is constructed from GRP (glass re-enforced plastic) and is designed to offer a compact and hygienic space. A shower is fitted into the 4m and 6m EcoPods, and the 8m Pod can accommodate a bath if required. Our water efficiency measures include low-flow aerated showerheads along with a twin action low flush toilet.

Bedroom
There is the option of having interior bespoke furniture, which outfits the circular interior.
Bedroom sizes can be customised and built to order.

External
Rainwater harvesting is another extra with a filtration system so the rainwater can be utilised for washing, toilets and irrigation.


Planning Permission
The single level pods (i.e. 3, 4, 5, and 6m top sections only) generally will not require planning permission.

However planning is not always straight forward and can vary from site to site. A lot will depend on the purpose of the build and the particular planning jurisdiction you are dealing with. Our advice is to discuss your installation with your relevant planning officer where you will be advised as to what is, if anything required.

Request an agreement in principle before applying for planning.