The pair began designing Bento cabins in early 2023. “The collaboration between my brother and I happened from our love of design and really comparable style and values on what creates a sustainable dwelling,” says Gosia, who’s behind the sustainable style model Kowtow, which she based in 2006. Her brother Tomek, an architectural designer and maker based mostly within the Bay of Loads, developed the idea after each recognised a spot within the New Zealand market.
“We each felt different choices on the New Zealand market have been of a low value construct and compromised on sustainability and high quality.” After conducting market analysis and a price evaluation, they felt the numbers stacked up and began to check the assorted methods individuals might utilise the cabins: “We’re excited concerning the prospect of individuals organising companies with the cabins, shopping for a number of dwellings and organising a hospitality enterprise.”
Cabins begins with a 6.6 x 3.8m 18.38m2 base construction, with three core modules (Toilet, Kitchen and Studio Mattress) out there as additions that may be configured utilizing an internet configuration software that demonstrates the assorted ground plans out there.
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Prefabricated of their fully-enclosed Mount Maunganui premises, Bento cabins and modules meet Passivhaus requirements, additionally prioritising conservation of water, and eliminating the usage of fossil fuels — a aware transfer from the designers — with sustainability being a “core focus” from day one, says the pair. Moreover, the designers have opted for premium Purple-Record Free supplies to make sure cabins are free from dangerous chemical compounds and are environmentally-sustainable.
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The prefabricated nature of Bento cabins allows fast, simple set up. The pair factors out, that the cabins are delivered preassembled as full models and are arrange on-site with minimal disruption, making them a perfect answer for places with restricted entry. Every cabin is supported by a concrete-free, ground-screw basis system, which is low-impact and simply detachable.
“Every of our cabins is crafted with sustainability in thoughts,” says Tomek, “and they’re constructed with Formance SIP panels, which offer superior thermal efficiency and considerably scale back operational carbon emissions.” The cabins additionally function low-emission, formaldehyde-free Pureply maple wall linings and joinery, engineered-timber oak flooring, Topcer Portuguese porcelain tiles, and a waterless composting rest room, which conserves hundreds of litres of water yearly. “With zero reliance on fossil fuels and prepped for solar energy integration, we’ve designed these cabins for a true-off grid fashionable dwelling setting”.
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Turnaround from session to set up takes roughly 14 weeks, with the method mapped out week-by-week on the Order Course of web page of the Bento web site. A Bento base cabin begins at $99,000 and relying on the addition of non-obligatory modules — Toilet ($30,000), Kitchen ($15,000) and studio mattress ($10,000) — the fee for a single cabin can attain $154,000. As an added function, a Revenue Calculator permits one to calculate the estimated value and return on funding.
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The Revenue Calculator and modular design of the cabins acknowleges a wide range of functions and makes use of, with the pair declaring they’re catering to a variety of individuals — from somebody trying to create a retreat in nature to somone trying to increase on their present dwelling house. “Providing three modules and a wide range of layouts and elements, the customer is ready to choose a module that fits their wants and price range,” says Gosia. “The cabins’ flexibility makes them appropriate for varied makes use of, together with yard extensions, vacation leases and private retreats.”
Tomek, an structure graduate and self-proclaimed ‘minimalist’, says his focus is on designs that simplify life and scale back environmental impression, whereas Gosia, because the founding father of Fairtrade organic-cotton model Kowtow, brings her ardour for sustainable supplies and moral manufacturing to the mission.
Collectively, the pair is dedicated to selling a life-style that’s light on the planet whereas offering high-quality, snug dwelling areas.
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Study extra on the Bento web site.
