Client Request:
One of the largest recreational parks in Europe, a regular client, approached us with a request to develop a house similar to one provided by our colleagues, but with improved build quality while maintaining the design.
Colleagues' Mistakes:
While the product had strong marketing, the build quality was poor. Six months after installation, the house developed a leaky roof and damp walls. Our colleagues reluctantly and with great difficulty fulfilled their warranty obligations.
We had two choices: refuse the project, stating that we do not deal in replicas, or accept it since the product lacked innovation and was merely Scandinavian minimalism. We chose the latter.
Tasks:
- Replicate the floor plan.
- Enhance eco-friendliness: Substitute XPS with wood fibre insulation.
- Introduce our own design elements: We prefer not to simply copy.
Features:
The production of this replica took 1.5 times longer than our standard house due to our commitment to maintaining a 25% customisation in the project. Developing this house took one month, and production took five months. The final selling price matched that of our competitors. We changed the window shapes, adjusted proportions, optimized cut-offs, and took a different approach to the furniture design. This was also crucial from a legal perspective to mitigate the risk of intellectual property disputes with our colleagues.
House Features:
- Large bedroom
- Small bedroom with a bunk bed
- Spacious kitchen area
The house is set up for short-term rentals on the North Sea coast. The large kitchen offers refuge during strong winds and rain, although guests typically spend time outdoors or at nearby yacht marina restaurants. The only reason for installing a full kitchen with a dishwasher and oven is that the park also offers the option to purchase the house you stayed in.
One of the technical features we used are radio switches. We provided several switches connected to the lights and allowed clients to choose where to place them based on ergonomic considerations, as the locals are tall and slim. They might find it more comfortable to have switches placed slightly further and higher than usual in Baltic countries.
Result:
We delivered a warm, eco-friendly house with golden parquet floors, solid wood walls coated in eco-varnish, and wood fibre insulation. The facade features larch wood, and the wooden windows have an aluminium protective profile to withstand strong winds and harsh external conditions.
Conclusions:
Regrettably, this product went into mass production only a couple years later.
We realised that our focus on energy efficiency was misplaced for the tourism sector, as insulation was way above the required. However, this allowed us to refine the project. We now offer it not only for tourism but also to private individuals looking for a country house in areas where municipalities do not impose stringent A energy efficiency requirements.
To date, this house remains my favourite in terms of aesthetics, complexity, and value for money. The design allows for easy changes to the floor plan, making the house shorter and more efficient for tourism or longer for permanent living.