No offence but when you refer to Australia’s Gold Coast, innovative sustainable architecture and interior design are not the first things that spring into my mind. The first Gold Coast Happy Haus must have been talk of the town since its arrival on the back of a truck before Christmas. In February, the owner was feeding public curiosity by opening the doors to the architect-designed pre-fabricated house, just for one day on Currumbin beach. Step inside and have a look!

Factory built homes could be the future, reducing time, cost and is an eco-friendly option. Locally designed and constructed, houses are built in controlled factory conditions containing pollutants to one area and reducing environment disruption onsite. The pre-made double-storey home on Currumbin beach is a traffic stopper with unique design by Brisbane architect Owen and Vokes. It took less than three months for the builders to erect the 320sqm house, delivered on trucks in seven modules and craned into position. It’s fantastic how the modular adaptable planning preserves surrounding trees and vegetation.

The house has four bedrooms including master bedroom with ensuite and a walk-in wardrobe, expansive living and dining area and a large deck and pool with entertainment deck. Large cutaway windows capture ocean views and sea breezes allowing lots of natural light in. Combined with the narrow plan which enables passive cooling or heating, this is energy-saving with less need for artificial lightning and air-conditioning. Engineered hardwood timber floor are made from sustainable resources. The open floor plans provides more space, using less walls and materials.

The buildings are re-locatable, eliminating the need for demolition or can be on-sold as second-hand products. The eco-friendly roof design enables rainwater harvesting and is responsive to solar power. For especially the harsh Australian climate, the designs can also be modified and built to highest bushfire ratings.

Trust we will see more of these houses popping up in the area as over 40 per cent of Queensland enquiry is said to come from the Gold Coast, including Currumbin Eco-village. Now, I only wish to find a nice little spot in Sydney for my very own Happy Haus and bring it with whenever re-locating again – wonder if they could help me scout a location?

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