For the island lover looking for a modular home that is not only easy to transport and install, but looks straight out of an magazine, the Australian-based company Prebuilt has created a number of simple, striking homes. Proving that utility and beauty aren’t mutually exclusive concepts, the Mod House is a stunning design that combines Modernist and Japanese aesthetics with 21^st century building technology. Ranging from a simple one-bedroom to a five-bedroom complex, the Mod House comes with a large deck, designer fixtures, and features a spacious, light-filled layout.

http://www.prebuilt.com.au/index.php?action=productcatalogue&prodcat_id=806&prod_id=5369&pageID=6504&sectionID=6485

The epic tale of the marooned Swiss Family Robinson popularized the idea of tropical island tree houses as the ultimate in natural vacations- just imagine gazing out over the ocean from within the branches of an exotic palm or cyprus. In fact, many resorts across the globe now offer a tree house experience as an unforgettable way of getting in touch with your lush forest surroundings. Unfortunately, few companies supply tree houses suitable for adults, but there is a handy online guide for crafty island owners who want to create their own.

 Downloadable for a small fee, Tree House Guides offers a number of different designs of tree houses, which can sleep 2 adults or 3 children. Also available are plans for simple tree decks and bird watching platforms. The San Pedro tree house is a classic and easily built style that most resembles the tree forts you may remember from childhood, while the Kauri is a slightly more sophisticated design that even has a porch and railing. All of the materials needed are easily acquired at a typical hardware store, and the recommended tree diameters range from about 1′ to 2′.  The designs are simple and the plans highly detailed, and the company also offers email assistance in case of construction difficulties. 

http://www.treehouseguides.com/

So you’ve found that beautiful island, a few pristinely virginal acres of island paradise in an overlooked quadrant of the Pacific. Let’s say it’s undeveloped; the price has been paid and any possible logistical headache is behind you. All that remains is to hoist anchor, set your course for the horizon and settle into a life off the grid, past the edge of the world. It’s just that easy, right?

Well, yes and no. You still need to get there and keep yourself sheltered while building is underway.

Considering that your island is undeveloped, you’ve probably squared away everything you’ll need to get set up. Construction materials and irrigation are ready and your modular home is likely a few weeks away in its development. So, in the meantime, what’s an affordable, convenient way to keep yourself and your materials housed until your Xanadu is complete? Read more »

For the environmentally conscious island owner bored with traditional house or cabin designs, look no further than Free Spirit Spheres, an innovative, eco-friendly new concept in modular housing.

Conceived and developed in Qualicum, British Columbia, a region rich with coniferous rainforest, Free Spirit Spheres are the ultimate concept in low-impact development. These designs literally hang from trees, solidly suspended by rope webbing tied to four main anchor points at the top and bottom of the sphere. Using the forest as its foundation, the design is strong enough to sustain the weight of the sphere, its occupants and its contents as high as 120 feet above the ground. While only 500 kilograms in weight, the spheres themselves are spacious and well-appointed, comfortably insulated to temperatures as low as -20 celsius. Read more »

For some island owners the idea of building a large island home is not appealing. As a result some island owners, particularly in northern island regions opt to construct modular cabins on their island. Modular cabins range from the basic to the luxurious and their rustic designs allow them to integrate seamlessly into wooded islands. Here are some finished cabins offered by Spirit Homes located in Boulder Colorado

The Ponderosa:

Starting at 91,845 the Ponderosa is a spacious and comfortable modular cabin. Its design offers a warm and comfortable atmosphere and it designed for simplicity in both on site set up and finish. Features included in the home include hardwood cabinets, double-pane windows, countertops, sinks, toilets, water heater and bath tub.

The Eldora:

The Eldora is defined by its insetfrom porch that offers panoramic views of your island. The ranch-style home has an open dining and kitchen which can be accented with standard or premium interior finishes. The homes engineered roof is raised into place after the home is set on the foundation and the upper level requires onsite finish. Standard features include lodgepole pine log siding, pine hardwood doors from Finland and architectural shingles. Prices for the Eldora start at $169,845.

Read more »