Residential container Kebin

KEBIN is a mobile living container. Its strengths are high comfort and a sense of design, which is not what most people typically associate with containers. The container is designed for maximum comfort, blending with the surroundings, and practical use. Its external footprint dimensions are 2.6 x 7 m, and its height is 2.78 m. These dimensions are set by road regulations to facilitate transport.
The centerpiece of KEBIN is the glazed areas, which are meant to give visitors a feeling of connection with the surrounding nature. Two side windows are fully retractable, allowing transition to terraces. On the front side, the container is equipped with a panoramic window that provides an unmistakable view right from the bed. From the outside, KEBIN is recognizable by its dark-stained larch cladding, which blends with nature due to its dark shade. In contrast, the interior is dominated by birch plywood, which creates an interesting contrast with the exterior and visually enlarges the overall space due to its light, uniform material. Included in KEBIN is also a Finnish sauna, which can be used even in winter, and a rotating fireplace that serves as the focal point of the space.
Since this is a mobile home, the goal was to build everything on an off-grid system, meaning independent of utilities. Electricity is generated using photovoltaic panels and is subsequently stored in batteries. Water must be available on-site, so it's ideal to place the container on a plot with a well. The toilet is designed to be dry.
Other specifics of the structure entail that in order to fully utilize it, you need a manual. Opening the windows, flipping the small terrace, opening the awning, or the timeless closing of the bathroom and toilet doors – the tenant must learn to operate the container to take advantage of its full potential, essentially creating a playful living experience. The aim was maximum integration with nature through large glazed areas. The Czech people are not yet very used to this openness, as they prefer to close themselves off, but in the world, it is quite common to have such open spaces. For instance, it is standard in Nordic countries to have living spaces completely open to the street.
The first idea for this project came about in March 2018, when there were still not many living containers and glampings. The authors liked the idea of having a certain space that would offer the occupant not only shelter but also comfort, while being placed in nature and other locations where standard construction could not be. Mobile homes are not subject to standard building permits; usually, only a zoning agreement is required. The possibility of mobility thus allows placement in unconventional environments, such as nature, where one can disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the modern world. And since the container can be placed practically anywhere, fulfilling ideas of relaxation was not difficult. However, despite the advantages of mobility, there are certain rules, namely that it is not possible to place the container directly in a forest. It still must be located on a buildable plot.
And how did the name of the project come about? By combining several word plays. KEBIN is a phonetic transcription of the English word cabin, which means "chalet" in Czech. And since this combination is already in the names of several companies, it was necessary to differentiate. Thanks to the slight phonetic transcription, the name of the project is closer to the clientele, and at the same time, it could incorporate the architect's nickname from his youth. His friends rearranged the letters in his surname and called him "Keb." The combination of these elements thus helped ensure that the project maximally reflects the author's imprint that he put into the project. Architect Jan Bek is a great enthusiast of Czech design, and the KEBIN project was created in collaboration with Stanislav Líkař. They are considering developing the KEBIN 2.0 project in the future.