Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

This Tiny, Icelandic-Inspired Prefab Could Ease the Housing Shortage in Los Angeles

This Tiny, Icelandic-Inspired Prefab Could Ease the Housing Shortage in Los Angeles

Design studio Minarc launches Plús Hús, a tiny affordable prefab home starting at $37,000 that offers an affordable, environmentally conscious housing solution in L.A. and beyond.

Although California is currently gripped in an unprecedented housing crisis, some relief may come soon thanks to a recently passed housing law that’s reduced restrictions on accessory dwelling units (ADUs), making it easier for homeowners to add second dwellings to their property.

In anticipation of the regulatory reform, Santa Monica-based Minarc has developed Plús Hús, a beautiful and energy-efficient, 320-square-foot prefab that starts at $37,000.



"We created Plús Hús because of the need for low-income homes and ADUs," say Minarc founders Tryggvi Thorsteinsson and Erla Dögg Ingjaldsdóttir, who add that although their focus is on the greater Los Angeles area, they’ve received inquiries from across the nation. "We wanted to create a simple structure that would fit the properties in the city."



The Icelandic husband-and-wife duo behind Minarc began working on Plús Hús last year but were well equipped for the challenge long before ADU restrictions were reduced.

In fact, the design studio opened a fabrication facility in downtown Los Angeles back in 2013. There, Minarc produces its award-winning and patented mnmMOD panels, which are used in the modular structure assembly.

Made with 30 percent recycled materials, the Cradle to Cradle Certified, steel-frame panels are recyclable, fire- and termite-proof, boast high R-values, and can dramatically reduce a home’s carbon footprint.



"The mnmMOD panel system is versatile, recyclable, and extremely energy efficient, and being from Iceland, we pay very close attention to the relationships between nature, ourselves, and what we create," say Ingjaldsdóttir.

"We are constantly looking for ways to do better, and using mnmMOD to create Plús Hús-a simple, efficient, multipurpose structure that capitalizes on these recent law changes while minimizing wasted energy and environmental impact—makes perfect sense."



Designed to be set on slab or pile foundation, the Icelandic-inspired dwelling features a minimalist and modern design flexible for multipurpose use, whether it be a guesthouse and Airbnb rental or as a home office and studio.

The 16-foot by 20-foot Plús Hús is available in three models: the Plús Hús Open, with three walls and a sliding glass door; the Plús Hús Open+ that includes a bathroom; and the Plús Hús Full, which includes a bathroom and kitchen. The units are also customizable and offer a variety of finishing materials to choose from.



Pricing starts at $37,000 for the Plús Hús Open and goes up to $49,000 for the Plús Hús Full, not including site prep, permitting, delivery, or assembly. When units are ready to be assembled, buyers can either use a contractor or hire Plús Hús for the entire installation process.



"I think it’s a great solution for housing needs, especially in California," says Ingjaldsdóttir. "It’s a great investment because of the need for rentals and its ability to create high rental income. Plús Hús is competing with many tiny house companies, but we have a better building thanks to our energy-efficient and mnmMOD panelized system. That’s our niche. Our buildings are built to last and won’t have any problems down the road because of mold or termites."



Interested buyers can tour a fully built Plús Hús at the showroom in the mnmMOD factory in downtown Los Angeles. However, although the company delivers anywhere in the USA, their services outside of delivery are presently limited to the greater Los Angeles area.


Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Syria to Reconnect to Global Economy After 14 Years of Isolation
Saudi Arabia Faces Uncertainty Over Succession After Mohammed bin Salman
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Majority of French Voters View Macron's Presidency as a Failure
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
Iran Warns Europe Against Politicizing UN Nuclear Report
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
Head of Gaza Aid Group Resigns Amid Humanitarian Concerns
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
×