OUR CONCEPT
Design and its means of production have always been a passion of Echo’s founder, Sam Booth, and his ability as a maker has allowed him to prototype and have control over the production of his designs. His 1999 Oritetsu collection of folded metal furniture (below) saw each piece created from a single perforated steel sheet, and Sam developed a similarly efficient and innovative process for creating buildings. The original prototype for a prefabricated, modular building was Brockloch Bothy, Our system was refined to use high quality cross laminated timber, with each element nested, cut out and joined to create a super strong internal structure with minimal waste and maximum efficiency.
Echo was launched back in 2013 with the aim of promoting elegance and efficiency in sustainable small scale living. Some have been designed as permanent dwellings, accommodating their owners' sustainable lifestyles over the years. Many are advertised on niche rental platforms, and over the years literally thousands of visitors have been able to experience our beautifully designed, off grid, small spaces first hand.
Each bespoke build is built with the minimum of waste, making both ecological and economic sense.
BUILD SMALL BUILD SMART BUILD BEAUTIFUL
We use high performance, sustainable materials, both inside and out, and select products and materials which are not only manufactured sustainably, but which are also designed to support the micro environment of the building. Efficient and durable, the materials are chosen for their sustainable credentials, and fully integrated, off grid solutions further enhance the buildings' sustainability.
OUR DESIGN CRITERIA
Echo’s small, site specific buildings include split level cabins, treehouses and roundhouses, all designed to be prefabricated at our workshop and delivered to site, with all fixtures and fittings in place. They are cleverly designed to meet, and exceed, the design criteria for BS 3632:2023 - the legal definition of a residential mobile home. This designation allows us to create imaginative small spaces and sustainable structures that touch the ground lightly. Most are off grid and solar powered, and of course each one is small - from a one bedroom self contained cabin with an internal floor area of around 30-40m2 to a 55m2 two bedroom, split level house; each one a distinctive and beautiful small building.
BUILDING SUSTAINABLY
Steel lifting points built into the Echo Tree Hoose cabin's structure
Curved timber roof under construction.
Tree Hoose timber roof under construction at Echo workshop
Steel lifting points built into the Echo Tree Hoose cabin's structure
Our cabins and small buildings are all built to order. Each one is entirely designed and built in-house at our workshops, allowing us to keep control of the complete process from design to installation. Our team of skilled and experienced crafts persons pay close attention to the quality of every detail of the construction, and the detail in the fixtures and finishes. Building off-site at our workshop is efficient and free from weather holdups. It saves on costly site time and keeps environmental disruption on site to a minimum. Each small build can be completed in 8-12 weeks, depending on size and complexity.
Once the design has been finalised, and a set of production drawings issued, the floor cassettes, wall sections, ring beams, joists and roof sections are cut out and assembled to create the inner structure, which is then 'wrapped' in thick layers of natural insulation, sheathing board, and exterior membrane. Windows and doors are fitted and we fabricate and fix integrated lifting points for delivery. We build everything from steel substructures for floating decks and elevated platforms to the bespoke fixtures and furniture inside. We accommodate a wide range of finishes to meet individual specifications. Once completed, the building is transported in sections by road, sea, or air to its new site.
DELIVERING
We work with hauliers and contractors to ensure each prefabricated building is delivered efficiently and safely to site, where final installation is undertaken by our team. The building sections are delivered with all fixtures and finishes, and assembled ready for final connections to all supplies and services as required.
From the building design and planning applications to the build and every detail of the interior design, and from the groundworks to the final installation on site, Echo will manage all aspects of the design and build process in order to deliver each project successfully for our clients.
Roundhouse Cabin section being craned into position on a woodland site
Lifting section of Loch Awe Eco Cabin onto its substructure
Checking load for onward delivery to site on Crete
Roundhouse Cabin section being craned into position on a woodland site