SHEBANOFF-GRID LIVING IN THE WOODS

SHEBAN HOMES / VERSION 2

One core.
Four rooms.
The woods, all around.

Expanded cream-roof pavilion with filled front corner bays
Sheban Homes · Version 2 appearance study. This rendering reads as an octagonal pavilion; the four-wing cross plan governs.

An unfolding pavilion with warm timber underfoot, transparent walls and a light roof that opens towards the trees. Small and enclosed between visits. Open and connected to the landscape when you arrive.

Explore the ten pavilion views ↓

Go directly to the patio and flat-pack images ↗

A separate concept developed from your supplied specification sheet. The earlier Compact and Family studies remain available in the original collection.

THE STARTING POINT

The whole idea, together.

Supplied expandable cabin specification sheet: four-wing pavilion, deployment sequence, floor plan, drainage, wall, floor and rib details
Your supplied sheet · Open original image in a new tab ↗. Its exterior rendering also reads as a many-sided pavilion, while its floor plan is a four-wing cross; this unresolved contrast carries into several generated views. Small text is limited by the source resolution; enlarged concept illustrations interpret the design rather than recover missing detail.

The defining features are the cross-shaped floor, four hinged extensions, accordion-style ribs, outward-draining membrane roof and transparent window walls. This is a new architecture and mechanism study, with its own dimensions.

THE VERSION 2 SYSTEM

Fold the floor.
Raise the ribs.
Open the view.

Four supported platforms

Hinged floor panels lower around the centre. Perimeter supports carry the deployed floors; their loads and positions need development.

A roof that drains outward

The source shows a central high point and four-way slopes towards the outside edges, with gutters or drip edges at the perimeter.

Walls that let the woods in

Dark frames hold fabric wall panels and transparent TPU windows, with zipper or track connections and an optional insulation layer.

SOURCE DIMENSIONS / TO RECONCILE

Keep the geometry honest.

Values printed on the supplied sheet
ItemSource value
Compact transport box3.0 × 2.4 × 2.6 m
Each extensionAbout 2.4 × 2.4 m
Expanded overall extentAbout 7.2 × 7.2 m
Stated expanded floor areaAbout 33–35 m² (sheet approximation: 350–380 sq. ft.)

A square 2.4 m core plus four 2.4 m square wings gives 28.8 m² (about 310 sq. ft.). Using a 3.0 × 2.4 m core with those wings gives 30.24 m² (about 326 sq. ft.) and a different overall extent. The sheet’s 33–35 m² area is a target to reconcile, not a confirmed floor plan.

LOOK CLOSER / THE LAYERS

Every surface has a job.

The roof

A waterproof outer membrane spans the aluminium ribs. The source suggests an approximately 8–12° four-way slope, carrying rain from the high centre towards a gutter or drip edge. The foldable connection at the core remains a detail to develop.

The walls

An outer waterproof fabric, optional insulation and inner fabric liner sit alongside transparent TPU window panels. Zipper or track connections are the source’s proposed way to connect and replace sections.

The floor

Five layers are shown: SPC or wood-look finish, structural board, PIR or XPS insulation, an aluminium frame and a protective bottom panel. Thicknesses, hinge connections and support spacing remain to be sized.

Three membrane directions from the attachment
Source optionWhat to develop with a supplier
PVC-coated polyester fabricWeight, seam method, folding behaviour and replacement panels.
PVDF fabric optionActual coating and substrate specification, durability and cost comparison.
PTFE fabric optionCompatible substrate, repeated-fold suitability, cleaning performance and price.

These are material options pictured on the sheet, not a selected specification. No insulation thickness or performance certification is supplied.

OPENING AND CLOSING

A sequence we can prototype.

  1. Position and level. Establish the core and a clear space for all four arms.
  2. Support and lower the floors. Bring each hinged platform onto its perimeter supports.
  3. Extend and lock the ribs. Raise the articulated frames and establish the roof high point.
  4. Tension the enclosure. Connect the roof, wall tracks and windows; direct runoff away from entry.
  5. Arrange the interior. Bring the lightweight furniture and service modules into use.

To close: stow furniture and isolate services → clean and dry the enclosure, or remove wet panels for separate drying → release tension → unlock and fold the ribs → fold supported floors into the core → secure the outer panels. Storage volume and the exact order must be proven in a full-size wing test.

ANOTHER VERSION / SHEBAN 2B

Four rooms inside.
Four patios in the trees.

Keep the enclosed pavilion, then extend a canopy another five feet beyond each of its four wings. Each outdoor wing sits over natural ground, with open sides or optional mesh curtains. A sheltered place for coffee, muddy boots or a chair looking into the woods.

Dimensioned working plan of four five-foot natural-ground patios beyond the enclosed cross-shaped cabin
Dimensioned concept diagram, not a generated rendering. The four patios add approximately 157 sq. ft. of covered outdoor ground; enclosed floor area stays unchanged. This diagram governs the intended patio geometry and supersedes images 11 and 15.

Using the sheet’s 7.2 m square overall layout, the canopy tips span about 10.25 × 10.25 m (33′7½″ × 33′7½″). Allow additional space for anchors, drainage and access. Small steps connect the raised cabin floors to the ground-level patios. Outer poles and anchors support each removable canopy.

Flat-pack it for the trail.

A demountable version separates the core, floor panels, ribs and equipment into labelled packages. Take suitable loads along an assessed quad trail with a side-by-side and small trailer, then assemble the cabin at the clearing. This is initial assembly from parts; the cabin’s later fold-up storage is a separate operation.

Per-package design targets only: no component masses have been measured. These are neither whole-cabin weights nor safe manual lifting limits.

Target: under 150 lb

The preferred maximum per package, with much lighter pieces wherever practical. Split floor tiles, frame members, wall cassettes and fabric bags.

Exception target: under 200 lb

An exception target for modules that cannot reasonably split further. Plan the actual lifting and handling method around the part.

Handled-module target: up to 300 lb

A trailer-handled option using appropriate ramps, winch or other equipment. This is not a hand-carry target or the whole cabin’s weight.

All weights are design targets, not measured specifications or safe manual lifting limits. Trailer loads and trip count will follow a weighed parts list and the selected vehicle, trailer and route ratings. We’ll develop narrow panels, removable utility modules and separate dry bags for the roof and windows.

From trailer loads to a place to stay.

  1. Assess the trail and clearing; choose the rated vehicle and trailer.
  2. Weigh, label and restrain the component loads; shuttle them to site.
  3. Assemble and level the core base, then connect wall and floor sections.
  4. Raise the four wing frames and fit roof, windows and wall fabric.
  5. Add the four ground-level patio canopies, then utilities and furniture.
Download the flat-pack and patio study ↓

FROM PICTURE TO PRODUCT

Start with one working wing.

First reconcile the footprint. Then build a scale folding model and one full-size wing with real floor layers, ribs, fabric and supports. That prototype will establish the clearances, folding order, drainage and storage space needed before a complete cabin demonstrator.

Promising refinements include guided fabric sleeves, visible rib-lock indicators, individually replaceable window panels and removable seasonal liners. These additions develop the source concept while keeping its four-room pavilion character.

Download the Version 2 study ↓

Concept development. Dimensions, capacity, utilities, cost and seasonal performance require their own Version 2 specification. Earlier cabin prices and ratings do not automatically apply.