Housing Unit Prototype
Prototype accommodation unit for hikers on the Via Transilvanica trail, fully manufactured in the workshop as two prefabricated modules.
The first prototype of the Via Transilvanica accommodation module marks the beginning of a new rural hospitality infrastructure dedicated to hikers travelling along “The Path that Unites.” The project was delivered in 2025 for the Tășuleasa Social Association, based on the architectural concept by Arch. Dorin Ștefan, and represents the first fully integrated Design & Build project developed by Inginerie Creativă. It also served as the foundation for a standardized construction system designed to be replicated along the entire Via Transilvanica route.
The prototype was fully prefabricated from the ground up in the Inginerie Creativă workshop in Brașov and assembled in front of the company’s headquarters, where it functioned both as a technical validation unit and as a demonstrative model for the development of the future network of accommodation modules along the trail.
The structure is built using a timber-frame system combined with glued laminated timber elements and is designed for rapid transport and on-site assembly. Unlike later versions, this prototype was prefabricated to approximately 80%, with wall panels, roof structure, and roof layers manufactured in the workshop to a near-finished level, while final assembly was completed on site. This prototyping phase enabled the testing of construction solutions, validation of assembly sequences, and optimization of the production process, significantly reducing execution time for subsequent units.
The interior is designed to accommodate up to seven people, integrating sleeping areas, a sanitary unit, and technical spaces within a compact volume. The functional layout prioritizes efficient use of every square meter, delivering comfort and practicality within a minimal footprint. The sanitary module features stainless steel finishes in the shower area, a solution that protects the timber structure from water infiltration and simplifies maintenance during operation.
The experience gained through this prototype led to further optimization of the construction system, an increased level of prefabrication, and the development of improved assembly details, including the connection system between the superstructure and steel screw foundations, capable of accommodating tolerances resulting from on-site installation. The solutions validated in this project were later implemented in the second prototype—the first accommodation module installed along the Via Transilvanica trail in Șapartoc, Mureș County—confirming the essential role of Prototype V1 in the development of a mature, efficient, and repeatable construction system.
Credits & Technical Information:
Client: Tășuleasa Social Association
Location: Brașov, Romania – demonstrative assembly at Inginerie Creativă headquarters (2025); relocated to Florești village, Sibiu County (2026)
Period: 2025 – design, prefabrication, and demonstrative assembly; 2026 – relocation and final installation
Function: Accommodation module for hikers on the Via Transilvanica trail
Capacity: 7 people
Built area: ~25.8 sqm
Usable area: ~33 sqm
Structure: timber-frame + glued laminated timber
Construction system: modular, transportable, and relocatable
Foundations: steel screw piles
Prefabrication level: ~80%
Architecture: Arch. Dorin Ștefan
Design & execution: Inginerie Creativă
