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Years ago, when Jeffrey Wilson was just getting started in the prefab industry, he set his sights on glamping—you know, camping, but for people who don’t want to get dirty. But he soon ran into issues that only come with experience, like how much time it takes to get a permit and what constitutes a necessity in such a small space. With lessons learned—some gleaned from living in a dumpster for a year—Wilson launched Jupe in 2020.

“I wanted to design a prefab unit that was much more rapidly deployable, had far fewer codes to comply with, and was much less expensive,” he says. “I also wanted to make the process of setting it up much faster.”

In the beginning, Jupe was still catering to those who wanted to escape into the wilderness with style: It has 11-foot ceilings and a spaceship-like frame that was designed by Tesla and SpaceX engineers, with a queen-sized mattress and Douglas fir details exuding comfort. But lately, that goal has changed, too.

“We are now hard pivoting into the ‘displaced persons’ market,” Wilson says, joining a number of designers rethinking temporary living. He spoke to Dwell from Maui, where Jupe hopes it can provide aid in the form or housing to those affected by August’s devastating wildfires. Below, Wilson discusses the reasons behind the plan, and what makes this prefab model worthy of the cause.

What’s the most exciting project you’ve realized to date?

We specifically designed the Jupe so that it’s under 120 square feet, which is often considered a shed. It is semi-permanent and does not require a slab or grid connections, so it has the ability to move without a trace. In the past, we’ve worked with folks who wanted to add quick accommodations to their land, but now we’re creating a client base that’s primarily focused on housing people who have been displaced by climate disasters.

Currently, 12 Jupe units can fit on one standard 40-foot flatbed trailer. Soon, we hope to be able to fit 24 units. This would make it easier to get shelter to people in need faster.

What does your base model cost and what does that pricing include?

The base model costs between $20,000 and $30,000. The shelter features an 11-foot ceiling, off-grid power, air conditioning, and dimmable LED track lighting alongside USB charging stations near the bed. The exterior is weather-resistant canvas, while the interior is made from Douglas fir.

You can add a solar package and a front porch—which can also come with its own lighting—which will measure 8-by-13 feet. A queen-sized mattress, frame, and headboard are also part of delivery, and everything is assembled in hours.

What qualities make your prefab stand apart from the rest?

I think what makes our prefab stand apart from the rest is its scalability. Right now we can make a Jupe in four hours, and we plan on being able to assemble one in just four minutes. Another detail that makes Jupe distinctive is its shipping efficiency. Our flat-pack model makes it possible to ship numerous Jupes at once, and we’re in the process of developing a fleet model that can be deployed on shipping containers throughout the world.

Where is the prefab currently available?

We are currently available in North America.

Is your design currently pre-permitted in any U.S. municipalities?

Because of the way the Jupe is designed, we often don't need permits—even in very strictly regulated places like Northern California.

Are there plans to expand to different parts of the country and the world?

We’ve shipped to about 20 different sites in the United States, and we have plans to expand worldwide. By this time next year, we want to be available on three continents, besides North America.

How long can a client expect the process to take after they put down a deposit?

We can have a Jupe up and running within two weeks of when a client puts down a deposit.

What aspects of an install do you manage?

We manage all aspects of the install, and a crew is sent to the site to set up everything. There’s almost no site prep, unless there’s a significant slope. A Jupe can be up and running within hours.

What aspects of the design can a client customize?

You can customize the color of the canvas, as well as details like HVAC options and whether you’d like the Jupe to be entirely off the grid.

More from Jupe:

Prefab Startup Jupe Unveils a $17.5K Flat-Pack Shelter Inspired by “2001: A Space Odyssey”

This $5K Porta Potty Promises to Elevate the On-the-Go Bathroom Experience

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