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IMBY Kit
Adaptable spaces for everyone
Residential
The IMBY™ Kit, short for “In My Back Yard,” encapsulates the simplicity of traditional woodworking techniques with the efficiency of modern digital fabrication. We wanted to address the need for a sustainable, modular building system that could be quickly assembled on-site by unskilled individuals using only basic tools. The kit was designed to be environmentally conscious, minimizing impact on existing flora and fauna, and capable of being fabricated from renewable materials with minimal waste. Flexibility is at the core of IMBY™, allowing occupants to disassemble, reconfigure, add to, or subtract from the structure as needed. Our overarching goal was to embed high-quality architectural thinking into a kit that, through economies of scale and automated fabrication techniques, makes good design accessible to a broader audience.
One of our key challenges in developing the IMBY™ Kit was integrating architectural principles—such as maximizing natural light, ensuring cross-ventilation, sensitivity to the landscape, and creating meaningful sightlines—into a system that adheres to Exempt Development requirements for streamlined approvals. The design also had to be dissected into components that could be efficiently and sustainably fabricated in a factory setting, while remaining affordable.
The solution lies in the IMBY™ Kit’s modular structural frame, which is extendable and made up of interlocking mortise and tenon joints. These joints are central to the assembly process, making it intuitive for people without construction training to build their own spaces. The aesthetic of the IMBY™ Kit is defined by the raw expression of its materials and construction techniques, with the structural joints not only serving a functional role but also contributing to the kit’s distinctive appearance.
By fabricating building parts offsite in a controlled factory environment, the IMBY™ Kit achieves a higher level of efficiency and accuracy compared to traditional on-site construction. This approach reduces material waste and costs, benefiting both the environment and the end-user. The use of “nesting” techniques, where multiple parts are cut from a single sheet of sustainably grown plantation pine plywood, ensures maximum material utilization.
At the heart of the IMBY™ Kit is a structural module, or “bay,” constructed from FSC Certified plantation pine plywood. These bays can be added or subtracted to adjust the spatial layout or combined with additional IMBY™ units to create larger spaces or courtyard-style pavilions. The kit’s screw pile foundations provide an affordable and low-impact footing system, making the installation, relocation, and reconfiguration of the IMBY™ simple and efficient.
Overall, the IMBY™ Kit highlights the potential of combining computer-aided design and fabrication with thoughtful architectural planning to resolve complex design challenges using a single material. We hope that this model demonstrates that sustainable, high-quality architecture can be made accessible and adaptable, and that it will inspire people to do more with less, making the most of limited and challenging spaces while respecting and complementing the surrounding environment.
IMBY™ Kits have been constructed for clients in Katoomba, Neutral Bay, and our own studio in Manyana on the South Coast. We are now working with IMBY Kit Pty Ltd to supply these extraordinary little buildings to the public. Please visit the website for more information: IMBY Kit.
Our overarching goal was to embed high-quality architectural thinking into a kit that, through economies of scale and automated fabrication techniques, makes good design accessible to a broader audience.
The aesthetic of the IMBY™ Kit is defined by the raw expression of its materials and construction techniques, with the structural joints not only serving a functional role but also contributing to the kit's distinctive appearance.
