The Nanabode Origin Story
The story of Nanabode begins with founder Nick Mehl's passion for efficient, modern design that integrates principles of sustainability and high quality design. As an architect practicing in Austin, TX, he would often receive calls for pre-designed small houses and ADUs, designs that had already been refined and optimized. Nick's desire to make these designs accessible to everyday people sparked the birth of Nanabode.
In early 2023, Nick Mehl embarked on the journey of gathering designs that embodied his vision of sustainability and affordability. Samantha Baumann joined soon after, bringing her expertise and passion in residential design and interiors. The two partners combine 40+ years of architectural design experience ranging from residential houses and additions to larger commercial projects.
What sets Nick and Sam apart is their shared passion for urban living and respect for the natural environment. Their vision is to contribute to resolving the housing crisis, offering solutions that cater to diverse needs while being eco-friendly.
Nick Mehl conceived of Nanabode at a time when housing prices were increasing to the point of being unaffordable for most people. A portion of his work had been designing backyard ADUs for people and the experience made him realize the benefits of adding a separate small home to a property, gaining added space for extended family or offsetting the mortgage through rental income.
The business started by offering fully detailed construction documents and specifications. This gives the homeowner the resources to quickly and affordably build a well-designed, energy efficient home at a fraction of what a custom design would cost. We offer a broad but curated range of designs that satisfy many living arrangements and fit on most properties.
Realizing that there are some circumstances where plans are not enough, and following an interest in factory-built housing, Nanabode is starting to offer prefabricated homes for smaller designs available throughout the US. Prefab construction allows us to ensure a set price, high-level construction quality and a drastic reduction in overall build time. Prefab construction is especially appealing for projects in areas where there is a shortage of skilled labor or where construction costs are very high. This is an exciting phase of our evolution and we look forward to the possibilities it will bring.
