Before I finally closed my boat building business down, I was approached by a company
http://www.cabinstogo.co.nz/ to design and build a panel system they could use to rapidly construct their cabins. The panels were 4ft by 8ft that were insulated and had a finished interior and exterior surface, except for paint. They had a simple connecting system and were made entirely from materials from the local lumber yard. They were also made several at a time with minimum labour. I made just under 200 of these panels, enough for about 20 cabins.
These types of portable cabins with wheels on are on the rise here. Trends for future living strategies are suggesting that in areas where the traditional family home that does not have enough land to subdivide, can have these types of dwellings trucked or dropped in. There are already trends where adult kids who simply cannot afford mortgages are moving back home to the back yard. Councils are fighting with bylaws but will have to rethink and have some concessions at some point.
There are tonnes of very convenient technologies now available for power, water and waste that make small footprint living very comfortable. The main problem though comes with finding a like minded partner, if that is important.
The panel system I developed was eventually canned, but not for reasons that it did not work. I still own the design and technology. One day if I have an opportunity I would like to revisit this. I think it could be a growth market, matched with the right emphasis.
iMac - 10.10.3 - Live 9 Suite - APC40 - Axiom 61 - TX81z - Firestudio Mobile - Focal Alpha 80's - Godin Session - Home made foot controller