Although ‘Auto Residence' architect Markus Voglreiter has a big smile on his face, it's not clear if his neighbours are quite so pleased.

His fabulously unusual home, right in a residential area of Salzburg, Austria, has been styled on the shape of a small vehicle but it's not exactly in keeping with the rather traditional neighbourhood. While Voglreiter is understandably chuffed with his brilliant eco-home, his fellow local residents will be relieved to know that the car-style shell is just for show, even though the house itself is here to stay.

The eye-catching abode has been built to harness the very qualities that the smart car has in abundance - ecological responsibility, energy-saving sustainability and a whole load of fab features packed into a small space. Built using a ‘3 litre' energy-efficiency heating and insulation system, the smart home, dubbed the ‘Auto Residence', also utilises the natural resources of daylight, shade and wind for effective ventilation, lighting and electricity.

Although the eco-home may be raising a few eyebrows in the area, Volgreiter was careful to ensure the plans for his smart project complied with all codes and regulations to guarantee full planning permission. Perhaps the fact that the ‘Auto Residence' offers a range of separate living spaces will allow the Volgreiter family plenty of areas to entertain curious neighbours and win them over to an altogether smarter way of living.

For more information on smart visit thesmart.co.uk.