Don’t worry; there are no extra-terrestrials here. These pods are a new type of housing that aim to invade the real estate market in years to come. They are preassembled homes, each approaching housing issues in a different way. Whether in the water, hanging from a cliff or stacking 30 units high, the pods’ unique designs provide creative approaches to the time, cost and space issues that can impede homebuyers and builders.
Italian architect Giancarlo Zema has designed several pod-style homes that take advantage of non-land properties. Two of these designs, the Jellyfish 45 and the Trilobis 65, are semi-submerged floating water homes encased in high-density fiberglass shells. The Neptus 60 is designed to cling to cliff-faces, utilizing vertical property. All three designs are built to house up to six people and include underwater observatories.
“We believe that the future of architecture is on the water and that shortly [people] will be more and more inclined towards living a floating experience. For this reason our efforts are going towards creating innovative architecture in harmony with nature,” Zema said in an e-mail statement.
Zema’s designs are still conceptual and geared more towards the luxury market than large scale use. The Trilobis 65 bears greater resemblance to a futuristic yacht than to a suburban home, equipped with electric motors which are “not intended for ocean crossings, but to be sufficient for moving the yacht to nearby reefs to explore seasonal changes in marine life and catch a true fish-eyes view of unusual migrating species,” according to Popular Mechanics. As a result, these designs may ultimately appeal primarily to wealthy vacationers. The estimated costs of these units range from $2 million for the Jellyfish 45 to $35 million for the Neptus 60, according to Zema’s website.
Two pod-style designs, the Trilobis 65 and the Neptus 60; images courtesy of Giancarlo Zema
A water-based floating pod by Marcin Panpuch aims to address the more practical concerns of the housing crunch. His pod house was designed with the city of London—particularly its crowded and costly city center—in mind.
“The river could be the answer to your housing problem. You could own a house and be able to live both in a quiet area of east London and in the middle of the capital, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere and beautiful river views, right on your doorstep,” according to Panpuch’s website.
If Panpuch’s pods became reality, however, it is likely that significant regulations would appear regarding their use on the Thames in order to keep obstruction of the river to a minimum.
Panpuch envisions the pods as easily transportable; whether to gain proximity to one’s workplace or to take the family on vacation, Panpuch’s pod should be able to go the distance, according to the project description on his website.
With the help of a crane, the units can be stacked into a pod tower in order to conserve space in the city. The estimated price is user-friendly, too, ranging from £20,000 to £30,000 GBP (approximately $41,000 to $62,000 U.S.).
One type of pod home is already available on the housing market. The Perrinepod, designed by Australia-based Jean-mic Perrine, is a simple, stylish home that can be constructed quickly and lived in comfortably. The first Perrinepods were erected in August.
"[Living spaces are] no longer a look for a generation, the look of ‘now’ only lasts for a three to four year period,” Perrine said on his website. “The Perrine Pod is the antithesis of all that—simple design, beautiful materials that will remain classic.”
The Perrinepod is made of polished concrete, can be erected in three days and has readymade plug-ins for electricity and plumbing. The pods are available in three sizes: a one bedroom, one bath model; a two bedroom, one bath model; and a two bedroom, two bath model. The units can be stacked up to 30 stories high or can be attached at the sides to create a larger living space.
With prices ranging from $129,313 AUD to $180,701 AUD, (approximately $113,600 U.S. to $158,800 U.S.), these pods are accessibly priced, and Perrine hopes to open factories in other countries.
“Eventually, Perrine would love to take his vision to the world setting up manufacturing plants in places like the Mississippi Delta where the U.S. government has spent billions housing people in caravans and other temporary units,” according to The Sunday Times [Perth].
Will these self-contained homes be the next big thing? It’s too early to say, but considering land shortages in cities and the growing need for simple and affordable housing, it’s possible that they will catch on sooner or later. Interested investors might want to keep an eye on the market so they can be prepared in the event of a pod invasion.
