Are microcompact homes in your future?

[Ivan Seeking]

http://www.microcompacthome.com/pics/start_1.jpg

The micro compact home [m-ch] is a lightweight compact dwelling for one or two people. Its compact dimensions of 2.6m cube adapt it to a variety of sites and circumstances, and its functioning spaces of sleeping, working / dining, cooking and hygiene make it suitable for everyday use...

http://www.microcompacthome.com/

The team of researchers and designers based in London and at the Technical University in Munich developed the m-ch as an answer to an increasing demand for short stay living for students, business people, sports and leisure use and for weekenders. The m-ch, now in use and available throughout Europe, combines techniques for high quality compact 'living' spaces deployed in aircraft, yachts, cars, and micro apartments...

http://www.microcompacthome.com/company/

 

[waht]

wow, those are really 2.6 meters across,

 

[Ivan Seeking]

I hate to say it, but what I see is the potential future of low-income [permanent] housing.

It reminds me of something from science fiction - a post-apocalyptic world where people live in shipping containers.

 

[TheStatutoryApe]

It reminds me of something from science fiction - a post-apocalyptic world where people live in shipping containers.

And cyberpunk dystopias where people live in sleep pods. They already have it going in Japan.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capsule_hotel

 

[Moonbear]

I think those are called NYC apartments. Those "pods" in Japan remind me of kennels. Do you get a food dish and sipper bottle of water in them?

I don't think it would be feasible for someone to live in a space that small for a long time. It would have to be more like just a private bedroom, but associated with a community with community amenities and opportunities to socialize, exercise, etc. Or do they squeeze a human-sized hamster wheel into those little cubes?

The situation where I could see something like that being useful is to provide short-term housing for relief workers after a disaster or on a remote job site, where you're not really spending time in there, just need a space to eat and sleep. But then, trailers work just as well for that. If they aren't stackable, a trailer is just as good of a use of space, and when you don't need it in that location anymore, you just tow it away.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Oh, come on Moonbear, doesn't that look cozy?

My first thought was the same as yours: Why is this different than living in a trailer? Then I checked the price.

The quoted price is for a single unit and frame and does not include delivery, installation and connection to services, consultant’s fees and taxes. Subject to site conditions the inclusive guide price is EUR 50,000.