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Hong Kong architect designs $15,000 flats from water pipes

Hong Kong architect James Law Cybertecture has created a prototype micro-house that is designed to ease Hong Kong’s affordable housing problems.

OPod Tube Housing builds apartments using sections of 2.5m-diameter concrete water pipe.

The method creates a 9.3 sq m home for one or two inhabitants, containing living, cooking and bathroom spaces. It also has smart phone locks for access as well as space-saving furniture that maximises interior space. A glass panel acts as the door and window of the property.

The modular homes are stackable and are designed to replicate a low-rise building when placed on top of one another.

The 20 tonne apartments can also be relocated other sites in the city.

James Law Cybertecture says the pods will cost US$15,000 to make, with monthly rent costing $416 – much cheaper than the Hong Kong average.

A prototype apartment has been built, but multiple stacked homes have not. The firm is talking to local government officials about making the pods a commercial reality.

Images courtesy of James Law Cybertecture

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Comments

  1. Incredible, intelligent and amazing foresight by the architect. First of all shipping containers and now old waterpipes. This concept could work in the the UK if applied correctly. Great imaginative thinking. outside the box literally speaking.

  2. Great idea for one person but two people? Hmmm .
    Is 100 square foot big enough?
    I see how people live in Hong Kong and can’t see this working unless it was bigger . It’s not practical if you take into account storage for clothes, cooking etc.

  3. The concept is good. However, some technical problems (e.g. drainage system, sewerage system, power supply, etc.) should be solved.

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