Cherryflava

Shack Chic: The future of low cost housing?

Posted on 12. Jun, 2008 by Jonathan Cherry in Design

An American design company has come up with a possible solution to South Africa’s housing shortage. This elaborate structure called the Abōd™ durable, lightweight and can be easily shipped in a compact box for quick on-site assembly.

The Abōd components pack flat
and come ready for installation along with all the tools needed for
assembly. With a screwdriver, awl and a ladder, the home can be
constructed in one day with the teamwork of four people. While easy to
assemble, these homes can be dismantled (with a security tool only) and
moved by the owner. All of this…and more if you order now, for just $1500 [or at today's exchange rate that's R12000]

Considering the size of the structure – R12 000 is a very high cost per square meter to build this thing. Besides, just looking at it – that corrugated iron roof can will be taken off and made into three separate houses within hours of this fancy construction being put up.
Practical no – but a big fat design prize to the company…probably.

More: Affordable prefab house for South Africa – Inhabitat

On the subject of prefab buildings – here’s a further concept for a classroom of the future.

The mobile classroom will move from school to school, and is designed
to hold 15 students at a time.  Once the pod is delivered, a set of
hydraulics expands the unit wider, and creates an entrance as well as a
stage and a small-cinema-sized screen for presentations and
performances.

Pop up and temporary structures are certainly the future, but if you agree with the saying ‘A home / classroom is a man’s castle’ – it doesn’t say much for the design of these structures.

More: Classroom of the Future – The Coolhunter