South African Home Is 183 Square Feet

Tiny, sustainable living is becoming a more and more attractive solution to the problems of urban living. So architects like the Johannesburg-based architect Clara da Cruz Almeidaare coming up ingenious ways to make these teeny tiny spaces more livable.

Tiny, sustainable living is becoming a more and more attractive solution to the problems of urban living.

So architects like the Johannesburg-based architect Clara da Cruz Almeida are coming up ingenious ways to make these teeny tiny spaces more livable.

Almeida designed and built a tiny 183-square-foot home — called the INDAWO / lifePOD — and suited it perfectly to the warm South African climate.

Though the livable space is small, the pod has very high ceilings, allowing for storage up along the walls and a high lofted bed. Brett Rubin

Though the square footage isn't much to work with, Almeida worked closely with Johannesburg-based interior and product design firm Dokter and Misses on the pod's clever fold-out couches, fold-down table, and enclosed storage that allow the space to transform instantaneously.

The lower area of the pod can be used for anything, but is particularly well-equipped to serve as a kitchen. Brett Rubin

The pod also has very high ceilings, allowing for storage up along the walls and a beneath high lofted bed. The space is bright and airy since the side walls are made of see-through glass, which lets in copious amounts of light.

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The lower area of the pod can be used for anything, but is particularly well-equipped to serve as a kitchen.

As for the green aspects of the pod, it promises to shave huge amounts of money off the energy bill with its prefab design and efficient use of space.

The pod offers a surprising amount of space for storage. Brett Rubin

According to Curbed, Almeida hopes people will see the pod as more than guest a backyard guesthouse, but instead a new model for home ownership where land ownership is not necessary. The pod will be extremely affordable as well, costing between $18,000 and $63,000.

Almeida hopes to expand on her concept and develop different versions like a flatpack or self-assembling pod.

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The pod promises to shave huge amounts of money off the energy bill with its prefab design and efficient use of space. Brett Rubin

You can find out more information at the POD-INDAWA website

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