Homelessness is as big an issue in San Francisco as any other major city, but local firm Panoramic Interests has designed a self-contained stackable tiny apartment that it promotes as a viable solution. MicroPAD modular dwellings comprise a total floorspace of just 160 sq ft (14 sq m), but include a kitchenette, sleeping area, and bathroom.
The idea is that multiple MicroPAD (Prefabricated Affordable Dwelling) units would be stacked atop each other, to a maximum height of 12 stories, depending on the site. Ideally, they would be installed in an infill area (the unused space between existing buildings unattractive to developers) to keep costs down. The firm even says it could build MicroPAD apartment blocks atop existing developments, such as parking garages, for example.
Comprising a steel shell with a fair amount of glazing, the homes look very snug but their 9 ft (2.7 m)-high ceilings should help make it feel less cramped inside. The design and layout looks well thought-out and the amenities are generous, including a bathroom with shower and toilet, a kitchenette, bed, storage space, and a desk. A layout suitable for disabled occupants can also be installed.
Panoramic Interests is currently drumming up interest for its first MicroPAD build in San Francisco. If successful, the firm will prefabricate MicroPAD units in a factory before they are assembled on-site. It then plans to lease the development to the city, which could in turn decide which homeless people live in the tiny apartments.
According to the firm, the MicroPAD exceeds San Francisco's earthquake regulations and can be built up to 50 percent quicker than a typical non-prefabricated project. It also says that building costs could be up to 40 percent less than a conventional, non-prefab project. Though the images show the MicroPAD placed on a trailer, that's just to make it easier to move around the recently-completed prototype.
Inhabitat reports that rent (paid by the city) would come in at around US$1,000 per month. Future plans for the project include rolling out the idea to other cities.
Source: Panoramic Interests
Modular living solutions have been around for years, naysayers say nay, while fan bois cheer... One day A solution will achieve real acceptance, untill then it is merely a typical Architectural honours project/
I'll go one further and say there are efficiencies to be had allowing multiple people to share spaces like kitchens and bathrooms rather than have multiple separate kitchens and bathrooms per occupant.
Actual affordable housing for homeless would look suspiciously like Army barracks with rows and rows of bunkbeds with a wall locker for personal stuff and large bathrooms shared by dozens of people.
This is most likely an attempt to make a pile of money selling expensive tiny homes to government in the name of helping the poor. I give it poor marks and 1 bedroom 700 square foot apartments in San Francisco go for $750,000
Maybe what homeless in SF need more than anything is a bus ticket. I'm selling a 3 bedroom 1200 square foot rental property with a view and a yard in rural NY for $40k. The public schools are good and crime rates are almost nonexistant to boot.
Maybe we should start building more homeless shelters in places that aren't SF.
Is it an absolute certainty that every person selected to live in a unit is simply looking to game the system and have a free ride for life? Is every homeless person hopeless too?
Where does it say that the units will be stacked 12 stories at every infill site? What do the projected costs look like? Could some homeless people be trained to build the units and create jobs for homeless in this process?
So many possibilities for tiny homes. Housing affordability in SF is near an all time low once again. There are many young people who would live small in the city in an in-fill project just to live small and save for the future.
Would every project for this type of unit have to be for street homeless? There are working people who would buy these units to have affordable housing in the city.
Come on folks, give the concept a chance and look at it from all sides before you incinerate the concept.