Stackable Mobile Home Tower Takes Portable Housing to New Heights
It may seem like something out of a science fiction novel in which a far and distant future is described, but architect Felipe Campolina’s recent unveiling of a concept for stackable mobile homes is making waves among traditional builders and designers as well as forward-thinking green building professionals. Sprawling up the length of a tall support structure that contains a staircase, an elevator, and a water delivery system, an exoskeleton that houses a series of small portable mobile homes looks a bit imposing –until the fascinating technologies behind this unique green building idea are discovered.
Traditionally popular for their ability to be quickly transported and planted down in a new and exciting place, mobile homes may be attractive to some buyers –yet they’ve never been known as especially environmentally friendly, and the tendency to straddle such buildings in large sprawls on the outskirts of cities may make them impractical and less than desirable for many. Campolina’s idea addresses these concerns through simplifying and streamlining the way in which mobile homes are placed and used. The grid system attached to the building’s support is able to allow for the movement of the homes themselves, making it potentially very easy to move from one location to the next while staying in an urban, modern environment.
Individual units are able to be moved to the bottom of the structure, where they can be picked up by a truck or other vehicle and transported, whether it’s to an entirely new town or simply to the countryside for a bit of a vacation. Even with the ability of the units to be completely manipulated, the building itself is described as having very little impact on the structures around it, as the first floor is designed to begin well above the roofs of lower-lying structures.
The design incorporates a number of modern ideas for increasing efficiency and reducing impact on the environment, such as a careful attention to insulation and water usage. With open spaces between the units that allow for the free flowing of air, cooling –an issue that is frequently difficult to solve in any urban environment– may be especially well-addressed by the design. The space also allows tenants to pivot their mobile home units, resulting in a change of view –a novel feature that can undoubtedly refresh and update the feeling of any home, especially those perched atop a high structure with sweeping views of a city.
Incorporating both modern green building ideas and architectural innovation, Campolina’s mobile home structure is pointing many other designers and developers in new directions for providing comfortable living spaces while also paying attention to the needs of the environment. Though the modular way of life may not be for everybody, this concept suggests a future of smart and convenient homes that will make living in the big city more enjoyable and a little better for the planet.
