Live Pod: Prefab House
Live Pod Exterior
Live pod accentuate the verticality, minimum footprint (20′x20′) and prefabrication. The major components of the house are divisible and transported by typical 102″ wide tractor trailer. Live Pod incorporates sustainable building system and renewable material such as rain screen facade, bamboo flooring, photovoltaic panel, and green roof to collect rain water for irrigation. One of the advantages of prefabrication method is that all windows can be done off site, and achieve highest quality control, even when the shape is so unique. There are 3 modules of window that creates playful and operable openings.
Section
1st floor: Working Space
1st Floor Plan
2nd Floor: Living Area
2nd Floor Plan
3rd Floor: Bedroom
3rd Floor Plan
Roof Top
Roof top Plan
Like an egg shell, Live Pod’s structure element becomes part of the skin to provide column free living space. Although it is a prefabricated house, one can still customize the exterior wall, to any color and texture, and change the rain screen panel, from painted aluminum, recycled resin or cement board. The shear wall not only acts as structural anchor of the house, but also hosts all mechanical, electrical, and HVAC ducts and cables, which are connected to the machines on the rooftop. These ducts and cables are distributed to entire house through drop ceiling space below slabs to create clean and cable free working and living space.
Transportation
Sequence
The installation if Live Pod is as simple and straight forward as making a cabinet. After settling the foundation, it starts with three sides of facade panels, which are also structural members of the house. Then, the floor slabs are inserted as shelves, and they will be bolted and welded on site to maintain structural stability. Following that, it will be the installation of staircase and shear wall, and enclosed by the forth side of wall. Finally, all mechanical equipments, staircase enclosure with PV panel, and also the green roof system will be installed on the roof top. Green roof system reduces heat island effect, control storm water runoff, and it can also become an edible garden to harvest shallow-rooted vegetables such as tomato, basil and lettuce. Live Pod is a living organism that reacts, gives back, that co-exist with the cycle of nature.
