Parasitic pods attached to buildings could house New York’s homeless
Our latest Dezeen x MINI Living video features a proposal by creative agency Framlab to house the homeless population of New York in parasitic pods attached to the outside of existing buildings.
The hexagonal modules have been designed for easy and inexpensive assembly, and would be slotted into scaffolding structures affixed to windowless facades around the city.
Each features a prefabricated aluminium exterior shell to shield the residents from harsh weather. Framlab proposes filling the shell with a 3D-printed wall structure, made from recycled plastic and lined with plywood.
In contrast to the communal spaces offered by many homeless shelters, each unit is designed to house one occupant to maintain their privacy and safety. Meanwhile, a modular range of fittings would allow residents to customise each pod according to their needs.
The scheme aims to tackle the growing amount of homelessness in New York, and to address the scarcity and cost of space in the city by capitalising on the abundance of unused vertical spaces on the exteriors of buildings.
The movie is part of Dezeen x MINI Living Initiative, a year-long collaboration with MINI exploring how architecture and design can contribute to a brighter urban future through a series of videos and talks.
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