Kinetic Cities: Viability of Adaptable PNP Container Modules for Smart Living

Overview & Synopsis

The US is experiencing a housing crisis, especially for first time buyers, low income and baby boomers, as well as globally in areas hit by natural disasters due to changing weather systems. Contributing factors to this issue include the slow rebound of housing production from the last recession as well as the recent Covid pandemic market rush to the suburbs, which has resulted in climbing prices and low housing availability (Joint Center, 2019, Spencer, 2021). One possible solution for these consumers would be a container house, but until recently this tiny house option meant that the homeowner would most likely be skirting by-laws since it is often illegal to build small dwellings in many municipalities. Few states or cities have yet created the innovative zoning necessary to address this new phenomenon in their land planning and building codes. In addition, the younger generations want environmentally friendly products and energy efficient homes, something that traditional house developers adopt in limited ways, but small house builders consider integral to their products. These younger consumers are also interested in either avoiding a mortgage or having lower interest payments, so smaller housing usually means it is less expensive, which opens disposable income. This motivation is one factor in the emergence of the Tiny House movement whose followers watch shows like Tiny House Nation, Tiny House Hunters, Tiny House Builders and Tiny House Big Living on HGTV. These shows follow people as they build houses between 150- 500sf in size using innovative design and materials with the hope of spending less and allowing more lifestyle options. The trend appearing is that there is an increasing number of potential small home buyers, as per recent surveys (Keyser, 2017 & IPX, 2021). This reflects the desire for a minimalist lifestyle, housing mobility to relocate easily and lower house costs to avoid a mortgage for more financial independence and freedom, which are benefits of a smaller home (White Paper, 2017). Those who are inspired to join the tiny house movement are from a range of ages and incomes, though this housing type especially appeals to the Millennial generation who have spearhead the recent urban revival. It is anticipated that the urban population density will increase even more in decades to come so a tiny house product that can move from being a single-family unit to linking into a multi-family building for urban locations could be a good solution. This could be achieved by using containers to provide these flexible options for a new kind of housing concept. While there are container homes on the market currently, they do not meet these criteria, and it would require a new product to be developed. These new container modules could be designed to address improved affordability, health, reduced energy consumption and increased mobility to create an alternate, and potentially better lifestyle solution for many people.