Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Japanese 30 Square Foot Paco Home

Japanese architect Jo Nagasaka along with the Schemata Architecture Office have come up with a contraption that supposedly "rethinks" how much space we need for day-to-day activities; approximately 30 square feet.

This cube is to contain a hammock to sleep on, a Japanese-style recessed desk, and a sink, toilet and shower. Nagasaka has quickly put out the disclaimer that the Paco home is not an actual stand alone solution but intent is to supplement your particular living situation. It could be a beach house, a portable office — anything, really, as long as you find a way to lug it into place and hook up the water. Huh?


I don't get the point of this dumpster looking box as I can not for the life of me see what anyone would want to do with it especially when a more comfortable, more easily transportable and convenient solution exists (RVs anyone?). I had initially thought that this might be another "Universal World House" attempt until I realized that it didn't even have a kitchen. As it is, it looks like either a really well sanitized pod in some penitentiary or a cell in an insane ward, missing the pads on the walls. Nagasaka really needs to start "thinking outside the box!"






Images obtained from: www.nerdwithswag.com

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

This could be a solution to San Francisco's homeless problem! And the homeless will feel right at home in it. "See its just like your old cardboard box".

Its an absurd design. I guess it may make sense for a teenager. They could have it attached to their parents home and still get their meals at "home" but live away from home. They could pay rent and learn independence. Hopefully the are no strong winds or rains in the area or your kids could get washed away biblical style.

And whats with the homoerotic picture of a guy taking a shower. Its not bad enough that you live in a shoebox, but you have to put up with your neighbors watching you shower like you're on some cheap webcam.

I wonder if this is cheaper than a single width trailer? What would you call a whole neighborhood of these things? What about the people who live there? "Paco Trash"?

I better stop now. Good article ArchSource.

ArchSourcer said...

Paco trash!! That was funny.
I think you underscored some of the key issues that really makes this design ridiculous and unfeasible for any realistic domestic program.