Mobile architecture is about turning built spaces into resourceful structures that may be used even when in, during or after transit. Given is a list of exemplary examples of mobile architecture from all around the world:
1. Micro Mobile Homes- Land Ark
Land Ark RV was designed to fulfil the dreams of architect couple, Joni and Brian Buzarde’s to have their own tiny home on wheels. The home is called ‘Drake’ that comes with three-metre high ceilings with two lofts that can sleep up to six people, a flew room, full sized shower and 14 windows to ensure natural lighting. The architects have said that this design was a reproduction of their experience in living in a small space and appreciating the functionality of the simplest of objects in a house.
2. Nature-inspired Pinecone Gazebo
Designed by Czech designers Atelier SAD, this nature-inspired gazebo is a play-area that can be used by children as well as adults for recreational purposes. The pinecone structure is made out of 109 waterproof, plywood scales treated with resistant glaze and connected by galvanized joints to create a self-sustaining structure. The pinecone allows self-ventilation with ideal acoustics for a vast variety of uses.
3. O. B.
Post graduate students of architecture from Montana State University won an Undergraduates Scholars Program research grant which they used to fund their design- build project, B. O. B. which stands for ‘The Backyard Office Box’. It is a kit of parts which when put together, create a 150-square foot dwelling space. The project was envisioned to be an adaptable project that can as either a standalone temporary shelter or an additional shelter to pre-existing projects.
4. A Kit of Parts
Studio Jantzen identified four main shortcomings of mobile classrooms in today’s time: flexibility, sustainability, cost effectiveness and creativity in building. Unlike conventional mobile classrooms, this project is fabricated from renewable materials and allows the control of three major aspects of conventional architecture- light, ventilation and acoustics. The concept adheres to the idea of building a closer connection between students and teachers for better exchange and connectivity, abandoning the traditional ‘closed’ classroom typology.
5. Tetra-Shed
Tetra-shed, designed by architect David Ajasa-Adekunle, is built on the basics of space, money and imagination. It may be used an outdoor office space, with no limit to the number of units that one may wish to connect together. A single module can comfortably allow two workers to sit, with built-in desks and windows that look more like holes on the wall.
6. Artist Bothy
named after the Scottish word for shelter, this small hut was designed by friends Nivenand MacLeod for artists wanting to set up their art studios at remote locations. It is a compact 12.25 square metre cabin that stands on a base of only 5.5 by 3 metres. The timber structure is covered in sheets of russet Corten steel and Scottish larch, while a small patio wraps the corner by the entrance. This structure is built to take advantage of the new legislation in Scotland that exempts simple hut structures from multiple building restrictions. The space was a dream made in reality to create flexible space in isolated locations, away from urban contexts and can be easily transported to a place of the artist’s wish.
7. Trailer
Designed by the Invisible Studio, Trailer is a mobile micro home made of locally grown timber in Bath, England and other materials saved from construction waste. The aim was to provide a low-cost yet versatile space that can provide any function necessary. It is designed so that it can be legally transport around in England. The technique used is described by the team as ‘same section’ wherein they take 125mm by 50mm pieces and laminate them up into structural sections for the cross frames.
8. Copenhagen Islands
Designed to be used as a public space, it is a 20-metre floating platform with a single linden tree, a prototype for the original project. It has been used by kayakers, swimmers as a resting place and even for small events. It is a hand-constructed platform with the aim to draw attention to the interesting use of waterways making it more active and livelier. The main aim for the design was to connect the islands through festivals and special events that may take place on the platform.
9. Wohnmaschine
This mobile bus looks like the Bauhaus school in Dessau and was designed to travel between four global cities, with the aim to ‘unlearn’. The 15-square-metre mobile building is created to mirror the iconic workshop wing of the school building. It features the exact same gridded glass walls and signage as the workshop wings of the Bauhaus school. As the name means ‘living house’, the bus was designed to embody the school’s principles and values, its history and legacy.
10. The Collingwood Shepherd Hut
Ontario-based firm, Gute, designed the Collingwood Shepherd Hut as a transportable hut that combines German technicality with the warmth and homeliness of natural materials. Set up on cast iron wheels, this compact home can be placed anywhere- from a remote location in the woods or by the road in front of your house. The structural design is inspired from the traditional mobile huts used in the 19th and 20th century by shepherds.
