'Pop-up' garage homes concept wins competition

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Development

A London-based architecture firm's concept of inserting temporary accommodation units into unused garages in the east end has won a design competition that looked for ideas that could combat the UK's housing deficit.

Building Trust International (BTI) received over 400 entries for its HOME competition.

Levitt Bernstein's 'pop-up' design includes a kit of parts which can be swiftly installed into empty garages. Once installed, the units can be inhabited immediately.

Judge Andy Redfearn commented: “Levitt Bernstein provided a creative and cost effective solution to providing accommodation for single people in an urban setting. One was able to easily visualise the concept becoming a reality and I look forward to seeing the first people move in.”

BTI asked designers, engineers, architects and house builders to provide a solution to the housing crisis by offering sustainable, affordable small homes that give those that are alienated or marginalised within society a safe place to live. Entrants were requested to site their proposals in an urban area of a developed country, develop single occupant designs that were sensitive to the local context and keep to a budget of £20,000.

David Cole, Founding Partner of BTI, said: “We are very excited to be moving forward with the winning proposal and with the level of detail expressed in some of the other shortlisted designs we hope they also have a chance to be realised. The competition has been a great success and highlights the key role that architects and designers have in providing solutions to social housing problems occurring on their own doorsteps.”