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Arch2O.com - Architecture & Design Magazine
One of the many propositions for solving the homeless dilemma in New York is covering the buildings? vacant walls with a honeycomb arrangement of small housing pods. The innovative idea was the brainchild of Framlab which is a design agency based in New York and Oslo.
Courtesy of Framlab
“Although almost every square foot of space in NYC has been claimed, there still manages to exist an abundance of ‘vertical lots’ sitting idle,” Framlab mentioned.

“These are the blank sidewalls of buildings that emerge and disappear as new developments come and go, providing hundreds of acres of available ‘land’.”
Courtesy of Framlab
The proposed hexagonal pods will be created using scaffolding at vacant facades. The temporary parasitic structures can be rapidly constructed and dismantled. Once they are constructed, the occupants can access them via staircases attached to the scaffolding. The project resembles, to some extent, the temporary sleeping units proposed for the homeless of London, by architect James Furzer.
Courtesy of Framlab
The outer walls of the units designed by Framlab are made of aluminum to tolerate extreme weather, while the 3D-printed inner walls are made of recycled polycarbonate. A single pod can accommodate only one resident, which is safer than most of the shelters the homeless resort to.
Courtesy of Framlab
Plywood lines the units to give a feeling of cozin...