Homestead is an idea that was concieved in October 2012, a solution to many problems associated with purchasing first homes. Namely, the cost, the commitment and the complexity.
The homestead is the same size as a small transport container, allowing it to be taken on plane, train, ship or truck to any destination. One can purchase pull out, swing out or extending rooms to add space, or swing down balconies. Each modular piece can be packed into the original homestead for transport. This means if a new child is born or a member of the family moves out, rooms can be added or removed in an instant. Without these modules, the home measures 5.8 metres by 2.3. Around 12.7 square metres. With four telescopic modules, this can be increased to an overall home floorplan of 28.7 square metres, a vast improvement.
Research from the project used a blackboard to allow people to speak their minds whilst protecting their identities.
When transported, the modular rooms can pack inside the homestead, alongside any possessions for easy transportation, this allows people to change their minds about where they want to live.
Rooms such as kitchens, living rooms and bedrooms can be built into these modules. The house is of a sustainable build also. From a timber frame, with insulation three times thicker than the modern caravan, a thin sheet of aluminium and timber cladding, each part can be returned to nature, or re-used again and again. This means that the house has a fully sustainable life cycle, from its production to eventual death.
