Pod Vending Machine - Robotic Architecture for Tomorrow’s Population SurgeIn what has to be on

Pod Vending Machine - Robotic Architecture for Tomorrow’s Population Surge

In what has to be one of my favourite concepts I’ve seen lately for tackling the Earth’s increasing population, this student proposal for a tower that prints homes to order combines modular styling with robotic character. 

Prospective home-owners would order their customised ‘pods’ via a self-service interface in the lobby which would be fed to a robotic 3D printing machine at the top of the ‘scraper. Once the pods are constructed, they are lowered down the face of the tower via a robotic arm and slotted into the framework based on the layout desired by the client. 

The concept’s designer - Malaysian designer Haseef Rafiei - wanted to take the Japanese obsession with vending machines and evolve it to the next level. The tower also boasts green credentials; with every pod capable of being reorganised, removed and recycled if needed. The automated nature of construction would also cut time, labour and materials. 

The project earned Rafiei an honourable mention in this year’s skyscraper competition. It’s a little industrial and perhaps a tad dystopian to anyone with a fear of robots, but I love this idea. Looks like something lifted straight out of Blade Runner. 

More at the designer’s site here.