Great things might come in small packages, but that's not to say that they're also affordable. Pod Studio, a container-like expanding home that aims for the title of the world's smartest tiny home, might also be in the running for the world's most expensive.
Podform and Pod Studio are both relatively new names on a market that places increasingly more focus on alternative, preferably mobile and definitely affordable housing solutions. Podform is a California-based startup, and Pod Studio is the flagship product, which, as of the time of press, is still in early development stage.
As a concept, the Pod Studio is the home of the future in every possible aspect: it's a container-like prefabricated structure that can be easily assembled on a variety of terrains with minimal manpower and tools, it expands to three times its size once it's set up, it’s smart, and it’s very modern. The Pod Studio offers all the creature comforts of a brick-and-mortar home in a very compact package that can be easily relocated, a reduced footprint, and all the advantages of tiny living.
In short, the Pod Studio is 454 square feet (42 square meters) of modern, comfortable living. It's a transformable but fully equipped space that comes packed with technology for extra safety and ease of mind. It's "the most" in the best way possible.
Photo: Podform
The first time we covered the Pod Studio, details on pricing and availability were lacking, but we now have (a bit of) both. Podform is planning to unveil a prototype as a glamping unit, so it's taking pre-orders for nightly stays. The company is now saying that this unit will be ready by the summer of 2024.
Those who are already convinced by the promise of the house of the future and itching to place orders will be able to do so soon. As we anticipated, Podform is taking the Pod Studio to crowdfunding, saying that the campaign is going live "within weeks," but without offering something more concrete than this. Financing and leasing options will be possible.
That last part will probably come in handy since we’re talking about a lot of money. Podform is planning to release two models of the Pod Studio, one with grid connections and one fully off-grid. The former starts at $430,000 and presumably includes some reliance on solar for maximum convenience, while the latter will retail for $500,000. The Tesla Cybertruck in the renders doesn't come with the house, sorry.
Dubbed the smartest tiny house in the world, the Pod Studio isn't a proper tiny house because it doesn't sit on a trailer and can't be towed to a different location, but requires a flatbed truck and crane to move around. However, it is a tiny house in the sense that it's very small – and if it's any consolation, it's probably also the acworld's most expensive, smartest tiny house.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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