1. Tricycle house by PAO (People´s Architecture Office) and PIDO (People´s Industrial Design Office)
Minimal Shelter ___ 2013research by Michael T.
2. 01Tricycle house
Why?
“The fact that housing has become unbelievably expensive
in China is not new news by any stretch of the imagination,
and residents of Beijing have been living in much smaller
spaces for years now. But due to severe overcrowding and
the need for sustainable residences, it seems the tricycle
house could be an innovative, though not necessarily
comfortable, solution.”
Melissa Stanger, Bussiness Insider
9. Tricycle house 08
Fabrication
Made from a new, experimental form of folding plastic (poly-
prophylene), the house can either open up to the outside,
expand out like an accordion to increase space, or connect
to other houses. The polypropylene material is translucent
so that light can come through either from the sun or street
lamps.
13. Tricycle house 12
Resume
‘As a construction method we experimented with folded
plastic. Each piece of the house is cut with a CNC router ,
scored, folded and welded into shape.
‘The plastic, polypropylene, can be folded without losing its
strength.
‘Therefore the house can open up to the outside, expand like
an accordion for more space, and connect to other houses.
‘The plastic is translucent allowing the interior to be lit by
the sun during the day or street lamps at night.
‘The Tricycle House is man-powered and operates of f-the-
grid.
‘Facilities in the house include a sink and stove, a bathtub, a
water tank, and furniture that can transform from a bed to a
dining table and bench to a bench and counter top.
‘The sink, stove, and bathtub can collapse into the front wall
of the house.’
