pod-u-like: architect Martin Manpuch's revolutionary design

As every house buyer knows it's all about location. What, then, if you could buy a house that can be moved at whim?

One day it's a houseboat with views of London's dramatic riverscape, the next a suburban home near parks and schools. Mere science fiction or the future of housing in the capital?

If Polish-born architect Marcin Panpuch's dreams ever get off the ground a new generation of homeowners could find themselves living in these clear, spherical pods - able to choose their postcode as the mood takes them.

Panpuch was inspired by the Thames to design the sphere as an answer to London's overheated housing-market. His design is being shown at the Royal Institute of British Architects' (Riba) exhibit of innovative housing, Future House London.

"The river in London is empty, yet there is a big problem with land in short supply," said Harrow-based Panpuch, 30. "With my sphere you could live on the river or in London's empty docks.

"Or you could live in the middle of the capital, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere-and beautiful river views." The sphere would be divided into three floors built around a core containing the stairs, kitchen, bathroom and lavatories. The upper floor is the living space, with the lower floor housing the bedrooms and main entrance.

The bottom floor, beneath the surface of the river, would be used for storage, water tanks, heating system and computer equipment. Retractable screens offer privacy. Energy from solar panels is stored in batteries below water level. The main floor stores heat in the day for release at night.

Also on show at Future House London is a terrace of two houses and two studio flats built by architecture students Annalie Riches, 35, Silvia Ullmayer, 36, and Barti Garibaldo, 38, who could not afford to buy in London.

They used low-cost and reclaimed materials such as polycarbonate cladding and used bricks to build the timber-framed homes on a disused goods yard in Stoke Newington.

Fashion designer Zandra Rhodes, a member of the Riba jury, said: "If we follow some of the exciting ideas born in this show, London will become a town of the future."

  • Future House London is at City Hall, The Queen's Walk, SE1, until 29 July.

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