The inspiration for prefabricated, modular houses can come from a variety of sources—including sewage pipes. Portuguese architect Samuel Gonçalves and his studio at the Science and Technology Park of University of Porto recently adapted massive concrete drainage pipes for use as modular homes to address the housing crisis in Portugal.
The Gomos System, currently on display at the Venice Architectural Biennale, takes standard pipes used in drainage infrastructure and installs them side by side to create the basic shell—floor, roof, and two of the four walls—of a home. Because the pieces are based on an existing form, they can be easily modified, manufactured, and moved.
While the component parts are fabricated in a factory over three months, it takes only three days to construct the house, which can be fashioned by combining two or more segments. The finished product is covered in slate and timber and can either have a mono-pitched or gabled roof.
The Gomos System's flexibility and adaptability puts it in the same school of thought as Biennale director Alejandro Aravena's Incremental housing projects. See how a house comes together by viewing the videos below.
Loading comments...