Architecture

G-pod unveils expandable shipping container-based off-grid home

G-pod unveils expandable shipping container-based off-grid home
The G-pod Dwell shipping container-based home (Image: G-pod)
The G-pod Dwell shipping container-based home (Image: G-pod)
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Bathroom area in the Dwell (Image: G-pod)
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Bathroom area in the Dwell (Image: G-pod)
Overlooking the deck area of the Dwell (Image: G-pod)
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Overlooking the deck area of the Dwell (Image: G-pod)
The G-pod Dwell shipping container-based home (Image: G-pod)
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The G-pod Dwell shipping container-based home (Image: G-pod)
The Pop is a pop-up store (Image: G-pod)
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The Pop is a pop-up store (Image: G-pod)
The Pop is a pop-up store (Image: G-pod)
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The Pop is a pop-up store (Image: G-pod)
The Pop is a pop-up store (Image: G-pod)
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The Pop is a pop-up store (Image: G-pod)
Inside the G-pod Dwell (Image: G-pod)
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Inside the G-pod Dwell (Image: G-pod)
Inside, the Dwell sports a kitchen and dining area, bathroom, bed and couch, a study nook, and a laundry area (Image: G-pod)
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Inside, the Dwell sports a kitchen and dining area, bathroom, bed and couch, a study nook, and a laundry area (Image: G-pod)
The Dwell's expandable design involves manually pushing out the east west and south push-outs, and is a one-person job. (Image: G-pod)
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The Dwell's expandable design involves manually pushing out the east west and south push-outs, and is a one-person job. (Image: G-pod)
A company rep told Gizmag that the first unit is about to roll off the production line very soon (Image: G-pod)
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A company rep told Gizmag that the first unit is about to roll off the production line very soon (Image: G-pod)
The Dwell's expanding system turns it from 14.8 sq m (160 sq ft) to 37.1 sq m (400 sq ft), including the deck (Image: G-pod)
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The Dwell's expanding system turns it from 14.8 sq m (160 sq ft) to 37.1 sq m (400 sq ft), including the deck (Image: G-pod)
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Hong Kong and Australia-based company G-pod has unveiled a new shipping container home that it hopes will stand out from the sizable competition thanks to a novel expandable design that increases usable floor space significantly. The G-pod Dwell can also operate off-grid and optional extras include a rainwater collection unit and solar array.

Not to be confused with the G-POD we reported on back in 2012, the Dwell is currently in production, and a company rep told Gizmag that the first unit is about to roll off the factory line very soon. It takes just three hours to "unpack" the Dwell from shipping container into a home, and another three hours to ready it for transportation again – which shouldn't be too tricky given the existing international infrastructure for moving around shipping containers.

Bathroom area in the Dwell (Image: G-pod)
Bathroom area in the Dwell (Image: G-pod)

The Dwell's expandable design involves manually pushing out the east, west, and south push-outs (though a push-button hydraulic system is also an option), and is a one-person job. The deck is lowered manually too, and is fitted with a spring compensator system. G-pod told Gizmag that all this effort increases the usable floor space of the Dwell from 14.8 sq m (160 sq ft) to 37.1 sq m (400 sq ft), including the deck.

Inside, the Dwell is small but quite fully-featured and it sports a kitchen and dining area, bathroom, bed and couch, a study nook, and a laundry area. There's also a deck, some seating and a BBQ bench. The furniture is built from sustainably-sourced bamboo.

Inside, the Dwell sports a kitchen and dining area, bathroom, bed and couch, a study nook, and a laundry area (Image: G-pod)
Inside, the Dwell sports a kitchen and dining area, bathroom, bed and couch, a study nook, and a laundry area (Image: G-pod)

The Dwell is designed to operate on or off-the-grid, and additions include an optional rainwater collection system, composting toilet, and solar array. The latter has an integrated battery system that allows the shipping container-based home to operate for up to three days without sunlight.

Insulation is always a real concern with shipping container-based homes, but G-pod says its various glazing, insulation and screening options (air-con is an option too) should have you covered in all weather, "from the Australian Desert to the Ski- Fields of Japan."

In addition to the Dwell, G-pod also sells the Pop, a similarly expandable shipping container-based unit that's intended to serve as a pop-up store. Anyone interested in the G-pod Dwell (or Pop) can contact the company via the source link below for pricing and availability.

Source: G-pod

View gallery - 12 images
4 comments
4 comments
BigGoofyGuy
I think that is really cool. It would be neat to live in something like that. It is great to have the option of living on or off grid; or on grid with the off grid part in emergency situations.
Bob Flint
Even a tent has bug screens...
Bob
It looks nice with the walls open but in hot, cold or very windy weather it would have to be closed up. At night the bugs could get a little annoying. It also looks like an open invitation for theft and would have limited privacy. A vendor stand OK but as a home, NOPE.
redjeff53
this is very practical,functional,and appealing,but 'NO WAY" is it worth 49 thousand dollars! especially since 'shipping containers' can be purchased 'used' for a few 'hundred' dollars!