– Long term, low cost mortgageable solution for key workers and social housing – Bristol, Waterfront Square, 19th October to 4th November 2018
Wallington 24 September 2018: ZEDpods, the company behind a new high-quality prefabricated housing solution developed to address the shortage in affordable housing across the UK and the lack of city centre building spaces, will be exhibiting at the inaugural exhibition of the Bristol Housing Festival in October.
Visitors to the festival, which coincides with the Global Parliament of Mayor’s Annual Summit, can visit a complete ZEDpod starter home which comes fully fitted ready for immediate occupation. The pods offer a high-quality housing solution that can be erected within days and generates more energy than it uses.
Designed by RIBA award winning architect Bill Dunster, the zero-carbon ZEDpod is a prefabricated home with a difference, offering almost instant housing solutions without the land and site issues associated with conventional new build.
It is the only solution to specifically address the lack of city centre building spaces with a design that takes advantage of existing city centre parking locations and hard standings. Units can be assembled simply sitting on the ground or on raised steel decks, with existing parking facilities continuing to operate beneath them.
Unlike many emergency housing options being considered, including temporary containerised solutions, ZEDpods offers a permanent and relocatable urban solution with a range amenity, density and circulation options. ZEDpods are a mortgageable solution with a 10-year new build warranty and a life expectancy identical to any conventional home, providing a long-term appreciating asset.
ZEDpods’ architect Bill Dunster says: “Importantly the ZEDpod concept decouples housing provision from land prices using air rights over car parks. This enables affordable, quality city homes where land is scarce or expensive to be put up quickly, helping keyworkers to live near their work and at the same time maintaining precious parking spaces.”
Dunster added: “We are working with key partners to create a development model that allows Local Authorities and others to create communities of affordable houses at almost zero capital outlay.”
Small but perfectly formed, each ZEDpod is a fully ‘Space Standards’ compliant home, providing a high performance, low energy housing solution, delivered at a fraction of the cost of comparable solutions, with minimal demand on existing services and infrastructure. Features include photovoltaic roof panels, integrated battery storage and heat pumps for domestic hot water, together with super insulated construction and triple glazed windows.
Each unit incorporates its own front door and private balcony area. Inside is a fully fitted kitchen and dining area and a lounging space with TV. Stairs lead to a mezzanine floor with home office desk, double bed, good sized bathroom, wardrobe and storage space.
As a modular solution, it has all the benefits of off-site construction, rapid installation and minimal disruption. At the same time, it is built to higher standards than most conventional housing with exceptional acoustic and environmental performance, fire safe insulation and cladding and no condensation issues.
With a variety of design options covering single or multi-occupancy sites, ZEDpod homes can be tailored for a range of accommodation needs. They are constructed from high quality, fireproof and robust materials, designed to last as long as a traditionally built home. They are ideal for city centre organisations including City Councils and Housing Associations, colleges and universities, hospitals and emergency services as well as other private sector companies with extensive city centre car parking assets.
More than a concept, ZEDpod housing schemes are already in planning, including sites at Dunstable in Bedfordshire and the company expects to build more than 60 units this year. To see how the pods are built click here.
ZEDpods is encouraging local residents to work with the company and their local authorities to help solve their own housing needs, assisting in creating aspirational communities of ZEDpods over public parking lots.