Search

SCAD Explores Micro-Housing & the Future of Urban Living

02.03.15 | By
SCAD Explores Micro-Housing & the Future of Urban Living

In 2014, Savannah College of Art and Design (my alma mater!) unveiled a project that explored micro-housing and the future of urban living. Taking over a parking structure in midtown, Atlanta, Georgia, the teams created a series of fully functioning, fully furnished, 135-square-foot units that fit perfectly within a standard parking space. The project, SCADpad, brought together 75 current students, 37 alumni, and 12 SCAD professors from 12 academic degree programs to make it all happen. Take a look at the magic they created…

SCADpad-Urban-Living-Micro-Housing-10

The team discovered that there are 105 million parking spaces in the U.S., meaning five spaces for every car, clearly tapping into a plentiful resource. With the population growing at such a rapid rate, urban density is, and has been, an issue that needs to be addressed. Figuring out solutions is key and the SCADpad team sought to create a sustainable, urban community centered around micro-housing and the result is three completed units that SCAD students began living in last April.

SCADpad-Urban-Living-Micro-Housing-3

The three units were inspired by SCAD locations around the world – Asia, Europe, and North America. They showcase custom art installations from alumni on both the interior and exterior of each unit.

SCADpad-Urban-Living-Micro-Housing-4

SCADpad Europe was inspired by the medieval landscape and history of SCAD Lacoste. The exterior was designed by SCAD fibers alumna Trish Andersen.

SCADpad-Urban-Living-Micro-Housing-5

SCADpad-Urban-Living-Micro-Housing-8a-europe

SCADpad-Urban-Living-Micro-Housing-8b

SCADpad-Urban-Living-Micro-Housing-12-n-america

SCADpad North America celebrates SCAD’s Savannah and Atlanta locations and reflects an Americana vibe with a spirit of self-determination. Realized by SCAD photography alumnus, Marcus Kenney.

SCADpad-Urban-Living-Micro-Housing-6

SCADpad-Urban-Living-Micro-Housing-13-n-america

SCADpad-Urban-Living-Micro-Housing-6a

SCADpad-Urban-Living-Micro-Housing-7

SCADpad-Urban-Living-Micro-Housing-2

SCADpad Asia reflects their Hong Kong location featuring the work of painting alumnus Will Penny

SCADpad-Urban-Living-Micro-Housing-7a-asia

SCADpad-Urban-Living-Micro-Housing-8-asia

SCADpad-Urban-Living-Micro-Housing-9

SCADpad-Urban-Living-Micro-Housing-11

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.