Squatters become upwardly mobile and few catch on. Found this at Cool Hunting, this super cool housing solution is called Loftcube and it comes from Werner Aisslinger in Germany. Designed to be transported by helicopter and dropped down wherever you want it, the Loftcube is a "temporary minimilistic domicile" for urban "nomads" in dense urban areas who wish sunlight and 360 degree views...
Purposefully intended to turn rooftops into oases, it can be yours for $65,168 (in Europe of course, delivery here would add on a bit). For instant apartment therapy just visit the 
I need a mother in law suite on my 3/4 acres. This would be awesome.
nobody's gonna drop this down on anything but their own property. why so gimmicky, it's a cool cube w/ out pretending it's something it can't ever be. for rich nomads. so stupid.
view snot's profile
I would love this, even if it was on my own property (or maybe it would be perfect for housing children who've grown up but have no money to leave the house?)... The US price is $111K - $180K. Oh, well.. forget about the "no money" part. Maybe one would have to be rich, and just park it on one's friend's property. Wonder if it can withstand severe winds? I wouldn't want to put it at the top of the really tall buildings near Riverside drive.
view Sea's profile
I'd really like to see AT take more of Do-It-Yourself spin on these solutions. Many of these designer jobs aren't available in the US or are only available at >$1,000 per per sq ft basis.
What we need is to open-source these ideas so they mature faster. Sure, some people won't want to DIY (maybe most), but I'd argue that most of AT's readers do have that bent.
I'd like to see some plans for doing something like this on a Brooklyn roofop.
view chumley's profile
How would the zoning be for something like this in Brooklyn??? Hello Red Hook views...
view betsbillabong's profile
I really, really love this, but where's the toilet? Something about this reminds me of the Pod Hotel where I had the pleasure of staying recently.
view charlenemcbride's profile
I checked out the WeeHouse site recently but they too added up quickly in price. I was thinking how wonderful a small simple 1 roomer would be located in the woods somewhere...obviously a fantasy. :)
view Alice's profile
I think this Loft Cube is an interesting idea, but the space is impractical. Like Charlenemcbride asked, where's the toilet? Loose stones for a bathroom floor do not make for great housekeeping. And the last time I read about it, Sikorsky/Erickson skycrane service to transport the thing would likely cost as much or more than the unit itself.
The most practical contemporary home I've seen like this so far is the LV Home series from Rocio Romero. (www.rocioromero.com).
view John H's profile
I agree. The Rocio Romero are much more practical for outside the city.
These "kids" on style.com were going on and on about The Loft Cube and how it could finally be affordable to live in Manhattan until I pointed out that they would have to either own the apartment or townhouse below the cube or know someone very, very nice who would let you live on their roof free of charge (not to mention landlord permission, permits and making certain the structure can hold the cube.)
However, when I do get roof space, I will consider an addition, but not the Loft Cube.
view jeffnyc's profile
readymade magazine sells plans ($35), for a 'build your own modular dwelling' that is a one room get away with modernist good looks. Add a self composting toilet, collect rainwater for a version of a shower and that could work for a vacation spot in sullivan county, if not an 86th street rooftop.
http://readymademag.com/store/#byomd
view orangecube's profile