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The Tiny House movement has been spreading across the world in recent years. People have been drawn to the ‘less is more’ concept, and are downsizing their homes to embrace the philosophy and freedom a smaller space provides. A South African based company are creating their own version. For those wanting to lead a more simple and environmentally-friendly lifestyle, the PanGoPod might just work for you.

PanGoPods are off-grid eco-friendly mobile homes larger than caravans. PanGoPods were created to enable greater freedom of movement. The homes are able to be placed anywhere, and can be moved at any time.

According to the company’s website, a PanGoPod provides users a reduced environmental footprint, freedom of movement, a safe, secure and weatherproof shelter and a healthy, beautiful and nurturing space.

PanGoPods are built by the Biodiversity and Development Institute (BDI), a non-profit company designed to foster research and community action in biodiversity conservation and social development.

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Late afternoon is our favourite time at the PanGoPod here @fynbosestate. @the.bdi

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These tiny homes are named after the ground pangolin (Smutsia temminckii), an animal that can roll up into a defensive ball, protected by keratin scales. These land creatures are highly mobile, and able to go anywhere, thus the name.

The Pangopods come in a 16 m2 ground size and two mezzanine lofts, each of just over 4 m2, for a total area of nearly 25 m2. Each one comes equipped with two single mattresses or a king-size mattress. A separate bathroom provides privacy for a shower, a composting toilet, a hand basin, a wardrobe, and a washing machine. The open-plan ground floor contains a fully-functional kitchen, a sleeper couch, and a dining nook.

PanGoPods run off of solar power, using water from rainwater harvesting tanks, and a water-free composting loo.

“We believe that to grow our nation in a sustainable way, while caring for our people and preserving our environment, we need to approach housing in new ways,” writes the company on their website. “We need to integrate modern living into the surrounding environment in ways that are sensitive to human well-being, long-term sustainability, and ecological resilience. Part of this approach is to develop eco-friendly off-grid mobile homes.”

For more information, visit: thebdi.org/pod/ 

Picture: Biodiversity and Development Institute

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