The pod house fulfills a very specific role in reducing the footprint of urban sprawl by a considerable amount.   In less populated areas, the pod house allows the individual to retain more land for beauty, agriculture or other purposes. This is a trend which is sure to stay, with sustainability at the forefront of many a town planners mind. However, some designers go the extra mile with the concept, and this collection of the world’s most awesome modular homes certainly showcases their talent.

The Solar Powered Pod

The MercuryHouseOne is a mobile lounge powered by solar panels and decked out with all the latest and greatest sound equipment and lighting.

The Office POD

Designed for use as an outdoor office, the office pod provides a working environment that is separate to home life. If you find yourself needing to completely shut out the kids, this is the perfect modular solution.

The Walking POD

This modular dwelling system collects energy from its surroundings using solar cells and small windmills. There is a system for collecting rain water and a system for solar heated hot water.

O2 treehouse

The 02 Sustainability Tree House is unusual in both implementation and design. It is fully modular, and hangs from cables rather than being fixed to the tree.

Taiwan House Pod

These crazy shaped homes were perhaps unsurprisingly built in the 1960′s. As well as looking like something from an Austin Powers movie, they were later abandoned after several unfortunate mishaps during construction and typhoons led inhabitants and locals to believe the sites had been cursed – or perhaps they released pink isn’t everyone’s colour.