THINK INSIDE THE BOX

THIN

KDesign a versatile prefabricated pod for the post-pandemic era.

STUDENT DESIGN COMPETITION

Architects / Engineers / Designers

PRIZEMONEY

1ST £10002ND £250

SubmissionDeadline

19TH

FEBRegistrationDeadline

07TH

FEB

INSID

E

THIN

K

The Brief Since the pandemic, In Ex Design have been evaluating how the working environment is likely to change. With individuals spending considerably more time at home, the need for flexible space has increased.

The initial focus was on designing prefabricated garden pods that could be craned into position from the back of a lorry. These were open-plan multifunctional spaces, with the option to bolt-on bathroom and or kitchen modules. The open-plan space could be configured and fitted out in a number of ways to meet the needs of the user, e.g. a home office, additional accommodation, studio or playroom.

We want you to think bigger!

This task requires you to design a pod capable of linking with clever 'bolt-on' attachments that allow it to be positioned on almost any terrain, without needing to change its design. Think mountains, marshland, rooftops, pontoons or tucked into an urban back garden.

However, experiencing the natural wonders of the world shouldn’t mean being forced to disconnect while staying in a less-than-inspirational living space. Show us how small-scale architecture can be combined with modern technology, to create maximum impact on its users and minimal impact on the environment.

We are looking for quality, pragmatic solutions that demonstrate commercial awareness.

Things to Consider

Modular Design • How does the internal layout of each

module make best use of the limited space available?

• How would the modules and their services be linked together?

• How could existing pods be linked to additional modules on-site to accommodate future expansion? 

• Additional attachments could be fastened to the Pod, allowing it to be positioned in a variety of environments. Without sacrificing the buildings aesthetic, how might these attachments be fastened to the pod and equip it to meet the needs of an environment?

Internal layout• Carefully consider the layout of each

module. How does your proposed layout create harmony between form and function?

Transportation• Whilst a hiab lorry is the prefered means of

transportation, it may be necessary to crane or air-lift the Pod where site access is limited. Your design must consider the stresses and strains that may occur during lifting, ensuring that this can be carried out in a safe and controlled manner.

Critical Dimensions •The proposed design must be capable of

being transported and lifted by a hiab truck and must therefore not exceed the max dimensions during transportation.  

• Size: 12m(L) x 3.5m(W) x 3.25m(H)• Weight: 8 Tons

• With limited space available, getting sizes correct is very important. One of your pages should contain a detailed and dimensioned plan demonstrating that your proposal is viable and will fit within the critical dimensions. 

Accessibility• Whilst some of these pods may be placed

in extreme environments, many will be positioned a little closer to home. Users with reduced mobility must be able to enjoy these pods, so ensure you proposal accommodates full wheelchair access throughout.

The Multifunctional Space• This is the core of the Pod that other

modules can be attached to. How might your design harness this space for a variety of uses without the need for a professional refit?

Services• The Pod must be capable of providing

services like water and electricity to accommodate bathroom and kitchen modules.

• These can be provided by off-grid systems or straight forward ‘plug and play’ connections to existing services… the choice is yours. Whatever you choose, please keep the user experience front and centre.

Manufacture Cost• The budget for the build and fit-out is

£45,000 (not including items such as furniture). Whilst we do not expect detailed costings, it is strongly recommended that proposals that do not significantly exceed this figure.

• If there are particular items that you believe are essential to realise a highly innovative design, please include justification. 

Building processes & material selection• Why have you selected methods and

materials?• How will these processes and materials

impact the environment?

Look to the Future (the next 5 years)Your proposal could look at:• How new and emerging technologies might

be used to improve the Pod. This could be anything from the technology involved in its manufacture to technology that improves the user experience.

• Recent years have seen large shifts in consumer behaviour and values. How might this evolve in the near future and how would your proposal align with this?

INSID

E

THEThings to Consider

Modular Design • How does the internal layout of each

module make best use of the limited space available?

• How would the modules and their services be linked together?

• How could existing pods be linked to additional modules on-site to accommodate future expansion? 

• Additional attachments could be fastened to the Pod, allowing it to be positioned in a variety of environments. Without sacrificing the buildings aesthetic, how might these attachments be fastened to the pod and equip it to meet the needs of an environment?

Internal layout• Carefully consider the layout of each

module. How does your proposed layout create harmony between form and function?

Transportation• Whilst a hiab lorry is the prefered means of

transportation, it may be necessary to crane or air-lift the Pod where site access is limited. Your design must consider the stresses and strains that may occur during lifting, ensuring that this can be carried out in a safe and controlled manner.

Critical Dimensions •The proposed design must be capable of

being transported and lifted by a hiab truck and must therefore not exceed the max dimensions during transportation.  

• Size: 12m(L) x 3.5m(W) x 3.25m(H)• Weight: 8 Tons

• With limited space available, getting sizes correct is very important. One of your pages should contain a detailed and dimensioned plan demonstrating that your proposal is viable and will fit within the critical dimensions. 

Submission Requirements

Please submit all entries via the submission page on the “ podsbyinexdesign.co.uk” You may submit the proposal as a PDF (15mb Max) or by providing a link to your work. 

1 x A3 hero image with a 1 sentence description  • A singular ‘poster image’ that conveys the

essence of your project and includes your project title plus a 1 sentence description. 

• The hero image should aim to bring your concept to life – make sure it is vibrant and engaging.

• Your 1 sentence description is very important, make sure you take some time to craft an impactful message. 

2 x A3 PDF boards outlining your proposal • 2 pages to describe your proposal and

responding to the 5 sections of the judging criteria.

• Number each board in the top right-hand corner, in the order they should be viewed by the judges.

• You may include relevant hyperlinks in your boards however we cannot guarantee this will be viewed by the panel. 

Accessibility• Whilst some of these pods may be placed

in extreme environments, many will be positioned a little closer to home. Users with reduced mobility must be able to enjoy these pods, so ensure you proposal accommodates full wheelchair access throughout.

The Multifunctional Space• This is the core of the Pod that other

modules can be attached to. How might your design harness this space for a variety of uses without the need for a professional refit?

Services• The Pod must be capable of providing

services like water and electricity to accommodate bathroom and kitchen modules.

• These can be provided by off-grid systems or straight forward ‘plug and play’ connections to existing services… the choice is yours. Whatever you choose, please keep the user experience front and centre.

Manufacture Cost• The budget for the build and fit-out is

£45,000 (not including items such as furniture). Whilst we do not expect detailed costings, it is strongly recommended that proposals that do not significantly exceed this figure.

• If there are particular items that you believe are essential to realise a highly innovative design, please include justification. 

Building processes & material selection• Why have you selected methods and

materials?• How will these processes and materials

impact the environment?

Look to the Future (the next 5 years)Your proposal could look at:• How new and emerging technologies might

be used to improve the Pod. This could be anything from the technology involved in its manufacture to technology that improves the user experience.

• Recent years have seen large shifts in consumer behaviour and values. How might this evolve in the near future and how would your proposal align with this?

THE

BOXPrizes

1st Place - £1000 2nd Place - £250

The winners will be selected from a list of 10 finalists. All finalists will be awarded honourable mentions.

Help

If you have questions about the competition requirements or need assistance with your submission contact podscompetition@inexdesign.co.uk and one of our team will do their best to assist you.

Judging Criteria

ViabilityHow your proposal will work in the real world. Carefully consider its, manufacture, transportation/lifting, installation on-site and commercial awareness.

Modularity The function of each module and how they will attach together. 

Accessibility How the needs of those with reduced mobility have been considered throughout the design.

Aesthetics Impress the judges with attractive designs that clients would be proud to own, stay in or have use of.

Creativity and InnovationYour idea must be different from existing designs, demonstrating innovation.

BOX

Terms of Participation • The competition may be entered by

individuals or groups. In the case of group participation, it will be necessary to appoint a group leader, who will be solely responsible and the point of contact for the project. 

• Upon registration, participants accept unconditionally the terms of this competition contained herein. If the terms are not, in whole or in part, respected, the design and the participants may be disqualified. 

• The members of the judging panel, their relatives, the employees of In Ex Design and their relatives may not take part.

• All proposals must be written in English.

• In the unlikely circumstances where non of the submissions are deemed to be of an acceptable quality, In Ex Design reserves the right not to award prizes.

• All winners will be notified by 1st March and will have 28 days to claim their prize and provide bank details. Prize money will be transferred to the specified bank account within 14 days of receiving bank details. If a winner does not claim their prize within 28 days, Pods by In Ex Design reserves the right to re-award the prize.

• By entering your work in this competition, you and your team grant consent and license to Pods by In Ex Design for the use of your name, design and representations of your design in any media, anywhere in the world, without compensation or credit, for promotional and editorial reasons.

• Entrants own the I.P. rights to the original work they submit to Pods by In Ex Design competition. Pods by In Ex Design does not own original I.P. rights or works entered into the competitions. By participating in the competition the entrants licence and grants Pods by In Ex Design an exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, worldwide, irrevocable and sub-licensable right to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish and display such content for any purpose in any media, without compensation, restriction on use, attribution or liability. Participants agree not to assert any moral rights in relation to such use where the moral rights in respect of the content are theirs to assert. Participants warrant that the materials contain no copyright materials, are their original works, have not been copied, in whole or in part, from any third party and they have full authority to grant these rights.

• The deadline for submission is 23:59 19th February 2021. Submissions made after this time will not be considered and all entrants are encouraged to submit their work in good time before the deadline.