The vision of transportable architecture is to create a self-sustaining entity independent in all respects so much so that it can be incorporated into any situation at any place. The goal was to create a prototype which could be converted into

a) a housing unit

b) a classroom

c) a clinic

d) a community with all of the above, which can be easily transported to different locations.

This thesis was undertaken to create structures which would have a minimum or no impact on the earth’s surface, in light of several increasing disasters due to global warming, war etc. These structures were also envisioned to be incorporated within our everyday life such as in construction sites, slum dwellers replacements etc. Expandibility, floatablility, evolution of a system suitable for varying locations were some of the key ingredients for design generation.The next stage was to understand form generation.

Various forms were tested in terms of

a) ease of duplicity

b) panel sizes - ease of setting up

c) ventilation

d) interior space utilization

e) cluster formation

f) climatic aspects

The hexagon was found to satisfy the requirements for the prototype the best and hence emerged as the basic “pod” unit from which the entire community could be designed. Various fixing details, some inpired from everyday objects like a bottle-opener, foldable stools etc. have been resolved during the course of design. Expansion of the basic pod unit into other prototypes like the classroom unit, the clinic, toilets etc.required an understanding of the joinery and fixing details.