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Elevated Living Pods Within Historical Railway Infrastructure

Author:
Eron Kumar
Elevated Living Pods Within Historical Railway Infrastructure
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Suspended living Pods integrated into the historic La Petite Ceinture railway offer a modern communal housing solution that revitalizes urban infrastructure while addressing the needs of short-term residents in Paris.
5 key facts about this project
01
Community-focused design integrates individual Pods around shared amenities.
02
Vertical circulation facilitates easy access to elevated living spaces.
03
Uses the existing structure of the abandoned La Petite Ceinture railway.
04
Promotes sustainable living by optimizing underutilized urban infrastructure.
05
Encourages engagement with historical context while addressing modern housing needs.

The Towers of the Little Belt project is located in Paris, making use of La Petite Ceinture, an old railway that forms a loop around the city. The design aims to integrate housing into this forgotten infrastructure, providing a modern solution to urban living while respecting the historical context. The project uses an aqueduct typology, which allows for creative combinations of public and private spaces.

Concept and Adaptation

This approach focuses on adaptive reuse, taking the existing railway and transforming it into a livable area that connects people with its history. Vertical circulation plays a crucial role in the design, enabling residents and visitors to access elevated communal spaces. This feature encourages interaction while organizing private living areas.

Community-Centric Living

Individual living Pods serve short-term occupants and are arranged around shared facilities like kitchens, dining rooms, and bathrooms. This setup supports communal living and helps balance the needs of tourists with those of local residents. By sharing common areas, occupants can foster a sense of community, making the living experience more enjoyable for everyone.

Integration with Public Space

The design thoughtfully considers how private residences coexist with public space, aiming to breathe new life into the surrounding area. By improving access to La Petite Ceinture, there is an invitation for the public to engage with the railway and its environment. This approach merges the past and the present, offering useful housing options within a cultural framework.

The design features suspended living Pods that connect with the old railway structure, emphasizing the relationship between new housing and historical infrastructure while creating a lively atmosphere.

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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

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