Unit Fusion’s Moveable Modules Could Be the Future Neighborhoods of Hong Kong

A <a href="http://inhabitat.com/unstudios-scotts-tower-is-a-soaring-skyscraper-complete-with-sky-gardens-and-a-green-roof/" target="_blank">twisting spire of individual residences</a> called Unit Fusion has been proposed by collaborative <a href="http://ynotwhy.com/" target="_blank">Y Design Office</a> for the city of Hong Kong. Almost 2,000 customizable modular units would be stacked atop each other, suiting the needs of each inhabiting family, and each would be moveable around the tower. The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/plug-your-hexagonal-house-into-this-vertical-city/" target="_blank">plug-in housing project </a>creates a unique neighborhood, with an emphasis on a renewed sense of community.

In regards to Hong Kong’s rising economy, Y Design Office’s solution is to build <a href="http://inhabitat.com/multilevel-vertical-allotments-turn-decrepit-buildings-into-spectacular-garden-filled-spaces/" target="_blank">vertical communities</a> that benefit each of neighborhood members.

The Unit Fusion vertical tower provides <a href="http://inhabitat.com/ruby-sketchs-compact-shipping-container-home-can-be-run-off-grid-for-two-weeks-sans-electricity/" target="_blank">modular units</a> in sizes simply ranging from XS to XL, like clothing sizes.

Each unit is made up of individual cubic modules with 8.5 foot dimensions on each side.

The apartments range by sliding the cubes together in different configurations, adjusting the sizes of the kitchen, bathroom, balcony and entry ways according to the residents needs.

The modules are not just <a href="http://inhabitat.com/beautiful-french-prefab-house-by-djuric-tardio-is-made-entirely-of-sustainable-finnish-larch/" target="_blank">prefabricated</a>, but also completely mobile. Every five years, a complete unit is moved to another zone on the tower.

This move creates new social bonds, new living experience for the residents, and a unity throughout the entire tower. The residents may experience Victoria Harbor views for one cycle, ocean view the next, and city view later in life. Each unit will move a total of six times throughout its estimated 30 year life cycle.

The units are easily plugged back into the tower network with a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/starbucks-opens-new-reclamation-drive-thru-made-from-recycled-shipping-containers/" target="_blank">plug in/out mechanical system</a>.

Inside, a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/mvrdvs-stunning-flowerbed-hotel-is-a-giant-greenhouse/" target="_blank">central atrium unites the floors</a>, creating a visual link between them while filtering in natural light from above. <a href="http://inhabitat.com/bosco-verticale-in-milan-will-be-the-worlds-first-vertical-forest/" target="_blank">Sky gardens</a> are accessible on each floor, and social/meeting areas are on every five floors. The top floor is an immense sky garden for all to share.

Cafes, retail spaces and entertainment complexes are also scattered throughout the tower to create a neighborhood feel. Although only in the design phase, Unit Fusion could be the solution for integrated vertical living.