Plugin House plugs into Harvard and Boston City Hall

The Plugin House is an easily assembled house made from prefabricated parts. It is a design proposition, suggesting new building technology that considers financial, social and environmental concerns. The Plugin House demonstrates the possibilities of smaller, more sustainable living for contemporary urban landscapes.

There is a movement among local and municipal governments to introduce policy to encourage the construction of small homes in in-fill areas or even backyards, efforts meant to address the housing crisis faced by many cities. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) provide an alternative to the outward expansion of cities. Through in-fill, new housing in existing communities take advantage of infrastructure, public services and community networks that are already in place. While these policies are gaining momentum, the cost of building ADUs remains beyond the reach of most people. The Plugin House can cut costs in half, making ADUs an affordable housing option.

The Plugin House was brought to Harvard University to showcase its innovative features. Sponsored by Harvard’s Office of the Arts and the Harvard Loeb Fellowship at the Graduate School of Design, students—new to design and construction—built the Plugin House in the heart of Harvard Yard in six hours using a single tool.

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