california-startup offers affordable capsule pods in shared living accommodation

INSPIRED IN JAPANESE CAPSULE HOTELS, BUT LARGER

First presented in Japan in 1979, Capsule Hotels provide basic and affordable accommodation for guests who do not require more, or for those who can’t afford larger and more expensive rooms in traditional hotels. The practical idea has been successful and replicated around the world, expanding to Belgium, China, India and Poland among others.

As rent prices soar around the world, a California-based startup has taken this concept and instead of creating hotels, it has applied the concept to shared housing.

THE PROJECT PRESENTS AN ANSWER TO SOARING RENTING PRICES

Aiming to make housing affordable in California, Brownstone Shared Housing has outfitted a three-bedroom, two-bath house with 8 sleeping pods to be able to fit more residents into a single-family home. In California, a house like this usually runs up to $8,000 per month, but with the pods, residents end up paying $800 monthly.

‘Our pods are actually 8 feet tall, so it gives enough room for like bigger people and like also some wiggle room, so they’re not like the Japanese capsules. They’re a bit larger,’ said Christina Lennox, co-founder of Brownstone Shared Housing.

Each pod is equipped with a temperature-controlled fan, its own lighting and power outlets, and a desk. The rest of the house, completely furnished, results in the shared living spaces.

‘How can someone stay for months in a pod? It’s easy when the pod is as spacious and well-designed as ours,’ said James Stallworth, co-founder of Brownstone Share Housing in a blog post. ‘Christina led the way ensuring the house and the pods were as accommodating as possible without sacrificing reasonable space efficiency. We found our product is a God-send for people who need to be in the area for work and school. Our first residents have been medical researchers, Ph.D students at Stanford, poets, culinary interns, and entrepreneurs. All living together in one vibrant house.’