5 Innovative Ways Concrete Pipes Can Be Used in Urban Space

Some architects love unusual solutions. They can apply common objects in a very resourceful way in the least expected place.

Large concrete pipes are commonly used to remove sewage and rainwater. Moreover, they are also used for subway and railway construction works. Usually they are buried in the ground and few people are even aware of their presence. What if we made them more visible and integrated them with the rest of the urban landscape? This idea has already been brought to life in a fantastic way!

OPod Tube House is a project involving micro-houses designed by architects from Hong-Kong. The structure is nothing but concrete pipes with diameter of 2.5 meter. The floor area of 9.29 square meter is enough for a living-space, kitchen and bathroom. A single module can accommodate one or two people. The architects believe that in the future such structures can develop into larger piles to form a kind of a housing community.

The Prahran Hotel in Melborune (Australia) is interesting not only because the pipes decorate the front wall, but they also work as part of interior. This is where the lounge part of the hotel is and this is also where some plants are grown.

In the agricultural province of Tuan Giao (Vietnam) over 300 schools were equipped with washbasins made of concrete pipes, all adapted to children's height.

In Jeroskipu (Cyprus) there is a peculiar structure. Along its northern and southern side there are two walls made of concrete pipes piled one on another. They are to protect the house against the weather impact, excessive sun exposure and … curiosity of the neighbors.

In the Mexican city of Tepoztlán there is the TuboHotel. It is made of concrete pipes. Each of them is a separate room with double bed, glazed door and a curtain.

Which design did you like the most?