TYPES OF CAPSULE HOUSING UNITS

Over the past decades, capsule housing has emerged as a widely adopted innovative form of residential architecture, capable of rapidly responding to contemporary urban, social, and environmental challenges. Its development serves as a response to the demand for compact, mobile, affordable, and technologically adaptive living spaces in conditions of high population density, limited resources, or emergency situations.

This article presents a systematic analysis of capsule housing, classifying units based on two key criteria: field of application (tourism, humanitarian aid, individual housing) and mode of operation (temporary, seasonal, long-term). The study identifies and characterizes the main types of capsules—Japanese, European, and Box-type—taking into account their structural, functional, and technological distinctions.

The research explores specific planning solutions, materials, and engineering equipment that define the optimal conditions for capsule application across various social and climatic contexts, with a particular focus on the post-war environment in Ukraine. The potential for adapting capsule housing systems to accommodate internally displaced persons (IDPs) and as an alternative to traditional housing in high-density urban areas is analyzed.

The paper emphasizes the importance of a typological approach in designing capsule housing to enhance functionality, comfort, and environmental sustainability. The proposed classification aims to facilitate standardization and the integration of these new housing models into state and social programs