Skip to main content

MIT’s CityHome makes 200 square feet feel like a mansion

mits cityhome packs everything need 200 square feet mit
Image used with permission by copyright holder

As more and more people choose to live in densely-populated urban areas, cities are becoming more and more crowded and living spaces are becoming ever more compact. As such, forward-thinking designers are beginning to embrace the trend and develop so-called “micro-dwellings” that aim to maximize space and efficiency. We’ve seen some pretty impressive small space designs in the past (check out TreeHugger.com founder Graham Hill’s awesome 400-square-foot pad), but this one –MIT’s CityHome– takes things to a completely new level.

Contrary to what the name might suggest, CityHome isn’t actually a living space itself. It’s more like a large, consolidated chunk of home essentials that allows you to maximize usable space in a small studio. Think of it like a murphy bed on steroids — it’s basically a closet-sized mechanical box that fits into an apartment and functions as a bed, work space, cityhomedining room table (with seating for six), a cooking range, closet, and multipurpose storage space. Additionally, the entire module is built on low-friction rollers, so it can easily be moved a few feet in any direction to extend or compress a given room.

Furthermore, as you’d expect from something designed by MIT students, CityHome is also motorized and can be controlled using Minority Report style gestures. Generally speaking, most micro apartments rely on hinges, rollers, and other fixtures that you expand or collapse manually, but CityHome is different. Want to pull out the bed? Just point your palm at the bed section and make a pulling motion backward. Need to adjust the lights? Simply change the position of your hand to adjust color temperature and brightness. With just a few motions, you can transform your dining room into dancehall, or turn your dancehall into an office.

Since CityHome is currently just a prototype, there’s no word on when it’ll be available to consumers, or how big the price tag will be if/when that day comes. That being said, however, the project’s lead researcher Kent Larson has clearly expressed that he intends to bring it to market through either a startup or a commercial sponsor. We’ll keep you posted on that front, but for the time being you can find out more here.

Editors' Recommendations

Drew Prindle
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Drew Prindle is an award-winning writer, editor, and storyteller who currently serves as Senior Features Editor for Digital…
This EcoFlow portable power station with solar panel is $270 off
An EcoFlow River 2 portable power station sits on a camp table.

There’s some impressive savings to pounce on if you’re in the market for some smart home deals. Some backup power is a good thing to keep around the house, and today it’s a good way to save as well. The EcoFlow River 2 portable power station is seeing a discount at Best Buy, and it’s bundled with a foldable 110-watt solar panel. Together these are marked down to $305, while they would regularly cost $588. This makes for a savings of $283 and free shipping is included.

Why you should buy the EcoFlow River 2 portable power station
Portable power stations like the Jackery Explorer 1000 and the Bluetti AC180 are the heavy hitters when it comes to name recognition, but the EcoFlow River 2 portable power station knows a thing or two about chipping in around the house. It beats the industry standard for charging speeds, as it’s able to reach a full charge in only 60 minutes. That’s five times faster than other portable power stations, and it’s a huge improvement over previous EcoFlow models. This makes the River 2 an excellent power station if you live in areas that deal with periodic power outages due to weather, or if you’d like some extra power out in the yard.

Read more
How to cancel your Arlo subscription
The Arlo Essential 2nd Gen mounted outside.

Arlo is one of the most popular smart home security brands, offering a variety of cameras and sensors to keep your property safe. But if you're ready to check out other systems (such as Ring or Wyze), you'll want to cancel your Arlo subscription. Unfortunately, this can't be done using the smartphone app – instead, you'll need to head online to the official Arlo website.

Need help with the process? Here's a step-by-step walkthrough on how to cancel your Arlo subscription.

Read more
The best smart lamps of 2023
Philips hue white ambiance lamp installed on coffee table.

Looking for an innovative way to light up your home office, living room, or bedroom? Consider adding a smart lamp to your shopping list. While these products will illuminate a dark space just like a traditional lamp, they're packed with additional features – such as the option to set timers, change colors, or connect to the rest of your smart home.

The best smart lamps come from trusted brands like Philips, Govee, and Amazon, though you'll also find lesser-known companies such as Moonside and Hatch churning out incredible products. If you need help searching for the right one, here's a look at the best smart lamps for all types of rooms.

Read more