Introduction: HexaPod – All in One Modular Interconnected Living System

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About: High school student in USA!

As I was brainstorming, I was thinking about what I could create. I first thought about what shape I wanted to go with. I wanted a shape that tessellates well, so as to prevent wasted space. My initial thought was a square, but then I thought about common tessellating patterns, and decided on the hexagon. This is because the hexagon wastes the least space and has a lot of sides, so as to connect between pods. I then planned out how I would make my 'pods' buildable and what to make it out of. I decided on wood, because it is cheap, light, and easy to put together. I decided on a piece-based build, so that if a piece is broken here and there, it will still work if you simply discard the broken piece, no need to replace the whole thing. I decided on tarpaulin for the sides and roof and bottom, as it is cheap (relatively) and weather resistant and waterproof. The tarpaulin in the sides, have zips, so that you can move from one to another very easily. I decided on a modular fit, so that it can be used in any flat environment for any purpose. Each module can be customized within the mas producible frame, for any purpose. It is therefore usable in its current wood state for housing the unsheltered and disaster relief. If made out of aluminum, it can even be used as semi-permanent low income housing and scientific research.

Supplies

For designing

  1. Fusion 360/Revit/Any similar software (for designing)
  2. Blender/Any similar software (for finishing touches/rendering)

For building

  1. Wood/Aluminum/Steel (depending on permanence)
  2. Zippers
  3. PVC Tarpaulin/PVC-Coated Polyester Fabric
  4. Industrial glue
  5. Waterproof Wood Sealant
  6. Stakes

Step 1: Research

Ideally, a single structure would be able to withstand all environments, from heat to cold, rain and no rain. I wanted to use materials that could withstand all of these, and further materials that are interchangeable for different scenarios. The ideal environment for this is grass, of any sort, or dirt, so that the stakes can go deep into the ground and prevent wind from blowing the structures away. With specialized stakes/weight, it can even be put on asphalt.

Step 2: Research (part 2)

  1. Estimated Lifespan: (Depends on how it is constructed)
  2. Wood (sealed) + PVC Tarp: 5–8 years
  3. Aluminum + PVC Tarp: 10–15 years
  4. Steel (galvanized) + PVC Tarp: 10–20 years
  5. Wood (sealed) + PVC-Coated Polyester Fabric: 8–10 years
  6. Aluminum + PVC-Coated Polyester Fabric: 10–20 years
  7. Steel (galvanized) + PVC-Coated Polyester Fabric: 15–25 years


  1. Cost Estimation: Depends on Bulk/Supplier/Region (USA Estimates)
  2. Wood (sealed) + PVC Tarp: $300–$600
  3. Aluminum + PVC Tarp: $600–$1,000
  4. Steel (galvanized) + PVC Tarp: $800–$1,200
  5. Wood (sealed) + PVC-Coated Polyester Fabric: $400–$700
  6. Aluminum + PVC-Coated Polyester Fabric: $700–$1,100
  7. Steel (galvanized) + PVC-Coated Polyester Fabric: $900–$1,300


  1. Ease of Assembly/Disassembly
  2. Due to its modular and easy to connect/disconnect nature, it can be assembled by even nonprofessionals (team of 2-3)


  1. Size Specs
  2. Hexagon Type: Regular (equilateral)
  3. Flat-to-Flat Diameter: 4.0 meters
  4. Gives enough internal space for multiple uses and people
  5. Internal Floor Area: ~13.86 m²
  6. Wall Height (Vertical or Sloped): 3.0 meters
  7. Total Height (if pointed/angled roof): ~3.0–3.3 meters
  8. Allows for good ventilation, storage, and solar panel tilt if desired
  9. Entryway/Zipped Wall Opening: ~1.8 m high × 1.2 m wide
  10. Reasoning for Size
  11. Spacious enough for sleeping, working, and shared functions.
  12. Still modular and compact enough for rapid deployment.
  13. 3 m height provides headroom and better insulation layering (hot/cold zones).
  14. Works equally well for:
  15. Individual housing
  16. Shared kitchens
  17. Classrooms
  18. Clinics
  19. Storage
  20. Community hubs

Step 3: Hexagonal Base

I started by firing up Fusion 360 and creating a mathematically ideal hexagon that fits together well.

Step 4: Make Hexagon Hollow

I then made the hexagon hollow, so that people could live inside, and to be as cheap as possible and save resources.

Step 5: Add Holes to Hexagon

I then added holes to the hexagon: 6 for the poles to connect to, and 6 for stakes to connect to.

Step 6: Duplicate Base and Position Over Top

I then duplicated the base and positioned it over top of the previously made base.

Step 7: Create Supporting Rod

I then made the supporting rod, making sure that the size of the cylinders are perfectly made to fit in the hexagonal bases' holes.

Step 8: (1st Mistake) Realizing That the Holes Are in a Bad Place

Here, I realized that I have made the holes to far to the sides, and that it wouldn't fit in with other hexagons if I keep the holes where they are.

Step 9: (Fixed) Recreating the Holes

I redid the bases, so that the holes are closer in, so that the poles don't interfere in the pods connecting to each other.

Step 10: Putting Rod Through Base

I once again put the rod through the base, and was pleased to see that now it worked perfectly.

Step 11: Adding All the Support Rods

I created 5 more rods and made sure that they all fit together.

Step 12: Change Material to Wood

I then changed the material to wood.

Step 13: (2nd Mistake) Realizing Side Rods Are Too Big

I realized that the rods on the sides need to be slightly smaller, so to keep in the modular fit, I changed the size of all the rods, to be slightly smaller, but still large enough to support the bases.

Step 14: Fixing Size of Rods

I then realized that I had made the rods slightly too long, so I then fixed the length of the rods.

Step 15: Completion of the Base

Finally, I finished my base in Fusion 360, with all perfected sizes of rods and bases.

ArchictectureContest

Step 16: Importing Base Into Blender

I then imported the base into blender and began adding the walls and roof.

Step 17: Rendering It in Realistic Environment/walls

I started by adding the 'walls' of tarp. The blue lines represent the zips.

Step 18: Adding a Roof/floor

I then added a roof and floor also made of tarp.

Step 19: First Little House

This is what a house made with this building system looks like. It is completely customizable based on the needs. All modules can be made into anything, and all modules can be connected with one another.

Step 20: Interconnected Houses

Multiple houses can be connected, to share modules with facilities that are very expensive or unessential.

Step 21: Large Housing Complexes

Very large housing complexes can also be made this way, with each house reinforcing all the other houses. This also saves a lot of space, as it has no wasted space.

Step 22: Shared Lawn

Houses can also be assembled like so, to allow residents to have a lawn.

Step 23: Things to Note

In this, you can only move between pods if both residents choose to open them, so privacy is not an issue. Additionally, they can be made with steel/denser aluminum for a more permanent settlement. Solar panels can also be installed for even less of an environmental footprint.

Step 24: (further) Things to Note

This modular design is also viable for temporary medical centers, as well as temporary schools. Entire temporary-(semi) permanent communities can be built on this.

Step 25: Credits

Fusion 360 for having a student plan 🙏🙏🙏

Blender for being free 🙏🙏🙏