New Zealanders are picking up pencils, tools and instruments to create a pop-up transitional urban village that brings together small innovative buildings, housing, shops, music rooms and cafes. The SHAC Micro Urban Village is in the earthquake damaged city of Christchurch, New Zealand.

Recycled building materials from the recent earthquake are combined with micro-solar power and innovative construction techniques pioneered by members of the Maker movement. The tiny buildings tell of a creative and collaborative future with people who are living well, with purpose, and with radically less reliance on energy and resources.

Current structures include several solar powered offices, and a pallet pavilion that hosts creative events and a cafe. Planned buildings include an office for the Volunteer Foundation and the World’s Smallest Music Festival, a Maker Crate, and micro-housing.

The project is supported by volunteers and professionals from SHAC – The Sustainable Habitat Challenge, Rekindle, Gapfiller, The Volunteer Foundation, Greening the Rubble, Festival of Transitional Architecture {FESTA}, Renew Brighton, Life in Vacant Spaces (LiVS) and many others.

Together we are prototyping possibilities for working, playing, and living well with radically less resource requirements.