Micro, not minimal Train Pod Hotel, Singapore
Compact living is not just a trend in urban areas, it's often a necessity. Entrepreneur Liang Chiang Seah has taken the idea to the extreme in Singapore – by transforming a decommissioned underground carriage into a hotel. Each of the eight mini rooms comes with its own Geberit bathroom.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of living simply and efficiently,“ says Liang Chiang Seah. Inspired by the Netflix series Tiny House Nation, the entrepreneur began thinking about what one truly needs to live comfortably.
“The topic is especially relevant in metropolises like Singapore, where space is incredibly scarce.” Real estate there costs around USD 20,000 per square meter – making it one of the most expensive places in the world. Liang Chiang Seah began experimenting with the concept of micro-living. He bought a decommissioned 12-metre shipping container and converted it into a tiny house.
“The idea of turning a train carriage into a hotel started out as a wild thought,” he says. But the idea stuck with him. So the founder and CEO of Tiny Pod Pte Ltd reached out to Singapore’s Ministry of Transport. To his surprise, they were open to the concept – and left him a retired train car.
Design meets function
What followed was quite an adventure. The 22-metre-long MRT carriage (MRT stands for Mass Rapid Transit) was obviously not designed for overnight stays, let alone for eight rooms with en-suite bathrooms. “There were far more complexities than expected, the project took longer than planned and we had strict building regulations and fire safety standards to comply with.” But despite all the hurdles, the Train Pod Hotel has been in operation since May 2025. Each room measures just 7.5 square meters – including the bathroom.
Yet comfort was not sacrificed: air conditioning, high-speed internet, smart TV, and a private bathroom come standard. Wall-mounted iCon toilets with concealed cisterns create a sleek, modern aesthetic. “It doesn’t just look good, it’s also easy to maintain.” And why Geberit? “The brand is well known here from luxury hotels and stands for premium quality and smart design. We wanted to make a statement: Micro doesn’t mean minimal.”
Liang Chiang Seah is particularly proud that the character of the original train car has been preserved, including the original underground maps. His favorite room? The former driver's cabin. “I love sitting at the controls and imagining I’m driving the train.” Well, in a way, he is.
Facts
Geberit Know-how
Geberit products used in the project
- Geberit iCon wall-hung WCs
- Geberit Sigma01 actuator plates
- Geberit Sigma concealed cistern
- Geberit HDPE pipes for drainage system
