ECOCAPSULE IS A TINY, TRANSPORTABLE SHELTER FOR OFF-THE-GRID LIVING

A tiny, low-energy capsule that can go anywhere in the world

For those with a crushing need to escape from civilization, this might be the most interesting design to be presented this year. Slovakian firm Nice Architects has designed the Ecocapsule, an egg-shaped shelter that can function off-the-grid for prolonged periods of time. The Ecocapsule may look more like a stranded UFO than a home, but it is an impressively compact, portable home that can house up to two adults without compromising on basic human comforts.

The Ecocapsule is a mere 2.55 meters high, 4.45 meters long and 2.25 meters wide, so the layout needed to be ultra-efficient. And it is. The tiny interior includes a sleeping space, a desk/table, a built-in kitchenette (with running water!), a flushing toilet and even a hot shower. No space is wasted. Even the capsule’s rounded ends are used as an internally accessible storage space on one end and an externally accessible storage space on the other.

With regards to power, the Ecocapsule is equipped with a 750W wind turbine and 2.6 square meters of solar cells. The wind turbine is mounted on a retractable poll, so it does not interfere with the capsule’s aerodynamic properties during transportation. The dual power system stocks energy in a high-capacity battery to ensure sufficient power even when weather conditions are not optimal. According to the team at Nice Architects, the system provides an estimated self-sufficiency of almost one year.

Water is stored in a tank beneath the capsule’s floor. The Ecocapsule’s spherical shape is optimized to catch rainwater runoff and condensation, both of which pass through built-in water filters before being funneled below. The water filters can also be used to remove bacteria from on-site water sources, however it is not entirely clear is how the pod handles greywater.

Since the Ecocapsule is so small, it can easily be transported in a standard shipping container or even towed behind a vehicle. In fact, the designers are currently working on a chassis for the pod that will be available in 2016. Because of its mobility, the design can go almost anywhere in the world. The designers even foresee the Ecocapsule being used as temporary housing in emergency situations, although the price has yet to be announced. A functional prototype will be presented at the Vienna Pioneers Festival, which begins tomorrow, and be available for pre-order in the last quarter of 2015.