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Sunday, August 16, 2015

Ecocapsule




The compact Ecocapsule fits all the home necessities within an egg-shaped space measuring 4.5 meters (14.6 feet) in length, 2.4 meters (7.9 feet) in width, and 2.5 meters in height (8.2 feet). The total usable floor space is eight square meters (86 square feet). Despite its small footprint, the designers say the micro-shelter can comfortably fit two adults. The portable home includes a folding bed, two large operable windows, a working/dining area, shower and flushable toilet, storage space, and a built-in kitchenette with running water.
A built-in 750W wind turbine and a 2.6-square-meter array of high-efficiency solar cells (600W output) power the Ecocapsule. The dual-power system and high-capacity battery (9,744Wh capacity) ensures the shelter will stay operable even during times of low solar or wind activity. The rounded shell is optimized for rainwater collection. Each Ecocapsule weighs 1,500 kilograms and can fit inside a standard shipping container.

Currently, only renderings and diagrams of the Ecocapsule are available; however, Nice Architects plans to unveil a prototype at the Pioneers festival in Vienna on May 28. A seven year project in the making, the Ecocapsule is expected to be available for sale later this year, with the first produced units delivered in the first half of 2016.