Future ‘Pod’ Housing: Living Off The Grid

The new Ecocapsule developed by Nice Architects provides a solution to off the grid living.  These new ‘pods’ provide an interesting option for future self-reliant living.  The tiny-house movement has been steadily gaining traction around the world as more and more people ditch their large, expensive-to-operate homes for more affordable, easy-to-maintain spaces. Now, a company out of Bratislava, Slovakia, has taken the idea of a tiny home closer to what just might be its futuristic peak with its Ecocapsules.

An Ecocapsule is a fully portable living space powered by solar and wind energy. It can also capture and filter rainwater and dew.  The capsule measures 14.6 feet (about 4.5 meters) long by 7.9 feet (2.4 meters) wide by 8.2 feet (about 2.5 meters) tall. Into that space the designers have managed to pack a folding bed, a table and two chairs, a small kitchen and a toilet and shower. There are also a few storage spaces and working windows.

The roof of the Ecocapsule is covered with solar cells, and there’s a retractable pole to which a 750W wind turbine is attached. Both power sources charge an on-board battery, so even if you encounter calm or cloudy weather, you’d still be able to have some power. Nice Architects says the energy system should be able to support someone living off the grid for almost a year.

Spherical shape is optimized for the collection of rainwater and dew and the built-in water filters allow you to utilize any water source.

The great thing about these portable housing units is that they can be placed virtually anywhere in almost any environment.

Find out more about Ecocapsules at their Website.