By Joe Jeffrey
Will futuristic Ecocapsule take the caravan industry by storm?
We all know the benefits that getting away in our leisure vehicle brings us and, to be truthful, nothing quite beats the experience of remaining off the grid for a few days, being at one with our new-found surroundings and really experiencing what it’s like to stay somewhere different other than our rather more stationary homes. Now, one design company seems to have taken the above idea and turned it on its head, with the introduction of the Ecocapsule.
Slovakian design firm, Nice Architects, has built the egg-shaped Ecocapsule to allow those who wish to live off-grid to do so in perfect style and, despite looking like something more akin to a dinosaur egg from the Jurassic era, the capsule’s modern design and amenities are certainly somewhat more futuristic than previous pod options we’ve seen.
The completely self-sustaining design, featuring its own solar panel system and high-capacity battery, tripled with a 750-watt wind turbine, is said to allow for up to a year’s worth of energy, whilst the spherical, egg-shaped design has been purposefully planned in order to allow for the collection of rainwater and dew in order to travel through water filters to enable fresh drinking water on tap.
Able to be towed by a standard vehicle, but light enough to be ‘towed by an animal’ according to Nice Architects, the options for where to pitch up seem somewhat endless and, despite lacking in size when compared to other caravans (it’s 4.5 metres long and 2.4 metres wide), it’s certainly not lacking in essentials, with the two-berther featuring a built-in kitchenette with running water, flushing toilet, hot shower, as well as comfortable bed for when it’s time to tuck in for the night.
The Ecocapsule hasn’t just been created for those looking for a leisurely escape though, and it has also been designed to provide shelter in disaster areas, as well as doubling as a scientific research station in regions which are more difficult to reach by way of conventional methods.
Pre-orders for the Ecocapsule will be made available towards the end of the year and a price is yet to be released, but it is thought the cost could run into tens of thousands of pounds.
What do you think of the Ecocapsule? Is this something you might want to stay in, or would you think you’ve landed a bunch of extra-terrestrial life forms as neighbours if it pitched up next to you? For more images of both exterior and interior, click here and let us know what you think.
