Ecocapsule: This Tiny & Luxurious Egg-Shaped Portable House Runs on Clean Energy

Have you ever dreamt of living in a house that could be taken anywhere? Well, your dream could come true with Ecocapsule! Developed by Nice Architects from Bratislava in Slovakia in 2015, it is an amazing, tiny portable house that offers a unique and luxurious dwelling experience. 

In 2008, it was designed for a design and architecture competition. Though it did not win, it got selected as one of the most interesting designs in the competition organized by inhabitat.com and also received positive feedback and encouragement to build the unit. In 2014, the first Ecocapsule project reached completion. It was publicly unveiled at Vienna's Pioneers Festival after six years of development and shortlisted at the Lexus Design Award in the year 2015.

With a lovely aerodynamic and eco-friendly design, its demand is booming across the world. This sleek and mobile egg-shaped capsule looks like a spaceship and can be airlifted or towed on a trailer, which is equipped with antennae and a futuristic cell layer. It is designed in an egg shape to minimize the surface area to volume ratio and runs on renewable energy, both solar and wind.  

Let us know what the interior of the Ecocapsule is made of and how it leaves minimal impact on the environment. 

The Ecocapsule’s Interior is “Futuristic But Warm”

Source = Ecocapsule.sk

The interior with the 88.3 square feet space and 67.8 square feet usable floor space, Ecocapsule is made of steel, two layers of fiberglass having polyurethane foam in between. It is 14.6 feet long, 7.4 feet wide, and 8.4 feet tall.

It has access to abundant natural light that comes through a couple of opening windows and is predominantly white with bloodwood accents. You can also access the storage space from the outer surface, and a single lifting door provides access to this tiny residence.

Designed to accommodate two people, it encompasses a small seating area, a workplace, sleeping quarters for two with a folding bed (6.6 foot by 5.2 foot), a shower area, a dry separating toilet, customizable cabinets, a stovetop & other components in the kitchen, kitchenette offering running water, storage space with overbed cupboards & sporting or research equipment, working windows, and a fold-out table. 

Two hooks on the roof allow the tiny home to be lifted by heavy-duty movers like cranes or helicopters. The electrical power amenities include LED light strips and two power sockets. It comes with various smart home accessories and AC units. 

As it is portable and runs on off-grid power, washing machines and microwaves are not included. So those who need a washing machine, it is suggested that the dweller buys a manual, crank-powered machine without requiring electricity.    

According to the design studio named Nice Architects, the Ecocapsule is a "low-energy house packed into a compact form." Devin Coldeway describes it as “futuristic but warm.” 

How Does Ecocapsule Work & Reduces Environmental Impact?

Source = Arch2o

This portable, energy-efficient pod utilizes clean energy: wind, solar, and rainwater to function. It is designed to generate more energy than it consumes when the external temperature is between 4 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. 

The Ecocapsule has a central computer that monitors the water and electricity levels and can be controlled through a mobile application. This app takes care of all the key aspects of Ecocapsule. The Nice Architects state that it lets its occupants live off the grid for many weeks and even months. 

Wind Turbine

It is primarily powered by a built-in 750W wind turbine of 13.5 feet, which is low-noise and can generate electricity all through the day and night. The telescopic pole, on which the turbine is located, can be folded for smooth movement. 

Solar Cell Array

The secondary source of power is a high-efficiency, 880W solar cell array. Ecocapsule is also equipped with a 9744 Watt-hour battery that can store four days’ electric charge. In the case of a charged battery, it diverts some energy that the solar energy captured to supplement its water heater. Solar and wind power thus increase battery life. 

Rainwater Collection

The exclusive and uniquely shaped Ecocapsule not only reduces heat loss but also gives the most crucial thing for life- water. It retains heat and collects rainwater. It is especially important for off-grid customers as the water system has its filtration system and allows it to be filled with rainwater and water from lakes and streams.  

The Ecocapsule harnesses rainwater with its 96 L reservoir located beneath the dwelling’s floor. A pre-filtration system and two UV LED lamps help in cleaning the water. The filters installed on the faucets offer drinking water.

The other energy conservation features are its high-efficiency climate control system and a heat exchanger that uses exhaust air to warm the fresh incoming air.

Concluding Thoughts 

Besides being a mobile dwelling, its other potential applications are disaster-relief shelter, a scientific research center, and “remote Airbnb.” It was designed for a medium-term living for two people.   

In 2018, it was presented on the roof of the UNIQ building located in the center of Bratislava with plans to market it to buyers in the US, Japan, Australia, and the EU. The high-income from NY City and Silicon Valley showed interest in the capsule home. 

This self-sustainable micro-home Ecocapsule is worth nearly 90,000 dollars and starts from $89,632. So do you think you can shell out your pocket and buy an Ecocapsule for a comfort living?