As energy and housing costs rise around the country, more and more people are opting for tiny houses and seeking ways to make their homes energy efficient, or even self-sufficient.
Small, off-grid pods allow residents to do both — they take up very little space, can often be easily moved or assembled, and can harvest their own water and power. Take a look at five futuristic dwellings to inspire your future home design.
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The Ecocapsule is solar- and wind-powered.
Its roof is equipped with solar cells and a wind turbine, and the pod also has a rechargeable battery that can last at least four days should the renewable sources fail. The egg-like shape is designed to minimize heat loss.
The pod can collect water that lands on its surface, and filter it in a built-in tank.
Inside, the pod can fit a bed, a working and dining space, a toilet, a shower and a kitchenette. It has two openable windows and comes with a data network connection. To transport the pod, just roll it on its four extendable wheels.
50 limited-edition capsules are currently available at $87,777 each. A second generation of Ecocapsule is expected to be sold in 2017, and can be preordered on Ecocapsule's website.
Well-known architect Renzo Piano designed the Diogene as a mini-house prototype for German furniture company Vitra.
Like the Ecocapsule, the Diogene is completely self-sufficient — it collects, filters and reuses water, and supplies its own power via solar panels.
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