The LEAP (Living Ecological Alpine Pod), a Prefab Modular Hut for High Altitudes & Mountain Living.

A new modern bivuoac for mountain living. Designed in Italy by Luca Gentilcore and Stefano Testa, the Alpine huts are modular, highly sustainable and complete with a comfortable interior. The LEAP (an acronym for Living Ecological Alpine Pod) is a technologically sophisticated shelter, prefabricated and assembled offsite, that does not alter the environment in which it is placed.




This type of installation represents an interesting form of support to trekking and mountaineering activities with a much lower environmental impact than the traditional mountain shelters. LEAP solves all the problems of existing types of bivouac. It is entirely built off-site, suitable for transport by helicopter and easily installed on location at high altitude requiring a limited number of operations. It is built using state-of-the-art technology for durability and to withstand all kinds of mechanical and atmospheric stress. It offers comfort beyond any present proven standard.

3D models:




Designed to resist the stresses of extreme altitudes the pod has photovoltaic film incorporated in the outer shell to provide the energy necessary to run the installed equipment:



The Interior Space:


Even if limited, the interior space is furnished for a pleasing and rewarding stay under all aspects. The selected materials guarantee durability, hygiene and safety (class A1 fire-reaction) while providing a warm and welcoming interior of refined design. The proposed solutions are fully customisable both for the functional layout and the finish of the materials used. LEAP can be equipped with technological systems for the production of energy and a unit to measure local conditions (self-diagnosis, weather conditions, web-cam, emergency rescue communication) connected with logistic and rescue headquarters. A sanitary module is available, equipped with a biological toilet that disposes of all sewage without polluting the environment.


above: Entrance unit with thermally isolated inner door, storage/drying rack and rescue equipment compartment.


above: Living/dining unit with pantry and cooker (electric induction hob).


above: Sleeping unit with adjustable bunks for maximum comfort, according to the number of users.

Effective and Flexible


Each module is identified by a specific function. It is possible to organise the best layout for each location in terms of sleeping accommodation, living room space, number of entrances. Different accessories allow the choice of the outside view, including impressive scenic solutions. This kind of layout also gives the opportunity to change the layout of the bivouac over time: increasing the size or swapping around the functional units. In the case of serious damage it is very simple to remove modules to be taken off-site for repairs or replacement.





Respects the Environment
The aesthetic features of LEAP don't try to mimic or resemble any traditional alpine structure. On the contrary, the intention is to effectively declare its unrelated look in the surroundings through the expression of its high-tech features. The ecology of LEAP lies in its transitional nature and total reversibility. At the end of its "life cycle" the pod can be lifted away by helicopter without leaving any permanent trace of its presence in the natural environment. The industrial off-site construction makes use of ecologically certified materials and processes and leaves no production waste.





• All materials used throughout production are rated with a certificate of ecological origin and recyclability.

• The overall cost of LEAP is highly competitive with the traditional solutions thanks to a fully industrialised production and its high-end engineering process.

• The construction technologies are derived from the nautical and aeronautical industry. The remotely controlled diagnosis equipment reduces running costs for higher effectiveness.


Information and images courtesy of Leapfactory

The Archipod. Round and Radical Prefab Office Space.

In the interest of fairness (and interesting blogging), I've featured a fabulous Polyhedron shaped office and garden pod, so now, I have to give some press to this wonderful round one!




The Archipod is a prefabricated red cedar shingle-clad insulated structure that opens with a gullwing door. The spherical unit is complete with a built in ergonomic desk, drawers , porthole windows and skylight and is wired with dimmable lights, an electric heater, outlets, a phone line and even a smoke alarm!




The Archipod has a porthole window which allows the natural light to come in and one can order special custom drawers and hardwood veneered desktops. Carpet is also available by request.

The gullwing front door, which has gas strut assistance, comes with a push handle and deadlock:


The curved built in desk measures just over 10 feet and is available in 30 different colors of Marmoleum® linoleum:


The structure is prefabricated in sections that are sized to allow all the parts to be carried through a house, so it doesn’t matter where you live, we will be able to get the ‘Pod’ into your back garden.

Because of its unique shape and the generous natural light from the roof dome, the ‘Pod’ actually looks bigger on the inside than the outside.






'The Pod' Floor Plan & Specs:

Size: 2.9m diameter internally at the widest point x 2.5m to top of dome.
Walls:
* Curved plywood structural box with encapsulated fibreglass insulation, plasterboard finish internally on high performance foil insulation and vapour barrier to a standard that exceeds current building regulations.
* Fully plastered and decorated after installation, so no visible internal jointing strips.
External cladding:
* Western Red Cedar shingles, blue label grade, on breathable waterproof membrane on battens.
* Cedar shingles are available treated or untreated.
Glazing:
* fatpod section1.0m diameter hinged double skin polycarbonate roof dome to maximise natural light and ventilation.
* Double glazed stainless steel porthole window.
Electrics:
* 8nr Dimmable spotlights
* Concealed background mood lighting, separately switched from spotlights.
* 3nr 13amp Power outlets (these can be extended below the desk using the cable management to provide more outlets.)
* Electric panel heater
* Consumer Unit with MCB’s for power and lighting. (Connection to the house or mains supply is not included – we recommend that an RCD is fiited to the supply end of the incoming SWA cable)
* Data outlet for connection of phone lines
* Smoke alarm
* Fused spur or socket for connection of a security alarm)
Desk:
* An ergonomic semicircular desk, 700mm deep and an effective curved length of 3.1m, finished in a range of ‘Marmoleum® Real’ colours to the customers choice, with 2 cable grommets in the top and cable management below. (see the full range of available Marmoleum® Real and Dual colours, go here)
* Bespoke drawer units and hardwood wood veneered desktops are available by special request.
Floor:
* Suspended timber floor with 70mm fibreglass insulation and high performance quilt.
* Floor covering is generally not included, as this enables customers to choose to suit their own requirements. However, we can provide fitted carpet if required. We recommend that carpet is fitted with underlay to improve comfort and acoustics.
Foundations:
* Concrete pads or steel posts, depending onpon ground conditions.
Door:
* Top hinged gullwing door, with gas strut assistance
* Push handles and deadlock.


For further info
archipod
Director: Chris Sneesby
Registered Office: Unit 4, Handley Park
Elvington Ind Est
York Road, Elvington
North Yorkshire, YO41 4AR

Email: info@archipod.co.uk

More Amazing Arboreal Architecture. Baumraum Tree Houses Part II.

above: Baumraum's King Of Frogs treehouse at night

When it comes to tree houses in which even the most urban dweller would feel at home, no one tops Baumraum of Germany.



Their architecturally stunning treehouses are a subject I covered once before, but it's time to wow with you with four (4) more of their latest incredible arboreal art/architecture.

The dwellings are designed in such a manner that they feel at home amongst the treetops but still have the modern style and chic comfort of a small prefab home. Skylights, curved windows, wood paneling, aluminum cladding and railings, built-ins and decks make these a far cry from the kind of tree houses your dad struggled to put up in the backyard when you were a kid.

The King Of Frogs Treehouse:


In a small private garden in Münster this space hovers above a flat pool, framed by high bamboo stilts. The visitors reach the staircase across 3 natural-stone steps between water-lilies.



The curved cabin in the middle of the pool is covered with a zinc-sheet and lamellas of tatajuba-wood underneath. It rests on eight asymmetrical arranged stilts. Large curved glass at the gables and slim windows at the sides lighten the interior and give a bright and transparent look to the cabin.



Inside the visitors notice the big curved rooftop-window above the pale lying surface. Below the bench on the opposite side drawers give enough storage space. Walls, floor and furniture made of white-glazed ash underline the bright and minimalistic character of the interior.




The terrace, made of tatajuba-wood, rests on four stainless-steel stilts and is big enough to relax comfortable on it. Some steps and a small catwalk lead the visitors to the cabin.






The World of Living Treehouse:


Baumraum constructed this treehouse in the World of Living, a park belonging to the firm Weberhaus in Rheinau-Linx, near the french town Strasbourg. The firm produces detached houses which are on display there.









This ambitious project is one of the attractions of the park and underlines the innovative orientation of Weberhaus. The treehouse was conceived of and produced by young apprentices of Weberhaus in cooperation with other partners.

More information about World of Living, the business hours and other attractions can be found on the website www.world-of-living.de

The Treehouse Djuren:


Located in Germany, the Djuren treehouse construction is divided into two parts: the lower terrace and the treehouse with a small terrace.





As the oaks cannot bear the complete weight of the building, the treehouse is propped up by four slanting supports on a concrete foundation. The trees carry the terraces by steel-ropes and textile-belts without damage to or injuring the tree.



The interior is furnished with a very spacious curved lying area opposite which sits a bench.



Beneath the bench are drawers made of acrylic-glass and bamboo-sticks.



From the lying area there is a fantastic view trough the roof-window into the treetop. The walls are covered white, the interior furniture and the floor are made of oak.




The Riverview Treehouse:


Perhaps this composition is not a real treehouse because it stands on stilts, but its qualities resemble one. It is far above the ground among the trees, and has a wonderful view.



The ensemble is located on a property with a steep slope. From the top of this slope one can access a ramp, which leads to a large terrace. From this position one gets a spectacular view of the city of Freudenburg and the Main river valley.



Wide stairs connect the lower terrace to an upper terrace, which holds a rounded cabin. The exterior materials are characterized by dark stained wood with contrasting stainless steel elements. The curving roof is covered with oxidized zinc.



The interior space gets its charm from the wide openings, which allow light to play against the curved white wall while offering panoramic views of the river valley. The furniture and floor is made from natural oak wood treated with oil. The mattress and bench are soft pads covered in light grey wool felt.



all info and images courtesy of Baumraum

contact info:
Andreas Wenning
dipl.-ing. architekt
roonstr. 49
28203 bremen
germany
tel. ++ 49 (0) 4 21. 70 51 22
a.wenning@baumraum.de

Be sure to see my the first post on the amazing Baumraum Treehouses