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

A Different Kind of California Roll. You Can Live In This One, A Cool Modern Prefab.

A pre-fabricated house designed for the desert by Christopher Daniel of Violent Volumes - The California Roll House, 2011.



The following text was written by the designer of the structure and is reprinted here:
At times, the simplest form with least manipulation from its original form can offer visual amenities and adapted solution to the context. California Roll prefabricated house takes this methodology to create its morphological adaptation to its environment : desert. Homogeneous exterior material which provides high grade of energy efficiency and reflects heat from the sun covers the entire surface except for glass panels which is electronically controlled to change its transparency.




Modularization of every structure members and finish materials are maximized to provide mobility with rapid assembly and disassembly on site.



To sustain its challenging structural stand, carbon fibre truss frame under neath the exterior material holds the entire architecture. Hydraulic powered automatic doors and security system is used for main entrance door which allows less spaces to operate the door mechanism. California Roll house features these latest technologies applied to architecture which breaks the boundary of product or vehicle design and architectural design which brings more mobility to living spaces.



Plain surface on the ground extended from exterior surface provides paved area for out door activities which requires flat and artificial surface different from desert sand surface. As well as surface on the ground, inside of exterior shell is covered with fibre reinforced plastic panels.




Modularized skylights and windows along the exterior surface can be placed at desired location to light its interior space to meet resident’s requirement from his own usage of the space.




Passive and subtle control of privacy of bedroom area is provided by curtain divider and bookshelf with translucent midpart.



These parts allows the residents to have sense of privacy by delicate visual hints over as well as providing lights through.



Overall, the privacy in California Roll is controlled rather passively with resident’s awareness than tight blocking of spaces in-between.




Main Entrance/ Front Door
Since the main entrance is on the sloped wall, the door mechanism should be designed in unconventional way. Adopting ideas from automotive design industry, hydraulic powered automatic door controlled by number lock panel is installed on the sloped wall as main entrance to minimize the space required for operation to avoid contact with user while in operation. When the door is fully open, the clearance height is up to 2 meters.




The door opens into two pieces, the upper piece lifts up over head, and the lower piece unfolds onto the floor for visitors to step on. When the door is completely closed, the material on the outside of door continues with the material of the exterior surface to achieve conformity and hide the entrance.

Automatic main door mechanism diagram:



Architectural plans:






Architect/ Designer Christopher Daniel:

images and info courtesy of Christopher Daniel and Violent Volumes

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