MIT innovation: Concrete becomes an electricity storage unit
Bigger, higher, louder seems to be the motto of architecture of the 21st century. But not every construction project has to follow this trend. Green architecture relies on responsible, functional and environmentally sustainable building and is beautiful. The extraordinary living spaces that are created in the process realize the customer's dream of living in nature. You can live your dream for as long as you want in these vacation homes.
Bamboo Hotel in the Undergrowth
"One with the Birds" is a modular prefabrication hotel. It consists of a wooden framework that connects individual sleeping compartments with each other. As a "zero-impact" building (Zero-energy building), it can be integrated perfectly into nature. The design concept was developed by the Beijing architecture studio Penda as a contribution for a Chinese architecture competition. The minimalistic structure was inspired by tepee tents. Bamboo is used as a sustainable main building material, which grows quickly and is available regionally. There are hardly any nails and screws. The grid-like design can be flexibly constructed and deconstructed and also expanded as desired horizontally and vertically. "One with the Birds" is not only designed to be environmentally sensitive and adaptive. The structure in the undergrowth also meets the third evaluation criterion of the competition jury: As a special experiential component, guests experience an immediate bond with nature and feel one with the birds.
Perfectly camouflaged Hideaway
60 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle, the Swedish "Treehotel" awaits guests with tree houses in various forms. The Mirror Cube is in perfect optical harmony with nature: A 64 cubic meter large cube made of mirrored glass. The lightweight aluminum construction hangs in and around a tree trunk. The exterior of the cube reflects the direct surroundings and the sky - and allows the cube to become part of it. The perfectly camouflaged retreat at height is accessible via a suspension bridge. Lightweight plywood above all was used for the interior design. The simplicity of the furnishings makes the 360-degree panoramic view of the Scandinavian wilderness even more impressive. So that flying forest inhabitants do not hurt themselves, the glass is sealed with an ultraviolet layer, which is only visible to birds.
Glass Cube in the Wilderness
People who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Those who are sleeping in a "PurePod" also shouldn't throw stones, even though the laminated safety glass is extremely sturdy. Not only are the walls and ceiling of a "PurePod" made of this glass, but so too is the floor. Instead of a simple 360-degree view, the extraordinary New Zealand vacation homes offer a truly spherical panoramic view. The only non-transparent walls are located in the middle of the room and discreetly hide the bathroom. Residents leave their cars in the parking space about a kilometer away and hike to their nature home on foot on an almost untouched path. Staying in the "PurePod" is just as secluded. Wilderness reigns here. For the necessary minimum creature comforts, solar energy powers LED lighting, keeps the refrigerator at a low temperature and provides hot water. There is a USB charger instead of a power outlet. WiFi is of course nonsense, but cell phone coverage is sometimes available. The operator apologizes for the latter on the website.
The desire for natural living as a vacation experience nourishes a whole branch of tourism. Green architecture perfectly stages the landscape. Together with it, green architecture becomes the main attraction – in extraordinarily „green“ building locations around the world.
