So it’s no surprise to find all sorts of creations providing shade and solar power more efficiently through the study of sunflowers. The “Sunflower” umbrella by Shadecraft is just the latest object to follow the sun as it arcs across the sky each day. Extending the “internet of things” smart home system to the outdoors, this umbrella does a lot more than you might imagine. For starters, the shade it provides moves to keep you cool all day long, so you’ll never have to get up and move yourself.

In addition to tracking the sun, the Sunflower harvests solar energy via photovoltaic panels and stores it to power itself. It fully charges within two hours, and thanks to its incredible battery capacity, it can function for 72 hours without sunlight. The Sunflower connects to Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular data to offer users a strong internet connection outdoors.

You can use the Sunflower as a charging hub for your devices, and it’s got built-in lighting and speakers, too. That’s definitely a bonus for those of us who tend to lug a lot of stuff outside when we want to spend some time reading and relaxing. An integrated 360-degree high-definition camera captures security footage in the form of video and still images, so you can connect it to indoor security systems and keep an eye on your yard when no one’s home.

An accompanying app allows you to control all of the Sunflower’s functions right from your smartphone, or you can use voice control to deliver verbal commands. Talk directly to the Sunflower to control its movement, lighting, speakers, and other features. You can even use it to video chat with friends or livestream your activity. To top it all off, the Sunflower also functions as a weather station. Embedded sensors and motion detectors allow it to monitor weather conditions like humidity, wind, and even air pollution levels, sending alerts to your phone to keep you updated.

“Through the SmartShade app and integrated Wi-Fi, Cellular, or Bluetooth connectivity, you can play your iTunes library or jump to your favorite music app and stream directly through your SUNFLOWER,” explains Shadecraft. “Audio books, podcasts, live events, all at the touch of a button or via simple voice commands. SmartShade also controls SUNFLOWER’s lighting system. Four powerful LEDs with intensity settings you can control and schedule for optimum outdoor experiences.”

“With SmartShade, you can access insights into your outdoor world, and set up notifications & alerts — so you’ll know when to seek shade or ‘step outside’ and experience a perfect day.”

Winner of the IDA Gold Award 2017 and nominee of the Twice VIP Awards in outdoor automated devices, the Shadecraft Sunflower made its public debut at CES 2017. The company has already raised $2 million from private investors to fund production, and the Sunflower is set to be available for pre-order this fall for around $2,700, with orders expected to start shipping sometime next year.

The post Shadecraft Sunflower: High-Tech Umbrella Serves as an Outdoor Smart Home Hub first appeared on Dornob.

“The Original Blanket with Sleeves,” the Snuggie, has become a bit of a cult classic despite how ridiculous people look while wearing it. Because, let’s face it, everybody likes to be comfortable. A new product called the V-Blanket is not exactly more fashionable than the Snuggie, but it does offer several useful functions that make it a sort of Snuggie for outdoor adventures.

Sure, you can curl up with a V-Blanket on the couch, but where it really comes in handy is at sports games, on road trips, or while camping. It’s a waterproof heated blanket and cape in one, and you can use it in a variety of ways. Sit on it like an ordinary waterproof outdoor picnic blanket, sit under it for warmth, or wear it like sweater.

The blanket cape’s Kickstarter page reads: “During the winter, the weather changes fast and becomes cold. We know all the people need something easy to take with them that’s convenient to use. So, we came up with the idea of the heated throw and called it V-Blanket. The product can keep up a human’s body temperature but also generate heat to help people get warm.”

The V-Blanket is a portable battery-powered heated blanket, with heating material woven in with ultra-fine carbon fibers so the wiring is imperceptible to the wearer, distributing heating evenly. This helps it stay flexible, too, so it doesn’t feel stiff when you’re wearing it or have wires that are uncomfortable to sit on. Turn on any of its three adjustable heating zones with the press of a button, and enjoy a toasty 85-degree blanket in just 30 seconds.

The interior is lined with cotton twill to trap the heat, and the exterior is 100-percent waterproof, so you can rely on it even in rain or snow. A built-in USB port allows you to keep your devices charged, and there are even two LED lights built into the chest and back of the cape, either for visibility while cycling or walking after dark, or for reading and completing tasks without needing a separate flashlight.

The V-Blanket’s creators add: “Unlike traditional heated blankets, which are notorious for bulky components and tangling cords, V-Blanket works at a non-hazardous 5V low voltage that can be powered by any type of USB external battery pack. It also has a built-in female USB-A connector to charge your mobile device while keeping you warm and cozy. It is ideal for outdoor sporting events, untethered use on the couch, or chilly airplane cabins.”

“V-Blanket is incredibly lightweight and packable. It measures 54.5 x 38.5 inches when laid flat and weighs just 1.5 pounds. It compresses into a stuffed pack that measures 14.8 x 7.9 inches. With V-Blanket, you are always prepared for unexpected weather on vacations and holidays. V-Blanket is both machine and hand-washable, so you can just throw it in the washer with no worries. It can also be spin-dried at a low temperature.”

The V-Blanket is available in khaki, purple, or green. For an extra $10, you can add on a pretty nice feature: making the hood heated, too. You can learn more and pre-order one for yourself at Kickstarter.

The post Move Over, Snuggie: the Heated Convertible V-Blanket Cape is Here first appeared on Dornob.

The self-described “car tent” mounts to the top of your car via a set of built-in suction cups. It takes about 30 seconds to set up, first by positioning it over your vehicle and then by lowering the lever that applies the suction.

Once you’re done, your car will totally be totally safe from the sap, pine needles, and leaves that would otherwise fall onto it whenever you parked near or under a tree. On scorching hot days, the umbrella’s reflective material will also keep the interior of your car cooler. Its canvas and high-strength fiberglass structure is so strong, in fact, the company claims that a brick dropped from a roof would bounce right off, offering protection from whatever might fall from the sky. Acid rain, bird droppings, and dirt easily rinse off its exterior coating, too.

Set up the Lanmodo right before a big snowstorm hits, and you can be the first one out of the neighborhood the next morning. Not only does it keep the snow from collecting on your car, but it also has an add-on vibrating feature that physically shakes snow off the umbrella to keep it from accumulating. You’ll find that this feature also works great with hail, sleet, and even the icicles of freezing rain. Special straps slide down over your side mirrors to keep it perfectly in place during strong winds (up to 30 mph), with another set looping directly into your car doors to prevent theft. Adjustable heights allow you to customize the car tent to meet your specific needs, opening and closing it from a safe distance with the help of a handy remote control.

The Lanmodo is battery-powered, but it can run on a single charge for up to 45 days, so you’ll never have to worry about it draining out frequently. The umbrella even boasts a few charging ports of its own for you to use as power sources during your road trips and camping adventures.

In addition to protecting the surface of your car, the Lanmodo offers an add-on pop out canopy on one side that can be used as a roof for personal protection from bad weather. If you want to use the umbrella even further away from your car, you’ll be happy to hear that it can also be transformed into a freestanding shelter using yet a set of flaps built into its sides.

The all-weather car umbrella is available in several different colors and patterns, but if you really feel like it, you can get your company logo or favorite sports team printed on the canvas. Unfortunately, the Lanmodo’s design does not currently cover the complete length of every vehicle (such as long trucks), so you’ll find it best to research the options available to you before committing to any one model. You should also keep in mind that the car tent won’t stick to soft car tops.

The post This Giant Umbrella Protects Your Car from Bad Weather first appeared on Dornob.

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While high-tech solutions like sophisticated thermal control systems will go a long way toward helping Australians weather these changes, architects can also learn from simpler techniques that have already been in use for centuries, like natural ventilation, sun screens, and thermal mass.

“Waverly House” in Sydney offers a beautiful example of just how effective these simple solutions can be. Designed by Anderson Architecture, this contemporary residence utilizes a range of clever tricks to keep cool, make the most of a small plot of land, and avoid towering over its neighbors all at the same time.

“Optimal climate control can make any home a haven,” explain the architects. “With one half of the client couple hailing from the UK, our brief for a new house was clear. They wanted a light-filled, comfortable family home, with easy access to the great Aussie backyard and thermal performance that would minimize reliance on artificial heating and cooling year round. Thermal modeling proved our combination of passive and active design measures could achieve an eight-star performance rating. And all of this in a two-story residence whose living zone would need to face the hot afternoon sun.”

A bulky neighbor to the north blocked light to the building site, so the architects designed a light-seeking two-story form with a terrace on the shaded side and a double-height living room on the sunnier end. The large window within this void might allow too much heat into the home if not for a set of smart louvered shades that sense the temperature outside and adjust themselves automatically, screening the room when needed or allowing more light in at cooler times. A slanted, folding roof on the south side of the house gives the living area a cozy feel and helps illuminate the opposite neighbor’s home.

The upper-level terrace is a breezy indoor/outdoor space with a handy shape-shifting trick of its own. A moving roof rolls out to cover it in the event of rain or harsh sunlight, and the best part is it can be deployed via smartphone. The glazing in the lower-level living room can also be opened entirely to the outdoors when conditions allow.

The architects add: “Thermally broken, low-e windows were a cost-effective eco-friendly architecture measure for high thermal performance throughout the home, and air quality was considered, too, with low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) finishes throughout. Solar-powered, hydronic, underfloor heating adds extra warmth to this home’s hub in winter but, in reality, this is rarely needed.”

“The concrete floor’s thermal mass, combined with the building’s reverse brick veneer construction means indoor temperatures remain stable in all but the most extreme of weather conditions, even without eaves or overhangs.”

Waverley House proves that heat-resistant homes don’t have to have thick, ungainly walls, low profiles, and small windows to be comfortable in the Australian summer. Retaining its connection to its beautiful surroundings, this home radiates optimism and a willingness to adapt.

The post Eco-Friendly Waverley House Beats the Hot Australian Sun first appeared on Dornob.

The Xstrada comes in three different styles, which is probably why the company seems so confident when it says that every rider will find a model to suit their particular needs and preferences. Order it as a single speed cruiser or as an 11-speed superbike. Feel the need for speed? Or perhaps you’re a delivery biker and need to get hot food from point A to point B in a hurry? “Amp up the power and further your range with our high-torque 52v/35ah (3 kw) electric mid-drive, which can propel you to speeds in excess of 40 mph with a 35-plus-mile range,” the company says.

The XStrada designers tested and prototyped many different frame styles before deciding on an inverted suspension fork. “Our Nitrogen-charged fork contains a titanium spring/MCU polymer stack, CNC machined crowns, fully adjustable pre-load/dampening and rebound, through axle, and 7.5-inch travel,” they explain. That translates to a comfortable ride that handles bumps of all sizes and tight turns with smooth and steady traction.

The frame is made with 7000 series double-butted alloy tubing (an aerospace staple), and it certainly hits the sweet spot between durability and weight considerations.

If you currently ride a traditional mountain bike, you know that challenging terrain can be just too much for it too handle sometimes. The XStrada was designed to take over in those exact situations, when its ground-hugging super-wide tires and lightweight alloy wheel set come fully into their own. You get a lot more traction without having to pay for it in extra weight.

So just how much do these bikes weigh? The standard XS1 clocks in at 27 pounds, while the XS11 weighs 32. Of course, when you add electric power to it, the weight goes up, but it’s offset by…that same electric power! The E-XS1 hits 53 pounds on the scales, while the E-XS11 weighs 57.

The electric models are powered by a rechargeable battery pack equipped with Samsung lithium cells. Since you’ll be riding the bike in ridiculous types of weather, you’ll be happy to hear that it’s protected by a weatherproof casing. There’s an easy charging port on board, too, and you can boost the power output as you ride using “Pedal Assist” mode.

The electric option works with both the single and 11-speed styles, and if you’re not sure about investing in that extra power right now, it’s no problem: you can always order it later and be guaranteed that it’ll fit your frame.

You can track your speed and miles via the color LCD computer on the XStrada’s GPS throttle unit. This device also controls the master power switch, pedal assistance, and “Throttle” mode. And don’t worry about someone zooming off with your ride — each XStrada throttle comes with a master key.

The post XStrada Ultra Fat Bike: The All-Season, All-Terrain Superbicycle first appeared on Dornob.

Most people don’t make a connection between space travel and the fabric used to make their clothes. OROS Apparel, however, depends on its proprietary “NASA-inspired insulation technology” for its high-end outerwear.

The designers say that their jackets are thinner and warmer than those of their competitors and that they even incorporate built-in four-way-stretch material to provide maximum flexibility for active people. 

OROS developed its unique “SolarCore” material by studying NASA and its pioneering use of high-tech fabrics. The company then used its research to invent its own aerogel based on the insulation technology used in space shuttles and astronauts’ suits. Its designers explain: “SolarCore is a breathable insulation that maintains its thermal performance both under compression and when wet, something your old goose-down jacket can’t compete against” — and as hikers and other outdoorsy types can attest to, breathability is key to keeping dry and comfortable on winter adventures.

Want to see how an OROS jacket stands up to extreme cold? The design team took one over to a warehouse to conduct exactly that experiment. One brave soul wore the jacket while the other team members blasted them with liquid nitrogen, bringing its outside temperature down to a staggering -321 degrees Fahrenheit. Thankfully, the OROS guinea pig in the jacket was still nice and warm — the temperature inside the jacket registered a comfortable 89 degrees.

We doubt that you’ll ever need protection from cold that severe, but OROS gear will certainly make any icy blasts of windchill feel like things of the past.

We’ve mentioned the OROS jackets, but it’s important to note that the company actually offers two different styles of outerwear: The “Orion” parka “is [their] warmest, toughest piece, built and tested to conquer the world’s harshest environments.” It has a waterproof shell, sealed arms, and is equipped with SolarCore insulation throughout. You’ll probably be taking things like gloves, sunglasses, and your phone with you wherever you go, so you’ll also appreciate the parka’s six exterior and two interior pockets. Plus, we like the fact that you can detach the hood if the need arises.

The “Discovery” jacket, a model that’s a little lighter than the Orion, is wind-resistant and water-repellent. It has SolarCore insulation built into its body sections and synthetic insulation in the sleeves. Think of it as the jacket you’ll grab for that quick walk to the grocery store or a casual hike in the fall or winter. We see it as the perfect piece of commuter outerwear.
OROS also makes vests and mid-layers like fleeces and quarter-zip tops look great under other jackets or on their own in milder weather. Runners and cyclists will no doubt love their comfortable fit, flat seams, and overall breathability.

To make things even better, your legs can also enjoy OROS’ SolarCore technology. The company has designed snow pants for all genders and insulated leggings specifically for women. The leggings are made for outdoor athletic pursuits, with the insulation and four-way stretch making them practical and stylish all at once.

“Practical,” “stylish,” and “warm” — pretty good words for winter apparel in our book.

The post Orion Parka: Warmest, Thinnest Survival Gear first appeared on Dornob.

Available in manual or automatic models that you either slide open on rails or push a button to retract, these glass and polycarbonate swimming pool enclosures can open all the way on warm, sunny days or close completely for a greenhouse effect. That makes them a lot more versatile (and aesthetically pleasing) than indoor pools, which tend to be dark and musty. And if you’ve ever huddled in an outdoor hot tub in the rain, enjoying the warm water but wishing for a roof, you’ll appreciate the genius of dome-shaped spa covers.

Of course, in addition to their main function as pool covers, these retractable enclosures are great for creating weather-resistant outdoor spaces for lounging, dining, and housing children’s play equipment.

Libart Freestanding Pool Cover

This traditional home on the coast of Maine overlooks the beautiful Casco Bay, so why wouldn’t the owners want to spend as much time in the yard as possible? Known for being quite blustery, this New England location isn’t exactly hospitable for year-round outdoor recreation. To make their backyard more versatile, the owners purchased a stunning retractable freestanding pool enclosure from Turkey-based company Libart. Now, their hot tub and fiberglass pool can be enjoyed regardless of the weather, without having to worry about the cover’s minimalist, transparent walls obstructing the stunning views.

Round Dome-Shaped Orient Pool Cover

Perfect for round swimming pools and hot tubs alike, the “Orient” style pool cover by Pool & Spa Enclosures has a bit of a futuristic look and comes in your choice of frame color, from silver to cobalt to faux wood. You have to admit, they look pretty cool. These domes are just as decorative as they are functional.

Aquacomet Pool Enclosures

Extra-wide, rounded, angular, and domed. An Estonian company called Aquacomet offers virtually every configuration of pool enclosure you can think of, all elegant and crystalline, displayed in photos that will make you long for a Mediterranean vacation. These manual retractable pool covers have handles on their sides so you can easily slide them open on their rails, and they’re made of aluminum and polycarbonate.

Abrisud Wall-Mounted Pool Enclosure

This lean-to pool cover design attaches directly to an adjacent structure, creating an attractive arched shape reminiscent of Victorian conservatories. The difference is that these panels aren’t fixed in place. The benefit of a lean-to enclosure is being able to enter directly from the house without first having to step out into less-than-ideal weather conditions. It’s hard not to daydream about lounging in a bikini with a tropical drink in hand while it’s snowing just beyond the glass.

The post Endless Summer: These Retractable Pool Covers Let You Swim Year-Round first appeared on Dornob.

Cue the Siesta4, a cool (literally) new tent that’s bringing comfort to campers everywhere.

Entrepreneurs from Australia, America, and England pooled their collective experience and passion for the outdoors in the form of Outback Logic, a company that would go on to partner with the top names in fabric, tent, and specialist coating design to develop the Siesta4, a one-of-a-kind heat-reflective, light-blocking tent. The four-person tent is capable of keeping out all the elements, including sand, dirt, sun, wind, and rain.

Gareth Price is the innovator behind the Siesta4, which Outback Logic says is made from “specially developed lightweight, durable, waterproof fly fabric that reflects infrared, visible, and ultraviolet light. Compared to typical nylon and polyester tents, the Siesta4 is dramatically cooler and darker inside when in direct sun.” The company says you’ll get plenty of sleep and wake up naturally in the Siesta4, rather than being woken up when the sun blasts in your face early in the morning.

The Siesta4 is made of a breathable polyester fabric, weighing in at just under 18 pounds and boasting 64 square feet of interior space and two vestibule areas for a total footprint of 96 square feet. The roof is five feet high at its peak, and the tent features two doors for easy access and ventilation. Set-up is easy, the designers swear. There are only four aluminum poles to assemble, and since you can store the Siesta4 with the inner tent clipped in, it’s a breeze to put up and put away. Just stake out the corners, and you’re all set.

Now, how do you stay cool and dry inside?

“Our unique design allows extra airflow between the fly and inner tent to keep you cooler in the sun and to help prevent condensation in cold weather,” the company explains.

Plus, the fly completely shades the inner tent. We personally love the fact that you can keep the Siesta4’s doors closed for privacy yet still have good airflow throughout the interior. Mesh vents in the tent’s walls and roof (with covers, of course) promote cross-ventilation, and you can adjust the door openings however you like to achieve the best circulation.

Then there are the optional fans. Yes, fans. Ultra-quiet 8-inch USB fans provide good airflow even when the tent’s doors are fully closed. They do this via a clever fabric duct that connects the inner tent wall to the fly.

As people who’ve experienced soggy nights camping in thunderstorms, we wanted to know how the Siesta4 would fare in bad weather. “The full-length fly and closable mesh give excellent protection when the weather turns nasty,” the company says. “It gives far better protection, in fact, than a three-season tent. We’ll even go so far as to claim the Siesta4 is the most versatile tent ever made!”

The Siesta4 sold out of a summer run earlier this year, though pre-orders are currently being taken for the next batch.

The post Siesta4: The Durable All-Weather Heat and Light-Blocking Tent first appeared on Dornob.

During the day, this Japanese home is deceptively cool – a white structure that blends into the billowing snow drifts on all sides. At night, it gives off a stunningly warm glow, which reflects its mission: to provide cozy heat in the coldest of places.

Kengo Kuma created this experimental structure called “Même House” on the north island of Japan, known for its blistering chilly winters, and uses traditional principles and concepts with modern materials and techniques.

For starters, its translucency works both ways – its occupants wake with the sun. It also works with distributed heat, based around historical prototypes in which the central hearth was never allowed to go out, and provided warmth by keeping the floor warm at all times (in this version: radiant heating).

But that is just the beginning – contemporary techniques take it past these traditions: “We wrapped a wooden frame made of Japanese larch with a membrane material of polyester fluorocarbon coating. The inner part is covered with removable glass-fiber-cloth membrane. Between the two membranes, a polyester insulator recycled from PET bottles is inserted that penetrates the light. This composition is based on the idea that by convecting the air in between, the internal environment could be kept comfortable because of the circulation.”

More from the architect Kengo Kuma

“We do not treat insulation within the thickness of heat-insulation material only, which was a typical attitude of the static environmental engineering in 20th century. What we aim at is a dynamic environmental engineering to replace it for this age. That we utilize the radiant heat from the floor is part of it, and it has been verified that you could spend several days in winter here without using floor heating.”

“The other reason we covered the house with membrane material was our longing for a life surrounded by natural light, as if you were wrapped in daylight on the grassland. Without relying on any lighting system, you simply get up when it gets light, and sleep after dark – we expect this membrane house enables you to lead a life that synchronizes the rhythm of the nature.”

The post Glowing Japanese Home Wrapped in a Sheer Membrane first appeared on Dornob.

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Designed with truly exotic destinations in mind, these all-purpose igloo cabin shelters for researchers, explorers or eco-tourists are made to withstand the worst weather the world can throw at them.

If you have to temporarily live in a hostile environment, the Igloo Cabin might just be what you’re looking for.

“The Igloo Satellite Cabin is designed to provide safe, reliable accommodation in remote areas. It has been used … in conditions ranging from the tropics to polar icecaps. Units can be flown by helicopter fully assembled, and often fully equipped, to locations inaccessible by road transport.”

Various extensions, additions and modifications have been built to purpose by Ice Wall (oddly, an Australian company!) for particular challenges as well. These include a smaller variant – the PolyPod Snowcamper – which can be pulled behind an ATV or perhaps even a dogsled.

They’re truly multipurpose, highly portable and also pretty cute.

“Each wall and floor panel is a composite of fibreglass and polyurethane insulation …. Windows are double-glazed polycarbonate panes, which are shockproof. Floor panels have a non-skid surface, and are bolted to wall panels and to each other. Each cabin has two ventilators, one in each door and top cover.”

“Whether you cater for high-end tourists or backpackers, consider choosing Igloo Satellite Cabins to suit your customers’ accommodation needs. From over 30 years use in Antarctica, Igloos have a reputation for leaving a minimal impact on the environment, and if secured according to instructions, an Igloo will last over twenty years, providing you with a long-term investment.”

“Do you cater for customers wanting an exclusive retreat in a remote location? Igloos can be fitted out to suit this request and flown in by helicopter, ready to occupy. Do your customers want to explore the area while someone else prepares meals? Fly in another Igloo set up as a kitchen. Use more Igloos for other facilities if required.”

The post Portable Prefab Igloo Cabins first appeared on Dornob.

Some of us go to great lengths to forget how drab it is outside our home on a rainy day, but for those who want to celebrate the sunless sky, this device brings the weather to you. Developed by experimental Swiss studio Micasa Lab, the Nebula 12 is a cloud lamp connected to wifi that produces its own puffs of steam to mimic the weather outside.

Of course, it works for daylight-lovers as well, in its way, changing color over the course of our daily solar cycle to the transitions from reddish sunrise to purple sunsets.

“Nebula 12 can, like a natural cloud, change in color and brightness and thus can be used as a variable source of light for romantic evening meals, when doing homework, when reading or just chatting.”

Tapped into the outside world via wifi, The Nebula 12 remixes liquid nitrogen and hot water, then uses suction to keep it in place. And for those who wish to mix things up a bit, it can be manually controlled as well, or tied into the news (good for sun, bad for clouds) and so forth, too.

“In the standard mode, Nebula 12 predicts the weather for the next 48 hours. A threatening low-pressure area is announced by a red cloud, and sunshine is shown in yellow. At the same time, the user can adjust the settings and define the source of information themselves. And the best is: regardless of how dark the cloud is, Nebula 12 never brings any rain. At least, not within one’s own four walls.”

One has to wonder how it affects the feel of your home to have a cloud of liquid nitrogen steam hanging out all the time – could it produce humidity issues? But as a novelty, it’s pretty creative, and a fun way to impress your guests.

The post Lamp Made of Steam Responds to the Weather Outside first appeared on Dornob.

When the seasons change, so do the characteristics we value most in our homes. Hot, sunny weather means that we need the walls to repel heat so that the interior stays nice and cool. Winter, of course, necessitates the opposite. It was never possible for one home to embody all of these characteristics until UK design team David Ben Grünberg and Daniel Woolfson tackled the problem.

Their creation is the Dynamic D*Haus, a home that actually moves and morphs according to the seasons. The house can move into eight different configurations – kind of like origami or a transforming toy, but on a massive scale.

This incredible house design was based on Henry Dudeney’s mathematical formula for turning a triangle into a square. This is achieved by splitting the equilateral triangle into four pieces which move and shift to form the square.

The house follows that principle with its four moving modules. As the shape of the building needs to change, the modules shift around and move on rails to form new shapes. Interior walls become exterior walls and vice versa, effectively changing the functionality of the house.

In addition to changing its shape based on the seasons, the Dynamic D*Haus would be able to rotate throughout the day to follow the sun, maximizing sun exposure and natural heating for the residents.

The only drawback to a home that changes shape and orientation so regularly is the fact that it would be incredibly disorienting. Imagine the living room being next to the kitchen one day and on the opposite side of the house the next. The designers are still working out these kinks in practicality; perhaps the answer will simply be that only truly adventurous souls can inhabit these morphing homes.

“Conceived for the harsh, climatic extremes from ‘Lapland to Cape Horn and Aleutians to Auckland’ The D*Haus concept can respond dynamically to its environment by controlled adaptation to seasonal, meteorological and astronomical conditions.”

“The flexibility of the D*Haus allows adaptation from winter to summer, and day to night by literally moving inside itself. The thick heavy external walls unfold into internal walls allowing glass internal walls to become facades. Doors become windows and vice versa.”

The post Morphing House Shape Shifts to Maximize Light first appeared on Dornob.

Most portable dwellings are made to roam a range of climates, but few can boast winter-proofing like the Leaf House, a $50K model made to take anything the tundra can through at it and keep on rolling.

Designed by Laird Herbert, the structure has an aesthetic that matches its season-sensitive goals, looking rather like a modular combination of trailer-home elements and log-cabin materials, mixing metal and cedar wood siding. The sloped roof provides for a lofted sleeping space, but is also critical for shedding snow in northern environments.

But beyond its appearance, it also features a great deal of in-wall insulation as well as triple-paned windows and other features made to help keep things warm in the worst conditions. Traditional and cozy detailing extends inside to stone floor tiles and a vintage gas range, contributing to the sense that one is snuggled up inside a cabin-esque retreat.

Laird explains some of his thoughts on the project at Tiny House Blog:

“This is my second tiny home that I have built. I lived in one full-time for a year over the winter and sold it last spring. I’m 28 years old and have lived in the Yukon for the past five. I am pretty happy puttering away building things. I’d much rather do this then sit in a cubicle! My passion is actually the design, that’s what I enjoy the most. So I’m diving into it full-time (hopefully) and will be building two more this summer (one for myself and another to sell), under Leaf House, which is my new company named after the famed Leaf House on Hornby Island which is where I spent my summers as a kid.”

“Anyway, I hope you enjoy this northern rendition of a tiny house! It is much more challenging build tiny houses in an extreme winter climate. I’ve learned quite a bit about what you need to do when it’s -40 outside and your space is 160 ft2. I’ve also learned that it is a lot more expensive to build things in the North!”

The post Log Cabin on Wheels Made for Winter first appeared on Dornob.

The time-worn adage about necessity and invention is one that may induce some eye-rolling, but it is undeniably true. This is particularly the case in arctic zones which are often extremely inhospitable to humans – yet we as a species continue to venture there in order to learn about our world. Arctic architecture is highly durable by necessity, and when it’s prefab and mobile to boot, its versatility is enhanced, allowing it to adapt to all kinds of conditions and situations.

To support the mission of these intrepid Arctic explorers, 2-B-2 Architecture designed the Arctic Mobile Unit. The small pre-fab unit provides life support for three people for up to 15 days. Researchers would share the tiny living quarters for short-term treks; any longer and they are likely to get a bit annoyed with each other. Each AMU is 6.5 feet X 5.25 feet X 7.5 feet, making it just big enough to eat, sleep and shower in.

Like any well-designed tiny living space, the AMU is designed to use space efficiently. One of the sleeping bunks turns into a table and chairs for two while the toilet sits inside of the shower enclosure.

For ease of moving, the AMU is partially collapsible. When on the move, the unit is compact and unhindered by protuberances. After arriving at its destination, certain parts of the pod pull out to offer a slightly expanded (though still remarkably tiny) interior space.

It might be hard to imagine sharing such a small space with more than one other person, but extreme environments often call for sacrifices. At least this odd little arctic hut has some fun retro ’70s aesthetics and cheerful colors to help make the situation more bearable, and if you’re a scientist living in the arctic in the first place, you’re probably too invested in your work to worry too much about your accommodations. Or at least, one would imagine.

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