This Space-Age Pod Wants to Be Your New ADU, Office, or Off-Grid Micro-Home
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Ecocapsule began in 2009 with Soňa Pohlová and Tomáš Žáček’s entry into an architecture competition for mobile, energy-efficient housing. Their submission did not win, but it garnered enough interest that the pair chose to move forward with the idea they came up with anyway. By 2017, they had shrunk the design to a quarter of its original size to create a bean-shaped living space with off-grid capabilities. Here, Soňa tells us about how the Ecocapsule works and what’s next for the company.
The Ecocapsule tiny home features an extendable wind turbine that generates power, which is stored by an on-board battery. The unit can harvest rainwater, and a built-in filtration system can purify anything sourced from rivers or lakes.
What qualities make the Ecocapsule stand apart from other prefabs?
The Ecocapsule is a smart, self-sustainable micro-unit, which utilizes solar and wind energy. It allows you to stay in remote places out of reach of infrastructure, with the luxury of a hotel room. We have engineered the product from scratch to be as self-sufficient, practical, and functional as possible. The Ecocapsule has the best possible shape for collecting rainwater and minimizing thermal losses. It’s also capable of efficient power generation (up to 1.35 kilowatts) and storage (a 9.7 kWh battery pack). In most locations these external sources of water and electricity will not be necessary—you can connect Ecocapsule to the grid as well.
Though the Ecocapsule is designed for sites without infrastructure, it can also connect to hookups for use as a backyard home or office.
What does an Ecocapsule cost and what does that pricing include?
Our first generation Ecocapsule is priced at €99,900 before taxes. All features are included except the trailer.
The pod comes with a kitchenette, a half-bath, a stowable table, and fold-out bed. The unit also features a smart home system, water boiler, and an HVAC system.
The fiberglass shell comes in eight different finishes, while there are four options for the plywood, and three for the vinyl floors.
Where do you ship/where is the pod currently available?
Ecocapsules can be shipped to any port or to exact location. We can ship two Ecocapsules in a standard shipping container with a well-known international shipping company. The delivery time depends on the required location. In Europe, the Ecocapsules may be shipped by cargo trucks.
The walls and partitions can be coated in laminate to improve insulation.
Are there plans to expand to different parts of the world?
Our first generation limited edition was shipped only within the European Union, as well as Japan and the U.S. However, we are open to requests from customers anywhere. We have already sold Ecocapsules in the Caribbean, and Kazakstan, for example. With our upcoming design, the NextGen, we plan to expand to other markets, such as Australia.
The unit boasts plenty of storage, with closets, cubbies, and cabinets tucked away all around the fold-out bed and table.
How long can a client expect the process to take after they put down a deposit?
When you order, it usually takes three to six months to produce the Ecocapsule, depending on whether you customized it. Afterward, it will be shipped directly to your location.
Ecocapsules are shipped in crates when headed overseas.
What aspects of an install do you manage?
The only modification required prior to install is to set the extendable wind turbine pole at its lowest position. When you arrive at your destination with the Ecocapsule, you just extend the pole to its maximum height, and you’re all set.
Ecocapsule also designs custom trailers for anyone interested in using the prefab as an RV. Photo courtesy of Ecocapsule®
What aspects of the design can a client customize?
We can customize aspects such as the finish and color of its exterior, the floor, and the equipment listed as "extras" in our catalogue.
What’s next for Ecocapsule?
After selling out our first series, the company is introducing a new and improved iteration—the Ecocapsule NextGen. Based on users’ feedback from the first series, the second integrates new technological and design elements, making the micro-units even more energy independent and easier to service. The latest model will also provide more interior storage space. We are currently working on the NextGen and plan to produce it by mid-2024.
The pod can also be airlifted into position with two hooks on its roof.
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