Ecocapsule Launched – One Year After Building Its Prototype

ECOCAPSULE

Nice Architects from Bratislava unveiled its Ecocapsule in May 2015 at the Pioneers festival in Vienna. It is probably the most self-sufficient mobile accommodation. As announced in mid-2015, it is possible to order this innovative option for independent housing from now on. Delivery of this series is limited to European Union and associated countries, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and will start in 2016. Customers will get Ecocapsule not later than end of Q1 2017.

Fifty Ecocapsules are initially available for EUR 79,900 each. The price includes warranty and service costs for a certain period of time. “Our mission is to offer first-class product to all our future customers. Most of the technologies we use are still rapidly evolving, but year 2016 is perfect for Ecocapsule to be finally born,” says Igor Zacek, CEO of the project. For those who are patient, can reserve this cute house and wait for a better price. In addition, bulk orders are possible, too.

The Ecocapsule team has also published an exhaustive Frequently Asked Questions document and Technical specifications, providing comprehensible answers on most typical inquiries, such as undercarriage availability, shipping costs or network connection.

The compact mobile house weighs approximately 1.9 tons with full water tanks and can go off-grid under specific conditions and in specific environments. It was designed as a self-contained system which is able to sustain long periods of time without external resources. Something in terms of Swiss-army knife. The high efficient 2,6 m² solar cells (rated output: 600 Watt) and a silent wind turbine (rated output: 750 Watt) provides electricity for the capsule dwellers, all onboard systems or the rechargeable 9,744 watt-hour battery.

Thermal losses are reduced through a thick layer of efficient thermal insulation (R=min. 6.5) and energy recuperation. The windows with hardened security glass (triple glass, U=min. 0,6) are covered with colored polycarbonate. The round shape helps to collect rain water and series of membrane filters are allowing to fill tanks from any natural water source. Organic waste is collected in the composting toilet. Manual water pumps were installed as a backup system for the unlike case of depleted battery. All these small tricks together are creating a system able to sustain without resources for long periods. According to the company, two adults are able to live on roughly 8.2 square meters (gross floor area).

The capsule can be quickly shipped and used as an urban dwelling for singles in the high-rent, high-income areas like Tokyo or New York. It can be placed on the rooftop, if possible, or vacant parking lots, if available, and substitute studios for a longer period of time.

Ecocapsule was founded by Igor Zacek, Sona Pohlova and Tomas Zacek. The first prototype is currently to be seen near Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia.