It looks like a disco prop for a photo shoot, but Basque designer Martin Azua's experimental prototype for the Basic House is actually functional (and fun!).
Though it's billed as a portable "house," the Basic House is more like a cross between an emergency blanket and a tent. Made of metallic polyester, the lightweight structure folds neatly into a pocket when not in use. Take it out, and it reacts with body heat or heat from the sun to self-inflate and provide an instant shelter wherever the wind takes you.
The material allows heat to pass through and create an insulated and cozy cubby inside. But if it's a warm day, it's possible to turn the shelter inside out to deflect the sun.
Read More: Basic House is a Golden Self-Inflating Home That Fits in Your Pocket! at Inhabitat
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(Images: Martin Azua)
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This is something I could definitly use. I'll read more on it..thanks for the post.
This is wonderful! I can imagine it being a really handy thing to have when you go on hikes - just in case you run into inclement weather or get stranded and need a bit of shelter for the evening. I wonder if it's waterproof?
rofl... 'provide an instant shelter wherever the wind takes you'
exactly.. take a look at the second photo.. while this is interesting.. its blowing in the wind in the second photo.. so while it looks like a good idea..
I'm not sure it would be somewhere you really want to be..
@Resident Geek, I noticed that too, but if someone is inside weighing it down, then it's better than being totally exposed. I think it'd be great to add to an emergency kit.
This could be wonderful for hiking in places where extreme weather changes can make a simple walk turn dangerous. I love this kind of creative thinking.
Although, my husband, who I called over to look at it, has just told me that if the euro crashes, we may have to consider living in one : ) I trust it won't come to that.
These have been around at least 20 years in the hiking community - http://stuckinthewoods.info/gear/bothy-bag/index.html
anyone interested in this should look up Bothy Bag: http://bit.ly/KxBZte
I have been carrying one for 7 years now in my safety kit for winter sports and kayaking.....