ECOLOGY AND ENERGY PRODUCTION

ECOLOGY AND ENERGY PRODUCTION

Thursday, March 8, 2018



'Invisible' self-sustaining house that disappears into its surroundings using mirrored walls will go on sale next year for £32,000

  • 'Disappear retreat' is an 83-square-foot (8-square-metre) lightweight above covered with glass
  • On the outside the glass is reflective, acting like giant mirrors so the entire unit disappears into its landscape 
  • Minimalist, self-sufficient tiny house is designed to help rejuvenate its occupant's mind and creativity
  • Architect plans to build try-before-you-buy prototypes in a forest near Grand Marais, Minnesota, next year
An architecture firm has designed a minimalist, self-sufficient tiny house that aims to help rejuvenate its occupant's mind and creativity - and it even disappears into the landscape, giving you the ultimate hideaway.
'Disappear retreat' is an 83-square-foot (eight-square-metre), glass-covered abode designed by architect Carly Coulson.
The £32,000 ($45,000) getaway camouflages into its surroundings using mirrored-glass walls and leaves a minimal environmental footprint through its zero energy, zero waste and zero water philosophy.
Ms Coulson plans to build try-before-you-buy prototypes in a forest in her native Minnesota before selling the eco-retreats to customers next year.

An architecture firm has created a minimalist, self-sufficient tiny house (artist's impression) to help rejuvenate its occupant's mind and creativity - and it even disappears into the landscape giving you the ultimate hideaway. On the outside they are reflective, acting like giant mirrors so the entire unit disappears into its landscape
An architecture firm has created a minimalist, self-sufficient tiny house (artist's impression) to help rejuvenate its occupant's mind and creativity - and it even disappears into the landscape giving you the ultimate hideaway. On the outside they are reflective, acting like giant mirrors so the entire unit disappears into its landscape
The design is centred on maximising sustainability and reducing energy consumption, which is aided by glass walls that are triple pane insulated to hold in heat.
On the outside they are reflective, acting like giant mirrors so the entire unit disappears into its landscape. Its designer claims the glass's 'transparent ultraviolet colour' stops wildlife from running into the walls.
Disappear retreat features spotted-patterned thin-film solar cells installed on the outside of its south wall, which Ms Coulson, CEO of architectural firm Coulson, claims can generate all the energy the house requires. 
Its compact size reduces the home's surface area, reducing unwanted heat loss, the firm said in a statement.
A glass roof allows natural light in during the day - meaning residents will rarely need to use the building's interior lights - and provides stunning views of the starry sky at night.
Three models are currently up for pre-order, each with different interior designs, including a 'bed+bath' configuration with a built-in bed, bathroom and kitchen, a 'basic model' with an open-plan iteration, and even a 'sauna model' with wooden benches and sauna systems. 
'Disappear retreat' is an 83-square-foot (eight-square-metre), glass-covered abode designed by architect Carly Coulson, who plans to build try-before-you-buy prototypes in a forest in Minnesota next year
'Disappear retreat' is an 83-square-foot (eight-square-metre), glass-covered abode designed by architect Carly Coulson, who plans to build try-before-you-buy prototypes in a forest in Minnesota next year
The design is centred on maximising sustainable features and reducing energy consumption, which is aided by glass walls that are triple pane insulated to hold in heat
The design is centred on maximising sustainable features and reducing energy consumption, which is aided by glass walls that are triple pane insulated to hold in heat
Disappear retreat features spotted-patterned thin-film solar cells installed on the outside of its south wall (pictured), which Ms Coulson, CEO of architectural firm 'Coulson', claims can generate all the energy the house requires
Disappear retreat features spotted-patterned thin-film solar cells installed on the outside of its south wall (pictured), which Ms Coulson, CEO of architectural firm 'Coulson', claims can generate all the energy the house requires
A glass roof allows natural light in during the day - meaning residents will rarely need to use the building's interior lights - and provides stunning views of the starry sky at night
A glass roof allows natural light in during the day - meaning residents will rarely need to use the building's interior lights - and provides stunning views of the starry sky at night
The project was initially announced in mid 2017, with prototype testing and evaluation to be revealed later in 2018.
The plan is to build a collection of prototypes in a forest near Grand Marais, Minnesota. Potential buyers will be able to try out the designs via overnight stays at these test-builds, Coulson said.
It is expected that Disappear Retreats will be available for purchase from 2019 and pre-order enquiries are open now.
The plan is to build a collection of prototypes in a forest near Grand Marais, Minnesota, that would act as information-centres on sustainable building
The plan is to build a collection of prototypes in a forest near Grand Marais, Minnesota, that would act as information-centres on sustainable building
Coulson, which says it is intent on keeping these designs 'attainable to all', has priced its designs between £18,000 ($25,000) and £32,000 ($45,000)
Coulson, which says it is intent on keeping these designs 'attainable to all', has priced its designs between £18,000 ($25,000) and £32,000 ($45,000)
It is expected that Disappear Retreats will be available for purchase from 2019 and pre-order enquiries are open now. Pictured is the firm's 'bed+bath' configuration with a built-in bed, bathroom (pictured) and kitchen
It is expected that Disappear Retreats will be available for purchase from 2019 and pre-order enquiries are open now. Pictured is the firm's 'bed+bath' configuration with a built-in bed, bathroom (pictured) and kitchen
Coulson, which says it is intent on keeping its designs 'attainable to all', has priced them between £18,000 ($25,000) and £32,000 ($45,000).
The firm said: 'Our passion for the environment is not just technical, but extends to the experience of nature, which is an essential inspiration in our design work and life.
'We want to insinuate into the landscape and live seamlessly and lightly with its mysterious beauty. This is the starting objective for this project.'
Three models are currently up for pre-order, each with different interior designs, including a 'basic model' with an open-plan iteration, and even a 'sauna model' (pictured) with wooden benches and sauna systems
Three models are currently up for pre-order, each with different interior designs, including a 'basic model' with an open-plan iteration, and even a 'sauna model' (pictured) with wooden benches and sauna systems
Architectural firm Coulson said in a statement: 'Our passion for the environment is not just technical, but extends to the experience of nature, which is an essential inspiration in our design work and life'
Architectural firm Coulson said in a statement: 'Our passion for the environment is not just technical, but extends to the experience of nature, which is an essential inspiration in our design work and life'

WHAT WILL CLIMATE CHANGE DO TO OUR OCEANS?

Climate change will contribute to ocean acidification, according to the National Ocean Service.
This change can be attributed to higher levels of greenhouse gases emerging as a result of human activities.
Climate change affects the ocean in a variety of ways.
A new study has found that methane flares in a region off the coast of Norway are not caused by climate change as was previously assumed. However scientists are warning that the man-made effects of climate change are still persisting (file photo)
A new study has found that methane flares in a region off the coast of Norway are not caused by climate change as was previously assumed. However scientists are warning that the man-made effects of climate change are still persisting (file photo)
It can cause sea levels to rise and coral in the sea to be smothered.
Climate change can also affect the ocean's currents and cause 'murky' water conditions with reduced amounts of light, according to the National Ocean Service.
The organization has provided the following tips for lowering the amount of damage done to the oceans:
  • Eat sustainable seafood. 
  • Refrain from dumping household chemicals into storm drains. 
  • Drive as little as possible.
  • Recycle.
  • Print less.
  • Help with beach cleanups.

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